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

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is a monumental addition to the expansive *Assassin’s Creed* franchise, boasting a rich history that spans continents and centuries. Whether you're diving into *Shadows* as your first foray into the series or returning after a hiatus, here's everything you need to know to enhance your experience.

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

Image via Xbox Wire. The Assassin’s Creed timeline has journeyed across various continents and historical epochs, offering a diverse collection of titles set over the centuries. Each game since Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag has largely been a standalone experience in terms of story and setting.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is uniquely positioned in 16th-century Japan. The nearest Assassin’s Creed game in terms of timeline, Brotherhood and Revelations, explored Italy and Constantinople in the early 1500s. Given the vast spatial and temporal distance, there are no direct narrative connections between Shadows and these earlier titles.

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

During the franchise's early years on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Assassin’s Creed wove a compelling modern-day narrative that connected each game. Fans might fondly recall Desmond Miles, voiced by Nolan North. However, recent games have struggled to maintain the momentum of these modern-day tales.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a fresh modern-day storyline, designed to re-engage fans without requiring knowledge of previous modern-day plots. These modern elements are subtle and sparingly used, keeping the focus primarily on the historical setting.

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?

Naoe receives her Hidden Blade in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft. While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is not a direct sequel to any previous game, Ubisoft pays homage to the series' past with Easter eggs, nods, and iconic imagery that will resonate with long-time fans. These references are thoughtfully integrated to enrich the experience without overwhelming newcomers.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows stands on its own as a complete adventure, yet it incorporates essential elements from the broader series such as the Animus, the Brotherhood, and the Templars. These connections are revealed gradually, allowing both new and returning players to immerse themselves in the world of Feudal Japan without needing prior knowledge of the series.

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