Assassin’s Creed Shadows similar games & best alternatives

Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Mac, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S • 2025

Should you play it?

Experience an epic action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi assassin and powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos.

What works
  • Engaging stealth and combat mechanics
  • Beautiful and immersive feudal japan setting
  • Dual protagonists with distinct playstyles
  • Long playtime with meaningful progression
  • Well-optimized performance on pc
Things to keep in mind
  • Story pacing issues and some repetitive side content
  • English voice acting and facial animations criticized
  • Parkour mechanics sometimes inconsistent
  • Some combat animations feel repetitive
  • Presence of microtransactions despite full price

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Horizon Forbidden West™ Complete Edition

  • KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-

  • Zwei: The Ilvard Insurrection

  • Visions of Mana

  • Assassin's Creed® Origins

  • Asterigos: Curse of the Stars

  • Ys: Memories of Celceta

  • Ys SEVEN

  • FATE: Undiscovered Realms
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Svarog's Dream

  • Sands of Aura

  • Kristala
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Escapism

    The Thaumaturge
  • Autonomy

    Dead Island Definitive Edition
  • Continuation

    HEARTBEAT

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Survival.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players can choose from multiple characters with unique skills and freely explore an open world, deciding how to approach quests and combat."

    Capsule for Dead Island Definitive Edition Dead Island Definitive Edition

    "Players can choose between two distinct protagonists with different playstyles and freely explore the open world, deciding how to approach missions and side activities."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Combat is described as fun, fast, and engaging with skill-based challenges, though some repetitive elements exist."

    Capsule for Mass Effect™: Andromeda Deluxe Edition Mass Effect™: Andromeda Deluxe Edition

    "Combat and stealth systems are engaging and challenging, with skill progression and feedback, though some combat animations are repetitive."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal story progression and exploration rather than competitive multiplayer or leaderboards."

    Capsule for Yakuza 3 Remastered Yakuza 3 Remastered

    "Focus is on personal story progression and exploration rather than competitive multiplayer or leaderboards."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report long playtimes, post-game content, and habitual engagement with side quests and collectibles."

    Capsule for HEARTBEAT HEARTBEAT

    "Players report long play sessions, habitual engagement with side quests, and ongoing return to weekly content."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Gameplay centers on single-player experience with limited multiplayer or cooperative elements."

    Capsule for Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

    "Gameplay centers on single-player experience with limited or no multiplayer cooperative elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players can build fortifications and customize weapons and soldiers, allowing some creative tactical expression."

    Capsule for Battlefield™ V Battlefield™ V

    "Players can customize weapons and armor appearance and build their hideout, allowing some creative expression."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of power imposition or trash talk."

    Capsule for DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT

    "Interactions are balanced and respectful; no evidence of power imposition or trash talk."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    5

    "Strong immersion in alternate history and fantasy setting provides escape from real life."

    Capsule for The Thaumaturge The Thaumaturge

    "Strong immersion in a detailed historical fantasy world provides escape from real life."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® V Sid Meier's Civilization® V

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

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    "Players try different combat styles, stealth, and exploration paths, experimenting within game mechanics."

    Capsule for UNCHARTED™: Legacy of Thieves Collection UNCHARTED™: Legacy of Thieves Collection

    "Players try different combat styles, stealth tactics, and exploration strategies with two protagonists."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

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    "Large open world with varied environments, secrets, and quests encourages discovery."

    Capsule for Ashen Empires Ashen Empires

    "Open world with diverse environments, seasonal changes, and many secrets encourages discovery."

  • Expression

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    2

    "Some character customization and unique gear appearances allow for personal expression."

    Capsule for Shadows: Awakening Shadows: Awakening

    "Customization of character gear and hideout allows personal expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    3

    "Set in a historical-fantasy blend with mythological elements and fictionalized narrative."

    Capsule for Assassin's Creed® Origins Assassin's Creed® Origins

    "Blends historical setting with fictional narrative and mythological elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -4

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social or community interaction."

    Capsule for Batman™: Arkham Knight Batman™: Arkham Knight

    "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social or community interaction."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Skill trees and character progression encourage learning and development."

    Capsule for GreedFall GreedFall

    "Skill trees, knowledge points, and character progression support learning and development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    Capsule for CODE VEIN CODE VEIN

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during play sessions."

    Capsule for BioShock™ BioShock™

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during play sessions."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -3

    "Limited social interaction, mostly surface-level character dialogue without deep emotional sharing."

    Capsule for Be My Horde Be My Horde

    "Limited social interaction; some character relationships and dialogue but no deep emotional sharing."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -3

    "No evidence of player leadership roles; gameplay is individual and story-driven."

    Capsule for Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

    "No evidence of player leadership roles; gameplay is individual and story-driven."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on gaining new weapons, armor, abilities, and leveling up."

    Capsule for Aggelos Aggelos

    "Strong emphasis on acquiring skills, weapons, armor, and upgrading hideout."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    3

    "Players find the game relaxing and enjoyable, balancing challenge with flow and immersion."

    Capsule for Mythgard Mythgard

    "Players experience flow and immersion with balanced challenge and rewarding gameplay."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "High-quality graphics, sound design, weather effects, and dynamic music provide rich sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for GRID Legends GRID Legends

    "High-quality graphics, dynamic weather, and sound design provide strong sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Achievements and progress are mostly personal; no social recognition or competitive ranking systems."

    Capsule for Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart (Neptunia) Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black Heart (Neptunia)

    "Achievements and progression are mostly personal; no strong social recognition or ranking."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "Narrative immersion through alternate history plot and character progression."

    Capsule for Freedom Fighters Freedom Fighters

    "Narrative immersion with dual protagonists, character development, and historical fiction."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Stealth and combat require planning, timing, and tactical decision-making."

    Capsule for Assassin’s Creed® Chronicles: China Assassin’s Creed® Chronicles: China

    "Stealth and combat require planning, timing, and tactical decision-making."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some suspense in combat and stealth sections, but overall moderate tension."

    Capsule for A Blind Legend A Blind Legend

    "Some suspense and tension in stealth and combat, but not extreme or constant."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    2

    "Players feel the game offers good value for time and money, especially given ongoing developer support and content updates."

    Capsule for Descenders Next Descenders Next

    "Players feel the game offers good content and entertainment for time and money spent."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat and assassination are core gameplay elements involving violence and elimination of enemies."

    Capsule for Assassin's Creed® Revelations Assassin's Creed® Revelations

    "Combat and assassination are central gameplay elements involving violence and destruction."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    1

    "Some resource management and avoiding failure, but low-risk environment overall."

    Capsule for Farming Simulator 25 Farming Simulator 25

    "Some resource management and avoiding detection, but overall stable and low-risk environment."

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Last update: 01/06/2026