Assassin's Creed Shadows is finally, at long last, almost within striking distance. After repeated delays and turmoil both inside and outside developer Ubisoft's control, perhaps the most consequential game the company has ever made arrives next week, 20th March on PS5, and we got a scene-setting cinematic trailer to whet our appetites.
Shadows is the 14th mainline entry in the now venerable Assassin's Creed series, set in the late Sengoku period of Japanese history. It follows shinobi Naoe and samurai Yasuke as they seek to fulfill their respective oaths of vengeance and fealty. Players can choose their preferred character and associated playstyle and adapt how they approach the challenges that must be overcome.
Their tale will largely revolve around one of the era's most fascinating historical figures, Oda Nobunaga, the iconic Demon King of Owari. The legendary leader’s masterful battle tactics and innovative use of teppō firearms have made him an enduring figure within popular fiction, including the long-running Nobunaga’s Ambition series, which fans may recognise from Koei Tecmo.