Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been fighting uphill battles since day one. From accusations of historical inaccuracy to Japanese government officials condemning the game in parliament, Ubisoft’s freshly launched feudal Japan adventure can’t seem to catch a break.
But sometimes, validation comes from unexpected places. While the internet warriors are busy review-bombing and riding the “anti-woke” outrage bandwagon, the publishing director of one of gaming’s most celebrated titles of late quietly dropped an opinion that’s worth more than a thousand angry Reddit posts.
The question isn’t whether Shadows is historically accurate anymore—it’s whether the game is actually fun to play. And according to someone who helped deliver one of the most acclaimed RPGs in recent memory, the answer might surprise the outrage merchants.
When Larian Studios speaks, gamers should listen
When the publishing director of Baldur’s Gate 3 weighs in on your combat system, you pay attention. Michael “Cromwelp” Douse recently took to X to share his thoughts on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and his verdict was crystal clear:
I really like the combat in AC Shadows. It feels tight and deliberate, with a welcome return to the clear counter system I missed. Best AC combat system in years.
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) March 20, 2025
Coming from someone who helped shepherd a game that swept The Game Awards and earned universal acclaim, this isn’t just empty praise—it’s a serious endorsement. The combat in Shadows represents a return to form after several entries that felt more like hack-and-slash RPGs than the precise, counter-focused systems of earlier titles.
Longtime fans of the series seem to agree with Douse’s assessment:
so for real!! the combat in Origins, Odyssey & Vahallah make me feel like im playing an MMO. Shadows combat actually feel smooth
— Vinny THROWING MY ❌ UP (@Hoangzzz) March 20, 2025
The game’s stealth mechanics have also received significant praise in the comments, with the addition of prone movement creating new tactical options:
The prone action really is such a great addition. Makes stealth so much more intriguing!
— Reciprico (@RstarThunder112) March 20, 2025
It’s worth noting that Shadows, as announced by the official X handle, attracted over a million players within its first 24 hours, suggesting that the controversies haven’t dampened enthusiasm among those who actually play games rather than just argue about them online.
Why you shouldn’t let internet outrage dictate your gaming choices
The discourse surrounding Assassin’s Creed Shadows perfectly goes to show why forming opinions based solely on pre-release controversies or Twitter hot takes is a recipe for missing out on potentially great experiences.
It’s so fun. I bought the deluxe last night and been playing all morning
— Quinton da Don (@QuintondaDon1) March 20, 2025
The game’s combat system isn’t just winning over industry veterans like Douse, either.
Regular players are also finding themselves pleasantly surprised by how it feels to play:
Pressing the RB to attack always killed me, I’m glad the combat is back to how it was
— relativemedia – Emmy Award Winner (@relativemedia) March 20, 2025
With platforms like Steam offering generous refund policies (less than two hours played), there’s little risk in trying a game for yourself rather than letting the internet decide for you. The most vocal critics are often those who haven’t even played the game they’re condemning.
What’s particularly interesting about Shadows is how the actual gameplay experience seems disconnected from the pre-release controversies. While politicians fretted about shrine destruction (now patched out) and certain corners of the internet melted down over Yasuke’s inclusion, players are busy enjoying the tight combat and gorgeous rendition of feudal Japan.
Have you given Assassin’s Creed Shadows a chance despite the controversies? Do you agree with the Baldur’s Gate 3 dev’s assessment of its combat? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
