Assassin’s Creed Shadows is plagued with a number of issues. However, Ubisoft wouldn’t fail on the microtransaction side.

There’s no denying the fact that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is one of the most controversial games ever developed by Ubisoft. It’s been delayed a number of times to ensure that it’s free from bugs and issues and doesn’t prove to be another disaster like Star Wars Outlaws.

Will Shadows live up to the expectations? (Image via Ubisoft)

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been under fire for its cultural and historical representation. Gamers believe that it’s going to be yet another bland and boring Assassin’s Creed title. It’s going to be interesting to see how Ubisoft manages to deal with this criticism, but one thing it doesn’t need to sweat about is microtransactions.

Microtransactions aren’t the main concern in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Microtransactions are mild and optional in Assassin’s Creed games. (Image via Ubisoft)

Over the years, we’ve seen tons of gamers complaining that microtransactions don’t really belong in Assassin’s Creed games. With the recent leaks of Assassin’s Creed Shadows gameplay, there’s evidence that the single-player title will once again feature some monetization tactics.

Sure, microtransactions don’t have a place in any single-player game, but it doesn’t change the fact that Assassin’s Creed franchise doesn’t lock content behind paywalls like the live-service games. Ubisoft doesn’t make the mistake of focusing the entire game on the idea of microtransactions; they’re just add-ons to the overall experience.

The majority of the in-game armor sets, weapons, and other items one can find in Assassin’s Creed titles can be simply obtained by grinding through the game. If that isn’t someone’s cup of tea, and they prefer an easy adventure, they can simply purchase items from the store.

We can blame Ubisoft for ruining its franchises to the ground, creating horrible games, and lacking innovation. However, we have to agree that the French publishers’ take on microtransactions in its single-player title is the least predatory one in the industry. All purchases affect no one but the players themselves; there isn’t any kind of unequal battleground.

Considering Ubisoft’s past with microtransactions in Assassin’s Creed franchise, it’s likely that Shadows won’t deviate from the pattern. Just like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, gamers might get the chance to earn premium in-game currency in Shadows to purchase all kinds of microtransactions. None of these purchases will be essential to experience the journey of Yasuke and Naoe.

Instead of bashing Ubisoft for microtransactions, gamers really need to pay attention to how Shadows elevates the Assassin’s Creed formula. It’s a make-or-break title for the future of Ubisoft, and it must freshen up the core experience of the franchise that’s been stale for years. Let’s hope that Ubisoft can make advances on that side of the game.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will feature a DLC

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ first expansion looks promising. (Image via Ubisoft)

Gamers have been hoping that the next Assassin’s Creed Shadows will help the franchise redeem its reputation. With Ubisoft’s latest update on the future of the game, it’s clear that the French publisher is taking the project seriously.

Even though Assassin’s Creed Shadows is weeks away from release, its first expansion, called Claws of Awaji, has been confirmed. In this DLC, there will be a brand-new location to unravel called the island of Awaji. Naoe and Yasuke must fend off against Sanzoku Ippa, and find the lost treasure.

According to Ubisoft, Claws of Awaji will add 10 hours of gameplay and will be released at some point in 2025. Gamers who pre-order the base game will get the DLC for absolutely free. That’s not all; pre-orders will also give a side quest dubbed “Thrown to the Dogs.”

With that said, do you think Assassin’s Creed Shadows needs to drop microtransactions? Let us know in the comments below.