Disappointing Conclusions: A Critique of Ubisoft's Latest Assassin's Creed Chapter

Ubisoft's recent release, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, has left many players feeling unsatisfied with its narrative resolution. Despite offering an engaging storyline through two main characters, Naoe and Yasuke, the game stumbles significantly at its conclusion. While Yasuke's arc provides a satisfying closure, Naoe's storyline abruptly ends without any meaningful resolution, leaving fans questioning the purpose of their 60-hour journey. This critique aims to highlight the disparity in character development and warn potential players about the lack of a proper ending.

In this latest installment of the Assassin's Creed series, players are introduced to two central figures—Naoe and Yasuke—who share intertwined missions yet distinctly different endings. Yasuke's storyline, crafted with care by Ubisoft, delivers a compelling conclusion that ties up loose ends while hinting at further mysteries. However, as players progress through Naoe's missions, they encounter a cliffhanger that serves more as a marketing ploy for upcoming downloadable content rather than a genuine narrative resolution.

The experience culminates in a brief ten-minute cut-scene following over fifty hours of gameplay. Players face an optional boss battle whose outcome, unlike in other games, holds little significance as it does not affect the overarching story. Regardless of the player's choice, the narrative remains unchanged. The revelation that a close companion is alive sets the stage for what could have been an epic finale but instead leaves players hanging, eagerly awaiting future DLC to provide the missing pieces.

This approach contrasts sharply with titles such as Ghost of Tsushima and Rise of the Ronin, which delivered complete and gratifying conclusions. These games respected their audience by ensuring that the primary storyline reached a satisfactory end within the base game itself. In contrast, Ubisoft's decision to withhold Naoe's conclusion behind a paywall undermines player trust and tarnishes what was otherwise a promising addition to the franchise.

Ultimately, completing Assassin’s Creed: Shadows purely for its narrative may prove fruitless due to its abrupt and incomplete ending. For those invested in the gameplay mechanics, continuing the journey might still hold value. However, those seeking a fulfilling conclusion should reconsider their investment of time and resources. Instead, consider exploring the "ending" via alternative means like YouTube videos to avoid disappointment. By doing so, you can preserve both your gaming enthusiasm and precious leisure hours.