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[Draugoth]

Q: When does Assassin's Creed Shadows Reviews Drop?
A: Assassins' Creed Shadows Reviews Drop March 18th, at 10 AM PT​

Steelbook case
76-page concept art booklet
Life-size replica of the hilt of Yosuke’s katana
Fold out world map
15.7-inch statuette of Naoe and Yosuke
Wall scroll with the Assassin’s Creed on it (27.6 x 11.8-inches)
Two lithographs (5.3 x 7.5-inches)​

The $229.99 Collector’s Edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available to pre-order for PlayStation or Xbox exclusively from GameStop.

​

Analog Stick Gaming - Jeff M Young - 9.5 / 10

With some truly wonderful writing and an engaging pair of protagonists, I adored Assassin’s Creed Shadows. I was obsessed with finishing the assassination targets and working through the Objective board with many late nights to see it through. The wait for Ubisoft to bring the series to Japan has been worth it, especially given the technical appeal of modern gaming making it even more impressive than I had imagined. Naoe and Yasuke are my definitive heroes for this series, two individuals who are wonderfully portrayed by their respective actors, and the talented team that brought them to life.

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Atarita - Alparslan Gürlek - Turkish - 84 / 100

Assassin's Creed Shadows has taken a long-overdue step forward with its new mechanics and technical improvements. You'll just have to overlook the mediocre writing and a narrative that lacks pacing.

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But Why Tho? - Jason Flatt - 6 / 10

It’s a well-crafted game within its own scale with a great story and emotionally resonant characters, but in the grand scheme of what a big open-world RPG could provide, Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t maximize its potential.

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Cerealkillerz - Nick Erlenhof - German - 8.5 / 10

Assassin's Creed Shadows is the best installment in the series for a long time and brings many fresh ideas to the table. The setting is breathtaking, the variety in the missions is great and the gameplay feels very well thought out. The interaction between Yasuke and Naoe in particular creates an interesting dynamic. While Yasuke excels in combat, Naoe offers probably the best parcours gameplay the series has ever had. Traversal with Yasuke, the actual story and the typical open-world problems do tarnish the whole thing somewhat, but the series certainly wasn't this good for a while.

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Checkpoint Gaming - Edie W-K - 9 / 10

Assassin's Creed Shadows is another notch in the belt of this illustrious series. Sneaking and stabbing as Naoe or duelling foes in honourable combat as Yasuke, the duel protagonists are a genius addition to all the things we love about Assassin's Creed. Even though I haven't gelled with the more recent huge open-world AC titles, I leave my time with Assassin's Creed Shadows with renewed excitement for the series thanks to a more manageable map size and a great story. Add in the beautiful backdrop of medieval Japan throughout the seasons, and you've got a hit.

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Cloud Dosage - Jon Scarr - 4.5 / 5

Whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the best entry in the series depends on what you enjoy. If you enjoy tactical stealth, the game delivers. If you’re more into a challenging combat experience, Yasuke’s overwhelming strength may leave you wanting more.

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ComicBook.com - Cade Onder - 3.5 / 5

Although Assassin’s Creed Shadows has some cumbersome flaws that can’t be overlooked, including ones that have been present in the series since its inception, it is a strong action-adventure game that I will likely keep investing in for weeks to come.

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ComingSoon.net - Tyler Treese - 9 / 10

This sprawling epic regularly features gorgeous sights of Japan and incredibly fun gameplay with a newfound freedom of how you approach it. It winds up being the best Assassin’s Creed game in years and a true joy over its 60+ hour journey.

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Console Creatures - Court LaLonde - 8 / 10

Assassin's Creed Shadows provides an unexpected amount of player agency against the Feudal Japan backdrop fans of the series have wanted for ages.

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Console-Tribe - Luca Saati - Italian - 85 / 100

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the culmination of years of evolution in the saga, blending refined action/RPG gameplay with one of the series' most captivating settings. The contrast between Naoe and Yasuke offers distinct playstyles, encouraging variety and experimentation. Stealth mechanics are more polished than ever, while combat, though not as deep as a pure action game, remains fun and well-balanced.
Feudal Japan is recreated with exceptional detail, thanks to top-tier artistic direction and a solid technical foundation, benefiting from the departure from old consoles. The seasonal cycle isn’t just aesthetic but adds meaningful gameplay dynamics, keeping exploration engaging.
However, some concerns remain. The Animus Hub feels more like an unfinished concept than a true revolution, and the modern-day storyline risks becoming secondary again. Some design choices, like character switching, could have been smoother.
Overall, Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers an immersive experience that will satisfy longtime fans eager for this setting within the series' lore, as well as newcomers drawn by its Eastern allure.

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Dexerto - Jessica Filby - 4 / 5

Assassin's Creed has been fighting to find its identity for over a decade, and thanks to Shadows it's finally rediscovered it. Sure, its combat can be clunky and some story beats felt oddly placed (particularly Yasuke's backstory), but Shadows is exactly what Assassin's Creed needed to prove it still has a beating heart. Whether you’re looking to explore the stunning world of feudal Japan, storm the gates of an enemy castle, or fall in love with the many NPCs that populate its world, Assassin's Creed Shadows is an immersive treat that cements itself as the best Assassin's Creed game since Black Flag.

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Digitale Anime - Raouf Belhamra - Arabic - 9 / 10

"A worthy heir to a venerable lineage" Assassin's Creed Shadows offers one of the most distinctive stealth and infiltration experiences in the series, thanks to its dual-hero system and richly detailed world. Improved AI, environmental interaction, and the impact of seasons on gameplay make it an immersive experience for fans of stealth and tactical combat. Despite some flaws, Ubisoft Quebec has succeeded in delivering a well-rounded experience that combines the series' authenticity with its innovations.

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Digitec Magazine - Domagoj Belancic - German - 3 / 5

The real star of “Assassin's Creed: Shadows” is the visually stunning game world. It impresses with its many details, beautiful weather effects and changing seasons. It is perhaps the most beautiful open game world I have ever experienced. Unfortunately, this spectacular backdrop offers little substance despite the solid gameplay basis. Repetitive missions, boring side activities and a half-baked story leave me unsatisfied overall.

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Enternity.gr - Giannis Archontidis - Greek - 8.5 / 10

Whether you're a fan of the gorgeous old Assassin's Creed, the new open world, or just joining the series, Assassin's Creed Shadows should not be missing from any library!

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Entertainment Geekly - Luis Alvaro - 3 / 5

If you’ve been longing for a classic Assassin’s Creed experience, you’ll find moments of brilliance here—but they come with frustrations as well. And if you’ve grown tired of Ubisoft’s copy-paste open-world formula, Shadows won’t change your mind.

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Eurogamer.pt - Adolfo Soares - Portuguese - 3 / 5

Ubisoft has finally released Assassin's Creed Shadows, after several setbacks. It follows the formula of the series, without taking any risks, limiting itself to delivering a game that is consistent with what fans already know. Naoe is a nice surprise, while Yasuke doesn't seem to know what he's doing here. Anyone who likes the saga will love Shadows, but it's a shame it's not more daring.

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Fextralife - Fexelea - 8.5 / 10

Expansive, detailed and polished, Assassin's Creed Shadows is a fantastic exploration and stealth game with beautiful Japanese aesthetics, somewhat diminished by a thin story, clumsy narrative, and immersion-breaking design choices. Despite this, it's a thoroughly enjoyable entry into the series for fans seeking to explore medieval Japan.

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GRYOnline.pl - Jakub Paluszek - Polish - 6 / 10

I have experienced quite a few really cool moments while playing Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, but after 40 hours of playtime all those moments are lost in time like tears in rain. This new Creed has some interesting ideas to shake up the formula, but none of them are good enough to make it count. All in all, any potential for greatness was squandered for yet another opportunity to make a very big game.

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Game Lodge - Silvio Diaz - Portuguese - 10 / 10

The latest game in the franchise is what it is because it looks back and recognizes everything it has done in its history. It brings together the best of all those years and manages to be a brilliant piece of work in every way. Visually beautiful, engaging and extremely fun, combining so many systems. Assassin's Creed Shadows is the best Assassin's Creed ever made and the definitive Medieval Japan game.

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Game Rant - Matt Karoglou - 9 / 10

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a spectacular return to form for the franchise, delivering one of the series' more tightly focused historical adventures.

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GameGrin - Anna Duncan - 8.5 / 10

A game that's not without its issues, but is a great entry in the franchise, and didn't feel the need to cram in a ship to captain.

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Gameffine - Uphar Dutta - 80 / 100

Assassin’s Creed Shadows was supposed to work in the dark to serve the light, but it never managed to step beyond the shadows. It plays it too safe while trying to go back to the roots, but it also goes back on the unwanted systems, including the leveling-based progression. This “one step forward, and two steps back” sentiment makes Shadows just another entry in a long list of Assassin’s Creed games and nothing more.

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Gameliner - Patrick Lamers - Dutch - 4 / 5

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a great step forward for the series, with an intriguing story, varied characters, and a well-executed - eventhough a little repetitive - medieval Japan setting, making it a must-have for Assassin's Creed fans and open-world adventure lovers.

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Gamepressure - Maciej Bogusz - 7 / 10

Assassin's Creed: Shadows is a game full of contrasts. On one hand, it offers solid stealth mechanics and a great combat system, but on the other, it features a lackluster storyline and generic exploration. If you're a fan of the series, you'll likely find something to enjoy here, but if you weren't convinced from the start, the combat and stealth may not be enough to win you over.

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Gamer Escape - Eliot Lefebvre - 8 / 10

And that's really the ultimate takeaway. It has a load of really fun parts, a fun gameplay loop, an engaging story, and an earnest effort to split the difference between the various elements of the franchise history. It's a good game! Take these reservations not as a subversion of that fact, but for what they are: Acknowledgement of its limitations.

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Gamer Guides - Tom Hopkins - 85 / 100

Assassin’s Creed Shadows in a nutshell is a more refined, polished game with more of the same formula. This isn’t a big revamp, nor are there any deep changes to the formula. However, it’s the best the series has been for a while. Fun combat, a pair of genuinely interesting protagonists, and a gorgeous recreation of 16th century Japan mean the flaws are easier to overlook.

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Gfinity - Alister Kennedy - 10 / 10

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is an absolute triumph. Yasuke and Naoe are among the best protagonists the series has ever seen, and the return to stealth gameplay is a massive win for longtime fans.

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Glitched Africa - Marco Cocomello - 9 / 10

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes the series to new heights in ways we have been longing for. Ubisoft has delivered the most remarkable world I think we have seen from the studio yet. This, combined with a rich setting, dynamic gameplay styles, and a good balance of action and stealth, makes Shadows the best entry in the series. In many ways, it is going to be hard for Ubisoft to top this.

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Just Play it - Aimen TAIB - Arabic - 9 / 10

An amazing journey that we embarked on in feudal Japan alongside Naoe and Yasuke. The story and gameplay were both thrilling and enjoyable, alongside its massive content, making it undoubtedly Ubisoft's most visually stunning game and the best Assassin's Creed game of the last decade.

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Kakuchopurei - Jonathan Toyad - 70 / 100

[...] Assassin's Creed Shadow is still a decently fun action adventure-slash-role-playing hybrid (stats, grinding, and all that jazz) if you really need a huge timesink with a ton of money backed onto it. It may not change your mind about the Ubisoft formula of open-world games.
But through it all, formulas work because they're comfort food and deliver what is expected while looking darn good and polished doing so, without any fuss. And with a great soundtrack that mixes traditional with contemporary beats & melodies.

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Le Bêta-Testeur - Gabriel Desrosiers - French - 9.3 / 10

This is definitely one of the best games in the franchise. It's a complete game with great improvements, the story is well-constructed, and the player has a lot of freedom in their actions. Without distorting the franchise, I was able to enjoy the game almost as much as the first games. It's not far from equaling Black Flags or the Ezio trilogy.

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Loot Level Chill - Mick Fraser - 9.5 / 10

Assassin's Creed Shadows is an absolute triumph. An addictive adventure in a stunningly provocative open world, and an absolute must play.

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Manual dos Games - Luan Fernandes - Portuguese - 9.2 / 10

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a great game—everything that every fan of the franchise has always imagined. With refined combat, breathtaking scenery, captivating characters, and a simple yet very effective storyline, Shadows is undoubtedly an outstanding game. It brings the Japanese setting to life in an excellent way, and I am sure it will earn its place among Ubisoft's greatest games.

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MondoXbox - Giuseppe Genga - Italian - 8.8 / 10

Assassin's Creed Shadows succeeds in immersing us in a beautiful medieval Japan, full of activities and missions to be carried out with the character we prefer; the settings, the narrative/cinematic approach, and the stealth gameplay are its strengths, but it's a pity for its too weak connection to the franchise's meta-lore and a sometimes disorienting mission structure. Regardless, if you love the series, action RPGs, or Japanese settings, it is a title not to be missed.

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MonsterVine - Joe Bariso - 4 / 5

While not perfect, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a great ninja simulator and an okay open world game.

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New Game Network - Alex Varankou - 74 / 100

Another solid entry for the series, Assassin's Creed Shadows offers a wonderfully rendered natural world, though it's not as unique as it once could have been. The typical mix of stealth and action gameplay is still enjoyable and is now split between two protagonists, though switching between them can be cumbersome. Fans of the franchise should be satisfied, if not exactly impressed.

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NextPlay - Jamie Briggs - 8 / 10

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a great entry in the Assassin’s Creed franchise and a perfect entry point for newcomers. Its dual protagonists are fantastic and distinct, and while the villains are forgettable, the personal stories of Naoe and Yasuke help deliver a strong narrative. Shadows is visually stunning, with excellent cinematography, beautiful open world, a unique soundtrack and immersive sound design. However, a sparse open world, inconsistent parkour, and a disappointing hideout system, ultimately keep it from reaching true greatness.

​

​

 

[DavidGzz]

Epic review thread. Like a second OT! Nice.

75-79 equals subbing for a month. 80+ equals a buy.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

The pre-order and version images are wrong, that was from before the delay; there's no ultimate edition, only the digital deluxe edition, nor is there early access, nor is there a season pass, everyone who pre-orders gets the first expansion for free.

Edit: looks like OP changed it.

 

[DrMano]

 

[EDMIX]

The $229.99 Collector’s Edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available to pre-order for PlayStation or Xbox exclusively from GameStop.


​

Updating...

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ohhhh I like the font you used for a lot of this!


I ended up just keeping my Target pre-order for the steelbook normal version ( well they actually refunded me it and Star Wars outlaws for some reason and it seems their customer service has never gotten back to me so.........yea, free AC Shadows I guess) lolz

long story

 

[adamsapple]

OC put the blurb of one review early accidentally.

 

[Draugoth]

OC put the blurb of one review early accidentally.

 

[LectureMaster]

 

[LectureMaster]

Q: When does Assassin's Creed Shadows Reviews Drop?
A: Assassins'Creed Shadows Reviews Drop March 18th, at an unknown time

 

[nial]

This is coming out already?

 

[adamsapple]

Q: When does Assassin's Creed Shadows Reviews Drop?
A: Assassins'Creed Shadows Reviews Drop March 18th, at an unknown time

10AM Pacific tomorrow


Draugoth , you should update this to the OP too.

 

[LectureMaster]

10AM Pacific tomorrow


Draugoth , you should update this to the OP too.

 

[Jesb]

I care so little about these games now that I had no idea it was dropping soon.

 

[LordCBH]

My vote is 85-89, but won’t be surprised to see it in the tier below that. Looking forward to it.

 

[Gaiff]

81-82. Another paint-by-the-numbers Ubisoft game.

 

[viveks86]

Thinking it will be 80-84. Will be pleasantly surprised if it’s higher. Doubt it will be lower

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

I think we will hit the 80-84 range on this one.

 

[Principal]

I originally went for 80 to 84, but I expect an 85% because I remembered that most people aren't on Gaff and don't carry the same hang ups xD

 

[Saber]

My guess its 80, with 85 at best.
Lots of progressive reviwers gonna give extra brownie points for its brave and stunning approach.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

I'm going with low 80s.

I also think it will be overrated due to the pity effect on Ubisoft with journalists hoping they don't completely crater after this release.

 

[DryvBy]

It is almost guaranteed it will score well with big review ad agencies.

 

[Salz01]

I only care what Karak and Skill up have to say. I still remember Skill Ups review of Valhalla was brutal.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

high 70s low 80s by the "professional" reviews

Actual gamers 5/10

Internet content drama:

 

[Lokaum D+]

Jesus, is this OT or Review thread ?

80-85

 

[PeterBazooka64]

I'm sensing a low 80's return to form.

 

[Northeastmonk]

maybe all those delays made the game better? My spouse has the deluxe edition preordered, so I’ll get to see 70-80 hours worth of it.

 

[Agent_4Seven]

I wonder if 10 hour expansion you get for pre-order is one of those two in the season pass or not...
Cuz if it is, then the price of the season pass should be reduced by 50% for those who pre-ordered the game.

 

[R6Rider]

My guess is an 87.

 

[digimaster7]

My guess its 80, with 85 at best.
Lots of progressive reviwers gonna give extra brownie points for its brave and stunning approach.

forget brownie, they’re gonna bring a A5 wagyu for AC Shadows

 

[Karak]

My guess 85 to 90.
No adjustment for whatever the weird "extra credit points" that people keep posting because that idiotically ignores that there are now enough people covering games that some would review it low no matter what, some high no matter what.

 

[ZehDon]

I'm expecting the game to be standard 7-8/10 Ubisoft game, however, I'm also expecting inflated critic review scores in a bid to "counter" the negativity around DEI and all the pre-release non-sense that people have been tripping over.

In any case, this launch should be a fun ride, given Ubisoft literally have lawyers on stand-by heading into launch. Hope the game was worth the delay!

 

[Gubaldo]

756-79

 

[viveks86]

My guess 85 to 90.

So you are “guessing” the game is great. Got it!

 

[M.W.]

Two leaked reviews already, an 8 and a 9. 85 it is.

 

[Karak]

So you are “guessing” the game is great. Got it!

LOL. Well I have heard a lot of chatter and saw 2 leaked reviews. But overall since the majority of Ubisoft games I have rated Wait or lower, don't read much into it especially from me.
I had to sit through people telling me Far Cry 6 was amazing lol.

 

[icecold1983]

Creating visual images in my mind of the people who will buy the $230 version is far more fun than I could ever have with this game.

 

[viveks86]

LOL. Well I have heard a lot of chatter and saw 2 leaked reviews. But overall since the majority of Ubisoft games I have rated Wait or lower, don't read much into it especially from me.
I had to sit through people telling me Far Cry 6 was amazing lol.

Looking forward to your review tomorrow!

 

[FoxMcChief]

85-90

Cause fuck them shrines.

 

[Justin9mm]

I only care what Karak and Skill up have to say. I still remember Skill Ups review of Valhalla was brutal.

Skill Up in his impression vid did not really enjoy it. Game is probably going to have lots of bugs and Ubi games always end up on heavy sale within 3-6 months anyway. I got burned even buying Outlaws second-hand 4 months after they fixed everything. The game was still boring and shit, pretty, but boring and shit.

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

If Rise of the Ronin was a 76, this looks like it should be 86 minimum.

Due to grifters and the drama, I am guessing 78-80.

 

[Agent_4Seven]

I had to sit through people telling me Far Cry 6 was amazing lol.

Well, I'll say this.

I haven't played any Far Cry game after Blood Dragon (which was the best Far Cry since the first one imho), so I didn't have a Far Cry fatigue like probably many people who played every single one since Far Cry 3. So I thought that I should give 6 a chance since it has some good changes there, like, there's a voiced MC, funny, cool and various companions (loved the dog to death), great FPS mechanics and all that... And for like the first 20-25 hours I loved the game, I mean, it was still Far Cry 3 I remembered, but better, stripped from some needles mechanics and gameplay systems, different in some aspects and then, well then I saw that I had like 70% of the map still left to explore, locations to liberate and was like - Man, hell no! There's no way I'm going to do all that for 80-100 more hours even if I like FPS mechanics so much, like to shoot things cuz enemies have good reactions to shots and are just fun to deal with.

Man, it's just too much and I knew that there's going to be nothing new waiting for me cuz I've seen everything the game has to offer already. You'll certainly get your money's worth if you don't mind extremely repetitive gameplay loops for hundreds of hours, but for everyone else it's just not good game design, cuz the game is huge for the sake of being huge and not cuz it needs to be for story reasons etc. I haven't played or finished any AC game since Origins and from what I've heard and seen of the rest of them, it's good that I haven't played them, even if Odyssey is not bad when it comes to characters and story. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how I'll feel about Shadows in just a few days. Downloading Origins right now to remind myself how it's been and to see what's changed in 7 years.

 

[Grizzled Ghost]

My guess 85 to 90.
No adjustment for whatever the weird "extra credit points" that people keep posting because that idiotically ignores that there are now enough people covering games that some would review it low no matter what, some high no matter what.

Would it not also be idiotic to assume those sides are equal?

 

[Thief1987]

Typical mediocre and dull 6/10 ubislop, which will be scored at low 80s

 

[bender]

I had to sit through people telling me Far Cry 6 was amazing lol.

 

[Karak]

Would it not also be idiotic to assume those sides are equal?

Probably as dumb as thinking that the same number of atoms exist in one grain of sugar as the next. But thats just the hind tit thinking that in any way shape or form. Its also a pretty classic staged argument.

 

[Karak]

Well, I'll say this.

I haven't played any Far Cry game after Blood Dragon (which was the best Far Cry since the first one imho), so I didn't have a Far Cry fatigue like probably many people who played every single one since Far Cry 3. So I thought that I should give 6 a chance since it has some good changes there, like, there's a voiced MC, funny, cool and various companions (loved the dog to death), great FPS mechanics and all that... And for like the first 20-25 hours I loved the game, I mean, it was still Far Cry 3 I remembered, but better, stripped from some needles mechanics and gameplay systems, different in some aspects and then, well then I saw that I had like 70% of the map still left to explore, locations to liberate and was like - Man, hell no! There's no way I'm going to do all that for 80-100 more hours even if I like FPS mechanics so much, like to shoot things cuz enemies have good reactions to shots and are just fun to deal with.

Man, it's just too much and I knew that there's going to be nothing new waiting for me cuz I've seen everything the game has to offer already. You'll certainly get your money's worth if you don't mind extremely repetitive gameplay loops for hundreds of hours, but for everyone else it's just not good game design, cuz the game is huge for the sake of being huge and not cuz it needs to be for story reasons etc. I haven't played or finished any AC game since Origins and from what I've heard and seen of the rest of them, it's good that I haven't played them, even if Odyssey is not bad when it comes to characters and story. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how I'll feel about Shadows in just a few days. Downloading Origins right now to remind myself how it's been and to see what's changed in 7 years.

This is fair especially when you look at the time spent. I get shit sometimes for disliking a game in ways(Far Cry 6 is a good one) where I felt it was tragically flawed in many ways. BUT A normal person may play say 4 hours and say...damn I don't get it. But ultimately MAY after 8-10-20. So I totally get that. I do admit I thought its flaws, its sheer issues, were noticeable pretty quickly. Its one reason why I try to cover a game from a newcomers standpoint AND a returning fan. Cause both can be true.

Odyssey I liked a great deal. Probably based on 3 things.
Writing was a bit more enjoyable for me.
Less bugs than I had with Origins( which means gameplay and story can be experienced with out as many bumps and stops and starts)
A unique location I never expected. There is a LOT to say for discovery.

Shit sorry for the double post. I thought I hit the right button.

 

[SJRB]

It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

 

[HRK69]

My guess would be 83 or 84

A step up from the previous entries but still repetitive

 

[March Climber]

great FPS mechanics and all that... And for like the first 20-25 hours I loved the game, I mean, it was still Far Cry 3 I remembered, but better, stripped from some needles mechanics and gameplay systems, different in some aspects and then, well then I saw that I had like 70% of the map still left to explore, locations to liberate and was like - Man, hell no! There's no way I'm going to do all that for 80-100 more hours even if I like FPS mechanics so much, like to shoot things cuz enemies have good reactions to shots and are just fun to deal with.

Man, it's just too much and I knew that there's going to be nothing new waiting for me cuz I've seen everything the game has to offer already. You'll certainly get your money's worth if you don't mind extremely repetitive gameplay loops for hundreds of hours,

And this has been their largest issue in the past 2 generations that they seem to keep doubling down on. 80 hours. 100 hours. 200 hours. DLC making it more. Maps filled with hundreds of icons that overwhelm and overload the player. It’s like they can’t help themselves but continue to bloat and bloat and bloat their big franchise games because they feel that every game they make needs to be a “forever game” that should take you weeks, months, or more to finish.

And these aren’t even MMOs, which I would be more forgiving of if they were because then I could talk to and interact with other people. Most of their huge map games don’t contain good enough social features or no social features at all, so they feel even more empty and bloated because of that.

If this AC game might fail in sales, the wrong lessons are going to be learned from that failure and they will instead make a narratively ‘safe’ entry next, and then they’ll double down harder with 250 hours of repeated content because they think you’ll want even more to grind. But at least the safe narrative will be a nice pat on the back for themselves as they tell everyone ‘we have gone back to the basics with our story’.

 

[Gilgalaad]