Yes, You Can Play Assassin’s Creed Shadows Without Prior AC Experience

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is a significant addition to the expansive *Assassin’s Creed* franchise, known for its rich historical settings and deep narratives. Whether you're diving into the series for the first time with *Shadows* or returning after a break, here's everything you need to know to get started.

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Overlap With Other AC Games? Answered

Image via Xbox Wire. The Assassin’s Creed timeline spans continents and centuries, with each game often presenting a standalone story and setting. Since Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, the series has maintained this approach.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes place in 16th-century Japan, a setting not directly linked to any other game in the series. The closest Assassin’s Creed games in terms of time period are Brotherhood and Revelations, set in the early 1500s in Italy and Constantinople, respectively. Given the significant differences in time and location, Shadows stands alone without direct connections to these titles.

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Have a Modern-Day Story? Answered

In the early days of the Assassin’s Creed series on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, a modern-day storyline featuring Desmond Miles, voiced by Nolan North, connected the games. However, subsequent entries have struggled to maintain a cohesive modern-day narrative.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a fresh modern-day storyline, aiming to re-engage fans. You don't need to worry about previous modern-day plots, as Shadows starts anew. The modern-day elements in Shadows are sparse and mysterious, adding to the intrigue without overwhelming the historical narrative.

Related: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Trophy List (All 55 Trophies)

Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows Connected to the Series and Does it Matter If You’ve Played It Before?

Naoe receives her Hidden Blade in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft. While Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn't a direct sequel, it does include nods to the franchise's past through Easter eggs and familiar imagery. These references are designed to delight long-time fans without confusing newcomers.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows can be enjoyed as a standalone adventure, yet it still incorporates key elements from the series such as the Animus, the Brotherhood, and the Templars. These connections are introduced gradually, allowing both new and returning players ample time to immerse themselves in the world of Feudal Japan without needing prior knowledge of the series.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.