Assassin’s Creed Shadows, developed by Ubisoft Quebec, is a stealth-action RPG set in feudal Japan, featuring dual protagonists: Naoe (a shinobi) and Yasuke (a historical Black samurai). After multiple delays from its original November 12, 2024, date—pushed to February 14, then finally April 20, 2025—Ubisoft aimed to polish it post-Star Wars Outlaws’ rocky reception. It launched with an 81/100 on OpenCritic and an 80% positive rating on Steam (“Very Positive”), but day-one player feedback reveals bugs and gripes.
Editions of Assassin’s Creed Shadows
1. Standard Edition
Editions and DLC Guide for Assassin's Creed Shadows
Standard Edition
Price: $69.99 / £59.99
Contents:
•Base game:
•Pre-order bonuses (if pre-ordered):
•“Thrown to the Dogs” Quest: A launch-day mission where you help a loyal dog avenge its master.
•Claws of Awaji DLC: Free access to the first expansion (detailed below).
Retailer Bonuses (Pre-order Specific):
•Target: Exclusive Steelbook case.
•Best Buy: Exclusive lithograph set.
•Amazon: Limited Edition with Naoe Sekiryu Character Pack (outfit, weapon, Sekiryu Beast mount, Dragon Tooth trinket).
•Walmart: Special Edition with unique cover art (no extra in-game items listed).
Note: Requires an online connection for installation but not gameplay. Physical PS5 copies use one disc, Xbox Series X uses two. Ideal for players wanting the core experience without extras. |
2. Deluxe Edition (Digital Only)
Editions and DLC Guide for Assassin's Creed Shadows
Deluxe Edition (Digital Only)
Price: $89.99 / £74.99
Contents:
•Base game:
•Pre-order bonuses (if pre-ordered): “Thrown to the Dogs” Quest and Claws of Awaji DLC.
•Sekiryu Dual Pack: Cosmetic gear sets for Naoe (katana, outfit) and Yasuke (weapon, armor), plus a Sekiryu Beast mount and Dragon Tooth trinket.
•Sekiryu Hideout Pack: Four unique ornaments to customize your Kakurega hideout.
•5 Mastery Points: Boosts early skill progression (e.g., assassination or combat perks).
Availability: PS5 (PlayStation Store), Xbox Series X|S (Xbox Store), PC (Ubisoft Store, Steam, Epic Games Store).
Note: A digital step-up for players wanting cosmetics and a progression kickstart. No physical copy exists. |
3. Collector’s Edition (GameStop Exclusive)
Editions and DLC Guide for Assassin's Creed Shadows
Collector’s Edition (GameStop Exclusive)
Price: $229.99 / £199.99 (originally $280, adjusted post-delay)
Contents:
•Everything in the Deluxe Edition (base game, pre-order bonuses, Sekiryu Dual Pack, Sekiryu Hideout Pack, 5 Mastery Points).
•Physical Items:
•Naoe and Yasuke statue (dual-character design).
•Steelbook case (unique to this edition).
•84-page artbook (trimmed from 92 pages after removing controversial artwork, per X posts).
•World map (physical).
•Two sumi-e art prints.
•Naoe’s Tanto replica (life-sized).
•Creed wall scroll.
Availability: PS5 (1 disc), Xbox Series X|S (2 discs), PC (digital code only).
Note: For hardcore fans craving physical swag. Stock’s limited—GameStop’s the only retailer. No early access included (scrapped with season pass). |
Ubisoft+ Premium Subscription
Editions and DLC Guide for Assassin's Creed Shadows
Ubisoft+ Premium Subscription
•Price: $17.99/month / £14.99/month
•Contents: Access to the Deluxe Edition (all digital content) while subscribed.
•Notes: Lose access if you cancel. Good for testing before buying outright.
DLC and Post-Launch Content
Launch DLC
Editions and DLC Guide for Assassin's Creed Shadows
DLC and Post-Launch Content
“Thrown to the Dogs” Quest:
•Availability: Free with any pre-order, included at launch (April 20, 2025).
•Details: A short side quest involving a dog-driven revenge plot. Adds flavor but not critical to the main story.
Claws of Awaji Expansion
Editions and DLC Guide for Assassin's Creed Shadows
Claws of Awaji Expansion
Release: Later in 2025 (no exact date yet—Ubisoft says “post-main game ending”).
Availability: Free with any pre-order; separate purchase price TBD for non-pre-orders.
Details:
•Setting: Awaji Island, a real-world location west of Osaka, steeped in mystery and traps.
•Story: Naoe and Yasuke hunt a lost treasure, facing the Sanzoku Ippa—a cunning new enemy faction.
•Content: Over 10 hours of gameplay, new gear, skills, and the Bō weapon (a staff for Naoe, focused on poking and beating).
Note: Takes place after the main game’s “definite ending,” per creative director Jonathan Dumont (GamesRadar, April 7, 2025). Described as “spookier” than the base game. |
Post-Launch Roadmap
•Current Plan: Ubisoft scrapped the season pass after the February delay, refunding pre-orders and bundling Claws of Awaji with all editions for free if pre-ordered. No second expansion is confirmed yet—player feedback will shape future DLC (GamesRadar, April 7).
•Speculation: Given Valhalla’s two-expansion model (Wrath of the Druids, Siege of Paris), a second DLC might emerge in 2026, possibly Yasuke-focused or tied to the Animus Hub. No official word yet.
•Updates: Day-one patch nerfed shrine destruction (after Japanese cultural backlash) and fixed minor bugs (Eurogamer, April 13). Expect regular patches—Ubisoft’s Discord hints at optimization tweaks soon.
Which Edition Should You Get?
•Standard: Best for casual players or those testing the waters. Pre-order perks make it a steal if you grab it early.
•Deluxe: Ideal for digital-first players wanting a cosmetic edge and faster progression without breaking the bank.
•Collector’s: For die-hard Assassin’s Creed fans who love physical collectibles—worth it if you’re in it for the long haul and can snag it before it sells out.
•Ubisoft+: Try-before-you-buy option; cancel anytime if it’s not your vibe.
Early Impressions and Caveats
Launched yesterday, Shadows faces bugs like audio cutouts and NPC pop-in (X posts, Steam forums), but its 81/100 OpenCritic score praises the dual-character depth. The lack of a season pass leaves DLC beyond Claws of Awaji uncertain—Ubisoft’s playing it nimble post-Star Wars Outlaws. Pre-orders still hold value with the free expansion, though some X users grumble about microtransactions (four premium armor sets at launch).
