When Ghost of Tsushima launched in 2020, it set a towering standard for open-world games set in feudal Japan. Developed by Sucker Punch Productions, it wowed players with its cinematic combat, breathtaking landscapes, and a compelling narrative centered on Jin Sakai’s transformation into the titular “Ghost.” For years, it stood as the benchmark for samurai-themed gaming—until Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows arrived in 2025, swinging into the same historical sandbox with a shinobi twist. Fans of both titles have been locked in heated debates, but there’s a growing consensus that Shadows surpasses Ghost in several key areas. From stealth mechanics to world design, here are five ways Assassin’s Creed Shadows edges out its predecessor and redefines what a feudal Japan epic can be.

1. Superior Stealth Mechanics: A Shinobi’s Dream

One of the most striking differences between Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Ghost of Tsushima lies in their approach to stealth. While Ghost offers a respectable stealth system—complete with tall grass, kunai throws, and smoke bombs—it often feels like a secondary option to its standout combat. Players can sneak through Mongol camps, but the mechanics lack depth, and the AI’s detection feels forgiving, making stealth more of a convenience than a challenge. In contrast, Shadows elevates stealth to an art form, drawing on Ubisoft’s decades of experience refining the Assassin’s Creed formula.

With its dual protagonists, Naoe (a nimble shinobi) and Yasuke (a powerful samurai), Shadows offers a tailored stealth experience through Naoe’s toolkit. Her grappling hook, prone crawling, and kusarigama weapon introduce a level of versatility Jin Sakai could only dream of. The game’s enemy AI is notably sharper, reacting to light, sound, and even subtle disturbances in the environment. Sneaking through a castle in Shadows feels like a high-stakes puzzle—douse a lantern here, swing across a rooftop there, or silently drop from a beam to eliminate a guard. This depth makes stealth not just viable but thrilling, outclassing Ghost’s more straightforward approach. For players who crave the tension of being a shadow in the night, Shadows delivers in spades.

2. A More Dynamic and Alive Open World

Ghost of Tsushima is undeniably beautiful, with its wind-swept fields and vibrant color palette evoking the spirit of a Kurosawa film. However, its world can feel static at times. Villages are small and sparse, NPCs rarely move beyond their fixed positions, and the island of Tsushima—while historically accurate in its rugged isolation—lacks the bustle of a living, breathing society. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set in the late Sengoku period across a broader swath of Japan, takes a different tack, crafting an open world that feels dynamic and immersive.

The seasonal system in Shadows is a game-changer. As spring turns to summer, then autumn and winter, the landscape transforms—cherry blossoms fall, rivers freeze, and NPCs adapt their behavior accordingly. Villagers huddle indoors during rainstorms, guards slack off in the snow, and entire strategies shift with the weather. Add to that destructible environments (burn a watchtower, and it stays burned) and a higher density of interactive NPCs, and Shadows creates a world that reacts to your presence. Exploration feels rewarding, with cultural activities like tea ceremonies and Sumi-e painting tying you to the setting in a way Ghost’s haikus and fox dens never quite manage. While Ghost paints a pretty picture, Shadows brings feudal Japan to life.

3. Dual Protagonists for Varied Playstyles

Ghost of Tsushima tells a singular story through Jin Sakai, a samurai torn between honor and pragmatism. It’s a focused narrative, but it limits gameplay variety to his skill set—swordplay, archery, and basic stealth. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, however, doubles down with Naoe and Yasuke, offering two distinct perspectives and playstyles that enrich the experience. Naoe’s agility and stealth contrast sharply with Yasuke’s brute strength and direct combat approach, giving players the freedom to switch between finesse and force.

This duality isn’t just a gimmick; it’s woven into the game’s design. Missions can be tackled differently depending on your chosen character—Naoe might infiltrate a fortress unseen, while Yasuke storms the gates, scattering enemies with his katana. The skill trees for each character are robust, allowing deep customization that Ghost lacks. Want Naoe to be an untouchable phantom or Yasuke a towering tank? The choice is yours. This flexibility adds replayability and keeps the gameplay fresh, making Shadows a more versatile adventure than Ghost’s one-note journey.

4. Deeper RPG Elements and Progression

While Ghost of Tsushima includes gear and upgrades, its RPG elements are light. Armor sets offer minor stat boosts, and charms provide small buffs, but the progression system feels shallow compared to modern action-RPGs. Combat skill unlocks are satisfying, but they don’t drastically alter how you play. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, building on the RPG framework of recent Assassin’s Creed titles like Odyssey and Valhalla, takes progression to another level.

In Shadows, gear matters. Weapons and armor come with meaningful stats that impact combat and stealth—think increased critical damage for Naoe’s blades or higher armor for Yasuke’s samurai gear. The transmog system lets you customize appearances without sacrificing performance, a feature Ghost sorely misses. Skill trees are expansive, offering dozens of abilities that unlock new strategies, from chaining assassinations to summoning distractions. This depth creates a sense of growth that Ghost can’t match—by the end of Shadows, you feel like a legend forged through your choices, not just a samurai handed a preset destiny.

5. Enhanced Parkour and Traversal

Traversal in Ghost of Tsushima is functional but limited. Jin can climb certain surfaces, leap across gaps, and ride his horse, but the system lacks the fluidity and freedom that Assassin’s Creed fans expect. The world’s design, while gorgeous, often funnels you along predetermined paths due to unclimbable cliffs and sparse verticality. Shadows reclaims the franchise’s parkour roots, delivering a traversal system that outshines Ghost in both style and substance.

Naoe, in particular, is a parkour prodigy. Her grappling hook lets her swing between rooftops, while improved climbing mechanics allow her to scale castles and trees with ease. The level design supports this, with verticality baked into towns and fortresses—think multi-tiered pagodas and sprawling estates begging to be explored from above. Even Yasuke, though less nimble, can clamber up structures in a way Jin never could. This freedom of movement makes Shadows feel like a true Assassin’s Creed game, where the world is your playground, not just a scenic backdrop.

Conclusion: A New Standard for Feudal Japan

Ghost of Tsushima will always hold a special place in gaming history. Its combat is unparalleled in its cinematic flair, and its art direction remains a visual feast. But Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t just mimic its predecessor—it builds on it, addressing its shortcomings with a bolder, broader vision. Superior stealth, a living world, dual protagonists, deep RPG mechanics, and fluid parkour give Shadows an edge that Ghost can’t quite counter. Is it perfect? No—some critics argue its combat lacks Ghost’s precision, and its story doesn’t hit the same emotional beats. Yet, in these five areas, Shadows proves Ubisoft has learned from the past to craft a future classic.

For fans of feudal Japan, both games are must-plays. But if you’re looking for an experience that pushes boundaries and offers more ways to live the shinobi and samurai fantasy, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the new king of the castle. Dive in and see for yourself why it’s rewriting the rules of the genre.