Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in feudal Japan during the late Sengoku period. Players experience the intertwined stories of two protagonists: Naoe, a skilled shinobi Assassin from Iga Province, and Yasuke, an African samurai inspired by the historical figure of the same name. The game offers a rich open-world environment, allowing exploration of regions like Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, and Iga province, with historically accurate castles and landmarks. Gameplay emphasizes both stealth and combat, with each character possessing unique abilities. Naoe specializes in agility and stealth tactics, utilizing tools like a grappling hook, kunai, smoke bombs, and the iconic Hidden Blade. Yasuke provides a more direct combat approach, wielding traditional samurai weapons. The game features dynamic lighting and environmental interactions, allowing manipulation of shadows for stealth advantages. Players can also recruit and train a spy network to gather intelligence and locate targets.