Assassin's Creed Shadows: The Second Coming of Tenchu? Check it out!

Ubisoft's latest release, Assassin's Creed Shadows, marks a fresh yet nostalgic chapter in the long-running Assassin's Creed series. Shadows stands apart from its predecessors by diving deep into the covert artistry of feudal Japanese assassins, an era beloved by fans but never fully explored in this franchise... until now. But for gamers like myself... who grew up with stealth-action classics like Tenchu, Shadows feels eerily familiar in the best way possible.

Tenchu, a series that graced consoles decades ago, is remembered as the blueprint for stealth games set in Japan. It was a franchise where shadows were your allies and silence your weapon. Players infiltrated fortresses, crept across rooftops, and eliminated targets with graceful precision... all while avoiding detection. Fans of Tenchu have long yearned for its revival, and while Shadows isn’t a direct continuation, it feels like spiritual successor territory.

One thing that still cracks me up to this day... is the fact that targets would just go eat the poisoned onigiri/rice balls that you'd throw on the ground. There's a random meal sitting in the dirt, and they wander over like, "Oh great, dinner has arrived."

Anyway, Ubisoft has successfully captured Tenchu-like elegance within the expansive Assassin's Creed framework. With features such as grappling hooks, traditional Japanese weaponry like shurikens and kunai, and terrain that challenges your agility, it seems to pay homage to the classic Tenchu mechanics while modernizing them. The thrill of sneaking past patrolling samurai and infiltrating dimly lit castles will certainly ignite nostalgia for those who played Tenchu back in the day. That's coming from a Tenchu VET.

Of course, Ubisoft didn’t strip away the Assassin's Creed soul to make Shadows. Instead, it evolved the series’ signature elements to complement Japanese aesthetics. Parkour remains fluid but is adapted to steep temple roofs and bamboo forests. The immersive storytelling, filled with conspiracies and historical intrigue, intertwines perfectly with the code of the ninja. It’s a marriage of two worlds... Tenchu’s stealth and Assassin’s Creed’s vast, open-world adventure.

Additionally, Shadows dives deeper into the morality of being an assassin. Like Tenchu’s moral undertones of protecting innocents while dismantling corruption, Shadows incorporates Japanese honor and the balance between justice and vengeance. It's a thoughtful approach that fleshes out its protagonists as more than just killers.

For longtime Tenchu fans, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a bittersweet experience. It evokes fond memories of a bygone franchise while paving the way for something fresh, although I'd support a new Tenchu entry in a... heartbeat. Ubisoft has masterfully blended nostalgia with innovation, delivering a stealth game that feels timeless yet modern. If Tenchu was the Jonin of Japanese stealth gaming, Shadows may well be a Genin carrying on its legacy.

So, as players don their hoods and embrace the shadows, one thing is certain... Ubisoft has crafted not just a game, but a title that feels like an homage to the art of stealth. Assassin's Creed Shadows reminds me of why I fell in love with sneaking through feudal Japan all those years ago.

In addition to the stealth action of Assassin's Creed Shadows, you also experience the intense, up-close combat of the blade-wielding real-life legend, Yasuke. This combination adds the perfect variety to the gameplay. And if you check out the map once you venture out and you spot pictures by "Baby Fury," that's me! That said, snap some cool pictures, get creative, and add to the fun! By the way, Assassin's Creed Shadows has achieved overwhelming success right out of the gate, and I’m excited to dive even deeper into the action to take on... The Shinbakufu. Anyway, if you get your hands on the game, stay on alert... and game on! (POOF!) [Vanished leaving behind a bag of gummies]

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