Assassin’s Creed Shadowsis the 14th mainline game in the series, and undoubtedly, it has evolved into a giant in the gaming industry. Each new game takes place in a vast open world, taking players through different historical settings andintroducing them to figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Cleopatra, and Alkibiades. The games are filled with action, stealth, exploration, and impressive storytelling that keeps players hooked and coming back for the next installment.
Now, the latest entry in the series is already making waves with its setting, story, and characters. Given the franchise’s track record, and how longShadows' feudal Japan setting has been requested by fans, it’s no surprise the excitement this game has created. While its early numbers are impressive, it remains to be seen if the game will become the biggestAssassin’s Creedgame yet.
AC Shadows Has Beaten Valhalla’s Player Count On Steam
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Has Reached Impressive Numbers So Far
Assassin’s Creed Shadowsis off to an incredible start. Already on its launch day, March 20, it has surpassedAssassin’s Creed Valhalla’s total player count.Shadowshas reached 41,210 players, according toSteam Charts, which is a huge leap compared toValhalla’s all-time peak of 15,431 (also viaSteam Charts). This impressive milestone proves how much excitement has been built around the latestACgame.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Review: A Gorgeous Japan That Plays It Too Safe
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows is easy on the eyes, but a generally basic simulation, scant upgrades, and bland side activities weaken the effect.
WhileAssassin’s Creedhas always been a popular and well-received franchise, this big jump in players shows how much the franchise and fanbase have grown.Valhallawas a huge hit with millions of players, but its Steam numbers never got as high asShadowsalready has.
Assassin’s Creed Valhallawas released in 2020, set primarily in ninth-century England, with sections in Norway.
Several reasons could be behind the success ofShadows. The setting in feudal Japan is something that has sparked the interest of many, plusShadows' gameplay advancements likely let excitement build up over time.Another contributing factor could be that it does not require the Ubisoft Connect launcher when played through Steam, letting many players stay solely on their preferred platform. WithAC Shadowsalready breaking records and itsClaws of AwajiDLC already anticipated, the game will likely continue to grow.
AC Shadows Could Beat Odyssey & Origins Too
Shadows Is On The Path To Beating Other AC Titles
WithAssassin’s Creed: Shadowsalready passingValhallaon Steam, the next question is how it will compare to other major games in the series.Assassin’s Creed Originsreached 41,541 players andOdyssey61,984 playersat their peak (seeOriginsSteam Charts datahere, andOdyssey’shere). IfShadowskeeps up its momentum, it could challenge or potentially beat these numbers.
Best PC Settings For Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a demanding game on PC, but understanding the settings makes it easier to decide which trade-offs are worthwhile.
The launch ofShadowshas already shown a huge increase in interest compared toValhalla, and the excitement doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Many players are jumping in to enjoy the new setting,Shadows' two protagonists, and gameplay, and word-of-mouth could bring even more players in the next few weeks.
Another thing to think about is how longShadowscan keep players interested. BothOriginsandOdysseyhad strong updates and expansions that kept their communities active for years. IfShadowsdoes the same,it could keep attracting new players and even become more popular than the earlier entries.
Will AC Shadows Be The Most Popular Assassin’s Creed Game Ever?
AC Shadows Is Well-Received So Far
It’s hard to say for certain whetherAC Shadowswill be the most popularAssassin’s Creedgame ever, but with the game off to such a strong start, it could be. The early numbers are impressive, and it has already beatenValhalla’speak player count. While it still has a way to go to passOdysseyandOrigins, it’s growing fast and could surpass them soon enough.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: 5 Biggest Differences Between Playing Naoe Vs. Yasuke
There are some major differences between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and you should prepare for completely different experiences.
One big reason forShadows’success is its setting; feudal Japan is a time and place fans have wanted for years. The mix of ninjas, samurai, and historical intrigue fits perfectly withAssassin’s Creed’s stealth and action gameplay. Ubisoft has finally delivered on this long-requested setting, and players are eager to explore it.
Another reason forShadows’popularity is its solid reception. It has aMetacriticscore of 81, meaningmost reviews are positive. Whilenot the highest-rated game in the series, it has been well-received so far. With updates and new content, it has the potential to improve and grow even more. Games likeOdysseyandOriginsstayed popular for years because of their big worlds and regular updates. IfShadowsdoes the same, it will keep players interested and bring in new.
Shadows' 81 aggregate is for the most commonly reviewed platform, PlayStation 5; its Xbox Series X/S and PC scores are 85 and 78, respectively.
It’s still early, butAssassin’s CreedShadowshas the potential to become one of the series' biggest games ever. If its player count keeps growing, it could set new records and cement its place as one of the franchise’s most successful entries.
Sources: Steam Charts (1,2,3,4),Metacritic
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Set during Japan’s Sengoku period, two distinct protagonists—Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai—must navigate political intrigue and violent clashes between the Assassins and Templars. Players can switch between stealthy, shadow-based gameplay with Naoe and Yasuke’s direct combat approach, exploring the duality of their missions in a beautifully rendered open world.
