Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes players on an epic journey through feudal Japan, where history meets stealth, action, and immersive storytelling. Set in a beautifully crafted open world, the game lets you experience Japan’s dynamic landscapes, cultural heritage, and political turmoil while controlling two protagonists: Naoe, a skilled shinobi, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai.Whether you’re sneaking through shadows or engaging in intense combat, every mission feels alive, filled with choices that shape your adventure. With stunning visuals, seamless gameplay, and a gripping narrative, Shadows stands out as one of Ubisoft’s most ambitious Assassin’s Creed titles to date.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into one of the most-asked questions by fans: how long to beat assassin’s creed shadows From the main story length to side quests and 100% completion times, we’ll cover Everything you need to plan your perfect playthrough.
The Core Campaign: Main Story Duration
If you’re diving into Assassin’s Creed Shadows purely for the story, you can expect an immersive yet balanced experience that takes around 30 to 40 hours to complete. Ubisoft has carefully crafted the primary campaign to deliver a cinematic narrative without overwhelming players with excessive filler content. Unlike some previous Assassin’s Creed entries, Shadows focuses on tight storytelling, impactful missions, and meaningful character development, ensuring every hour counts.Throughout the campaign, you’ll alternate between Naoe, the stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, the powerful samurai. This dual-protagonist approach adds variety and keeps the gameplay engaging, blending stealth-based infiltration, intense combat, and narrative-driven choices. Each mission is designed to feel purposeful, pulling you deeper into the struggles of feudal Japan’s warring factions and hidden conspiracies.
For players who prefer a straightforward, story-focused approach, skipping most side content, the credits will likely roll within the 35 to 40-hour mark. However, those who occasionally explore, unlock a few upgrades, or engage in light world-building may find themselves closer to 45 hours.In short, Unleashing The Power Of Arceus X: A Deep Dive Into The Ultimate Pokem the main story delivers a rich, polished, and highly replayable experience that’s neither too short nor overly drawn out, striking the perfect balance for both casual and dedicated players.
Story Plus Side Quests & Exploration
If you’re the type of player who enjoys taking your time and soaking in every detail, how long to beat assassin’s creed shadows open-world experience beyond its main story. While the core campaign alone takes 30–40 hours, adding side quests, optional missions, and free exploration can easily push your playtime to 55–80 hours.The game world is packed with hidden villages, ancient shrines, and secret pathways waiting to be discovered. Completing side quests doesn’t just add hours; it deepens your understanding of feudal Japan’s culture, politics, and traditions, making the entire journey far more immersive. Some missions unlock exclusive upgrades, special abilities, and unique weapons that significantly enhance your overall experience.
Additionally, seasonal cycles and dynamic environments make exploration rewarding. You’ll encounter new NPC interactions, hidden lore, and optional boss battles while wandering through forests, temples, and bustling marketplaces. This layered design encourages players to experiment with different playstyles, whether through stealth-based infiltration as Naoe or head-on samurai duels as Yasuke.For completionists who enjoy chasing collectibles, Why Grand Theft Auto v 5 gta 5 pc Remains a Gaming Masterpiece uncovering hidden secrets, and finishing every contract, your playtime can easily cross 80+ hours. But the beauty of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows lies in the freedom of choice; you can stick to the main narrative or lose yourself in the captivating world Ubisoft has built.In short, story plus exploration offers the perfect blend of narrative depth and open-world freedom, making the game rewarding no matter how you play.
Completionist Run: 100% Everything
For players who aim to unlock every achievement, discover every secret, and experience Everything Assassin’s Creed Shadows has to offer, prepare yourself for a long but rewarding journey. Completing the game 100% can easily take 80 to 120+ hours, depending on how thorough you are and how much time you invest in exploration.
Unlike sticking to the main story, a completionist run involves doing much more than just missions. You’ll need to:
- Finish all side quests and contracts
- Collect every hidden artifact, scroll, and collectible
- Unlock all abilities, skills, and upgrades
- Explore every shrine, village, and secret location
- Master both Naoe’s stealth techniques and Yasuke’s combat style
- Tackle optional boss battles and legendary encounters
Ubisoft designed the world of feudal Japan to reward curiosity. Many secrets are tucked away in remote temples, mountain caves, or bustling marketplaces, meaning you’ll spend plenty of time climbing, sneaking, and fighting to uncover them all. Completing Everything also grants you exclusive rewards, including rare weapons, unique outfits, and trophies for dedicated players chasing Platinum achievements.With seasonal changes, dynamic weather, and living NPC ecosystems, full completion feels alive rather than repetitive. Every corner of the map offers fresh discoveries, making those extra hours feel meaningful instead of tedious.
Real Player Experiences
One of the best ways to gauge assassin’s creed shadows game length is by looking at real player experiences. Since its release, fans have shared their playtimes and impressions across forums, social media, and gaming communities, and the results line up closely with Ubisoft’s estimates.
Many players report that completing the main story takes roughly 35 to 45 hours when focusing primarily on narrative-driven missions. One Reddit user shared:
“I finished the main campaign in about 38 hours. I skipped most side content and focused on the story. It felt perfectly paced.”
For those who balance the story with side quests, the average playtime jumps significantly. Another player wrote:
“I’m 52 hours in and just hit the credits. I explored shrines, unlocked upgrades, Forza Motorsport: Fuel Your Passion For Racing With The Most Realistic and dabbled in contracts. It was worth every minute.”
Completionists, unsurprisingly, clock in much higher. Some gamers proudly report 90+ hours spent combing through every hidden collectible, mastering both protagonists, and syncing every region:
“I’m sitting at 105 hours, and I still have a few collectibles left! Ubisoft really nailed the world-building this time.”
Overall, player feedback suggests three clear patterns:
- Main story-focused runs: ~35–45 hours
- Balanced playthroughs: ~55–80 hours
- Completionist journeys: 90+ hours
What Influences Your Game Time
The total time it takes to beat Assassin’s Creed: assassin’s creed shadows time period largely depends on how you choose to play. Ubisoft designed the game to be flexible, offering both story-driven pacing and open-world freedom, which means your approach directly impacts your playtime. Here are the main factors that influence it:
1. Playstyle and Character Choice
Since you control two protagonists, Naoe, a stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, a powerful samurai, your preferred style affects the mission length. Stealth-focused infiltration often takes longer because you’re carefully avoiding detection, while head-on combat lets you clear areas more quickly.
2. Exploration vs. Fast Travel
If you love wandering through villages, forests, and hidden shrines, Can You Beat the Courage the Cowardly Dog Game expect your playtime to increase by 10–20 hours. On the other hand, sticking to fast travel and avoiding optional paths will shorten your journey significantly.
3. Side Quests and Collectibles
Engaging in contracts, hidden challenges, and collectible hunts adds considerable hours. Some side quests also unlock exclusive upgrades and lore, making them worth the detour.
4. Difficulty Level
Higher difficulty settings require more cautious planning, more protracted battles, and frequent retries, thereby extending playtime. Players on easier modes can progress through missions faster.
5. Seasonal and Dynamic World Events
The game features seasonal cycles, weather changes, and dynamic NPC behaviors, Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Xbox Game Pass encouraging players to revisit areas multiple times for unique encounters, all of which add more hours.
In short, your playstyle, exploration habits, and goals dictate whether Assassin’s Creed Shadows lasts 30 hours or well over 100. The game adapts beautifully, making every journey feel personal.
Conclusion
Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers an unforgettable journey through feudal Japan, blending a gripping narrative, rich world-building, and dynamic gameplay. Whether you’re a player focused solely on the main story or a completionist chasing every collectible, the game delivers a rewarding experience tailored to your playstyle.If you stick to the storyline, expect around 30–40 hours of engaging missions. Add in side quests and exploration, and your adventure can easily stretch to 55–80 hours. For those determined to 100% complete the game, prepare for a playtime of 80–100+ hours.
No matter how you play, assassin’s creed shadows time to beat your time while offering endless opportunities for discovery. With its breathtaking visuals, immersive combat, and dual-character mechanics, this title cements itself as one of the most ambitious Assassin’s Creed games yet, a must-listen to for both new and devoted fans.
FAQ
Does playstyle affect game time?
Yes! Stealth-based play takes longer than aggressive combat, and players who explore more or chase collectibles will spend significantly more time.
How long is a completionist run?
A full completionist run, including all side quests, collectibles, upgrades, and secret missions, can take 80–120+ hours, depending on the player.
Can difficulty settings change playtime?
Absolutely. Higher difficulty levels increase combat challenge, requiring more retries and careful strategy, while lower difficulties allow faster mission completion.
Does exploration impact overall duration?
Yes. Visiting hidden locations, shrines, villages, and side activities can add 10–20+ hours to your total playtime.
Are there dynamic events that affect gameplay length?
Yes. The game features seasonal cycles, weather changes, and dynamic NPCs, which can create unique encounters and encourage revisiting areas.
How long do speedrunners take to finish the game?
Experienced speedrunners focusing only on main objectives can complete the game in 25–30 hours, depending on skill and strategies.
