Assassin's Creed: Shadow of the Shogun is a sprawling adventure within the ever-expanding Assassin's Creed universe, a rich tapestry woven from centuries of history. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the franchise, this guide will equip you with everything you need to know.
The Assassin's Creed timeline is a vast journey across continents and eras, encompassing titles spanning centuries. Most Assassin's Creed games, particularly since Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, have maintained relatively independent storylines and settings. Assassin's Creed: Shadow of the Shogun, set in 16th-century Japan, is geographically and chronologically distant from titles like Brotherhood and Revelations (set in early 1500s Italy and Constantinople respectively), ensuring a self-contained narrative experience.
In the earlier days of the Assassin's Creed saga on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, a compelling modern-day storyline, featuring Desmond Miles (voiced by Nolan North), connected the games. However, in recent years, the modern-day narratives have taken a backseat. Assassin's Creed: Shadow of the Shogun introduces a fresh, intriguing modern-day storyline, independent of previous installments, allowing players to engage without prior knowledge of these elements. That said, the modern-day story in Shadow of the Shogun is subtle and unfolds gradually.
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While not a direct sequel, Assassin's Creed: Shadow of the Shogun subtly acknowledges the franchise's history with Easter eggs, imagery, and iconography that will resonate with longtime fans. However, these references are woven seamlessly into the narrative, ensuring accessibility for newcomers. The game stands alone perfectly well, but elements such as the Animus, the Brotherhood, and the Templars, key factions in the Assassin's Creed universe, do play a part in the narrative, though their significance unfolds gradually. This approach allows both new and returning players to fully immerse themselves in feudal Japan without feeling overwhelmed by prior knowledge.
Assassin's Creed: Shadow of the Shogun is available now on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
