Assassin’s Creed Shadows has impressed with its launch, but it still faces challenges in Steam rankings. Can it reach its full potential?

The launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows has certainly been an eventful journey. From having serious doubts about the future of the series and studio to opening with a great response from players and even achieving an insane milestone of 2 million players on launch, it has certainly left a mark.

Shadows had a great launch. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

However, despite its early success and critical acclaim, Shadows still has a long way to go before reaching the summit of the Assassin’s Creed franchise in terms of Steam reviews. While the game has climbed to impressive heights, it has still only surpassed 5 titles in the franchise.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A strong start, but a steep climb ahead

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows has made a remarkable debut, with millions of players eager to experience its cinematic story and stealth-driven gameplay set in the majestic lands of Japan. It’s clear that the game has struck a chord with fans who wanted the series to return to its roots.

However, despite its great launch and the praise it’s garnered, the game’s performance in terms of Steam reviews tells a different story. While Shadows is certainly performing well, it’s still far from being regarded as the best of the series.

As of now, it holds an 81% approval rating on Steam, good but not extraordinary. In a franchise that has seen 14 total games (including Shadows), this ranking is far from a guarantee of success.

If we compare the ratings, it has surpassed only five previous Assassin’s Creed titles in Steam reviews: AC 3, AC Unity, AC Syndicate, AC Valhalla, and AC Mirage.

While this is no small feat, it shows that Shadows has yet to match the heights of some of its predecessors, particularly the fan-favorite titles within the series, such as Odyssey, AC II, Black Flag, etc.

One step closer to restoring faith in the franchise

Developers need to keep the momentum going. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

The Assassin’s Creed franchise has always been known for its ups and downs. Titles like AC II and Black Flag were widely celebrated, but others have failed to live up to the same standard.

While the series has certainly come a long way, it still has some work to do. If Shadows wants to climb the ladder, Ubisoft needs to show more commitment towards its own titles. Multiple delays might have saved this one, but it’s unlikely to be the case for future releases.

Let’s be positive, though; the studio has faced so many controversies, and despite them, it managed to deliver. This, in itself, is an achievement, as it shows that maybe Ubisoft is finally listening to its community and trying to bring back what made the franchise great.

In the end, Shadows may not have topped the Assassin’s Creed rankings just yet, but its future is still bright. With a strong foundation to build upon, the game has the potential to grow and improve over time. One expansion is already planned, and now it’s a matter of patience to see if it delivers as well.