Assassin's Creed Shadows Takes 30-40 Hours to Beat the Main Campaign, with New Game+ Under Consideration

Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a substantial main campaign estimated at 30-40 hours, with the possibility of a New Game+ mode in future updates. Dive deeper into the team's vision and explore the richly detailed Hideout.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Playthrough Duration Revealed

A 30-40 Hour Main Campaign Awaits

Prepare for an immersive journey! Creative Director Jonathan Dumont revealed during the Kyoto Showcase Event that Assassin’s Creed Shadows (AC Shadows) boasts a main campaign clocking in at approximately 30-40 hours. Beyond the main storyline, over 80 hours of additional content awaits those seeking a complete experience. Furthermore, the team is actively considering a New Game+ mode and other additions based on player feedback—a welcome prospect for fans disappointed by the absence of this feature in AC Valhalla.

Dumont highlighted AC Shadows' key features, emphasizing its dynamic world with realistic seasonal changes and weather systems, innovative gameplay mechanics, a vastly expanded and customizable Hideout, and a compelling new Animus storyline that will weave into future Assassin’s Creed titles.

A Japanese-Inspired Assassin's Creed

The development team behind AC Shadows harbored a long-held ambition to create a Japan-centric Assassin’s Creed game. Dumont explained that the technological capabilities to accurately depict Japan’s natural world, coupled with a compelling narrative, finally made this dream a reality.

Drawing inspiration from iconic Japanese films like 13 Assassins, Sekigahara, Zatoichi, and Kurosawa classics, the team has crafted a unique Assassin’s Creed experience with a distinctly Japanese flavor. While acknowledging the online discourse surrounding the game, particularly concerning the inclusion of Yasuke, Dumont emphasized the team's dedication to delivering an exceptional game and showcasing their commitment to Japanese players.

Unveiling the Hideout: Your Customizable Base of Operations

The Secret Valley of Izumi Settsu

A March 5th, 2025, website post provided an in-depth look at the Hideout’s features and mechanics. Nestled within the secluded valley of Izumi Settsu province, this serves as the player's operational base, where they cultivate their Brotherhood.

Systems Associate Director Dany described the Hideout as "pretty ambitious." He explained that after creating fortresses, villas, and various other locations in previous games, the team aimed for unprecedented freedom in base building. Players receive a full acre of land to personalize, placing structures, pathways, flora, fauna, and more. Dany emphasized the team's desire for players to truly make the Hideout their own, with customization options progressively unlocking as the game progresses.

Building Your League

The Hideout will house a diverse cast of characters who aid the player, each with their unique backstories and challenges. Character placement influences their interactions and activities within the Hideout—for example, combat-oriented characters might frequent the Dojo, while others might gather in the Zashiki for sake. This dynamic arrangement fosters unique dialogue between characters, giving the Hideout a vibrant, lived-in feel. Dany highlighted the collaborative writing process, involving writers from four different studios, resulting in numerous engaging interactions and making the Hideout the beating heart of the player's league.

With its authentic Japanese setting and engaging features, Assassin’s Creed Shadows promises a compelling experience for players.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches March 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay tuned for further updates!