Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Playable Without Prior AC Experience?

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is a monumental addition to a franchise known for its expansive world and deep-rooted history. Whether you're diving into the series for the first time with *Shadows* or returning after a hiatus, here’s what you should know to get started.

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Overlap With Other AC Games? Answered

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* transports players to 16th-century Japan, a setting far removed from the early 1500s locales of *Brotherhood* and *Revelations*, which were set in Italy and Constantinople, respectively. Given the significant temporal and geographical distance, *Shadows* does not directly connect with these earlier games.

Does Assassin’s Creed Shadows Have a Modern-Day Story? Answered

In its early years on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the *Assassin’s Creed* series featured a compelling modern-day narrative, with Desmond Miles, voiced by Nolan North, as a central figure. However, subsequent titles have struggled to maintain the momentum of these modern-day stories.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces a fresh modern-day storyline, aiming to re-engage fans without the baggage of previous narratives. While the modern-day elements in *Shadows* are sparse and shrouded in mystery, they are designed to be accessible to all players, regardless of their familiarity with the series' past.

Related: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Trophy List (All 55 Trophies)

Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows Connected to the Series and Does it Matter If You’ve Played It Before?

*Shadows* can be enjoyed as a standalone experience, yet it includes key elements from the series such as the Animus, the Brotherhood, and the Templars. These connections unfold gradually, allowing both new and returning players ample time to immerse themselves in the world of Feudal Japan without needing prior knowledge of the series.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is now available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.