The hype for Assassin’s Creed Shadows is real. With over 300,000 pre-orders, Ubisoft has proven that the fanbase is ready to dive into feudal Japan. But while the setting has gamers excited, there’s one major concern: the narrative.

On Reddit, user Takoshi88 asked fellow assassins if they had any concerns about the game, and the answer was loud and clear—can Ubisoft pull off a complicated story without breaking immersion? One major issue is the game’s non-linear structure. Players can tackle missions in any order, which is great for freedom but risky for storytelling. As oceanking pointed out, if dialogue and cutscenes don’t properly react to past events, character development for Yasuke and Naoe could feel awkwardly stitched together rather than organic.

Then there’s the GTA V-style character switching. Drunk_ender raised a valid concern: If you can complete quests as either Yasuke or Naoe, will dialogue acknowledge their differences? Or will we get the same generic lines whether you're a towering samurai or a stealthy shinobi?

Finally, Ubisoft Quebec’s track record isn’t reassuring. As Recomposer put it, their past writing—like in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate—felt predictable and uninspired. However, new narrative director Ryan Galletta (of Batman: Arkham Origins fame) might change that. With Assassin’s Creed Shadows launching on March 20, all eyes are on Ubisoft. Will they deliver a complicated story worth remembering? Or will the narrative take a leap of faith—without a haystack below?

FAQs

Will Assassin’s Creed Shadows have a strong narrative?

Fans are unsure if Ubisoft can balance non-linear storytelling while keeping character development meaningful and immersive.

How does switching between Yasuke and Naoe affect the story?

Players worry that quest dialogue might feel generic, failing to acknowledge each character’s unique background and personality.

Can Ubisoft Quebec deliver a compelling Assassin’s Creed story?

Their past writing hasn’t impressed everyone, but new narrative director Ryan Galletta could bring fresh storytelling improvements.