On its first day after release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has captivated over a million players, setting off on an exciting start that has outdone previous games in the series. This impressive launch is particularly encouraging for Ubisoft, considering some of its former titles didn’t meet expectations.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows became available on March 20, 2025, debuting on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Despite some delays along the way, fans eagerly anticipated this release, especially because it took the long-awaited step of featuring a Feudal Japan setting. This historical backdrop is coupled with an engaging storyline that brings together two contrasting main characters: Yasuke, a noble samurai, and Naoe, a stealthy shinobi. The dual protagonists have been warmly received, and the game maintains a commendable average score of 81 on OpenCritic. But it’s not just critics giving it a thumbs up; players have jumped on board in large numbers.
In a tweet that quickly stirred excitement, Assassin’s Creed Shadows celebrated reaching the million-player milestone merely 15 hours post-launch. Not only that, but it’s dominated the Steam Top Sellers list in short order, surpassing other popular games like Monster Hunter Wilds and Split Fiction. Numbers from SteamDB reflect a peak of 41,412 concurrent players, a testament to its popularity.
Fans have clearly embraced Assassin’s Creed Shadows with open arms, marking an impressive debut for the iconic series. This debut gamer count is substantial, surpassing the combined peak of two prior installments, Mirage and Valhalla. Critically, Shadows is also a success, rating better than 2023’s title but just shy of Valhalla’s performance.
Ubisoft must be breathing a sigh of relief with Shadows’ success. The previous year was less than stellar with big project releases like Star Wars Outlaws and XDefiant not delivering the expected impact. A continued strong performance from Shadows could be pivotal for Ubisoft, especially given the ongoing speculation about its future amidst acquisition rumors.
Players can now dive into this vibrant world, inhabiting the lives of Naoe and Yasuke. They can expect an immersive experience, exploring breathtaking landscapes, engaging in dynamic weather scenarios, and navigating the shifting tides of feudal Japan. Whether tiptoeing through shadows as a shinobi or wielding the power of a samurai, the game promises a rich tapestry of stories and adventures for players to unravel.
