Ubisoft was in desperate need of a hit, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows has delivered—at least for now. Just 15 hours after its launch on March 20, 2025, the game racked up over 1 million players across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The official Assassin’s Creed X account couldn’t hide their excitement: “It’s not even 4pm here in Canada and Assassin’s Creed Shadows has already passed 1 million players! Thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts for joining this adventure in Feudal Japan.” After years of delays, financial woes, and the lackluster launch of Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft finally has a reason to celebrate. Could this be their Game of the Year contender? Let’s break it down.
A Launch That’s Turning Heads
The numbers speak for themselves. On Steam, Assassin’s Creed Shadows hit a peak of 41,412 concurrent players on launch day (per SteamDB), blowing past Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (15,679) and Mirage (7,870). It’s currently the top-grossing game on Steam, outshining heavyweights like Monster Hunter Wilds. While Ubisoft hasn’t shared exact sales figures, this is their fastest-selling title in years—and it’s topping charts globally. For a company reeling from layoffs, studio closures, and takeover rumors involving the Guillemot family and Tencent, this feels like a lifeline.
What’s Driving the Hype?
Shadows brings a fresh twist to the franchise with dual protagonists: Naoe, a stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, a brute-force samurai. The open-world feudal Japan setting is a fan-favorite dream come true, complete with dynamic environments—think seasonal shifts, bustling castle towns, and serene shrines. It’s a polished evolution of the series’ formula, and critics are taking notice. With an 81 on Metacritic (beating Mirage’s 76 but trailing Valhalla’s 83), IGN’s 8/10 review praised it: “By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade.” Players agree—82% of nearly 4,000 Steam reviews are positive, focusing on gameplay over politics.
Controversy in Japan: A Bump in the Road
Not everything’s been smooth sailing. In Japan, the game stirred backlash over its depiction of temples and shrines, escalating to a government-level discussion. Politician Hiroyuki Kada raised concerns in a meeting, prompting a response from Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Ubisoft acted fast with a day-one patch to tweak these elements (details are vague), showing they’re listening—but it’s clear Shadows is under a microscope. Still, the player base seems unfazed, more caught up in slicing through enemies than slicing through the controversy.
Can Ubisoft Keep the Momentum?
This is a massive win for Ubisoft, no question. But here’s the catch: day-one buzz doesn’t guarantee long-term success. We’ve seen strong launches fizzle before—weekend sales and player retention will tell the real tale. The franchise still has pull, but Ubisoft’s track record of inconsistent quality looms large. If Shadows keeps players hooked, it could be the turnaround they’ve been praying for. If it stumbles, it’s just another fleeting high in a rocky decline. Game of the Year? It’s got a shot—stellar launch, solid reviews, and a hungry fanbase—but it’s too early to crown it.
For now, Ubisoft’s riding high. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a bold step forward, and the world’s watching to see if it’s a new chapter or just a flashy footnote. What do you think—can it go the distance?
