Assassin’s Creed Shadows is barreling toward its March 20, 2025, release, and Ubisoft’s latest chapter in the 200-million-copy-selling franchise is shaping up to be a beast—set in the war-torn Sengoku period of Feudal Japan, with dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke slicing through a world fans have begged for since Assassin’s Creed II. After dodging delays from November 2024 and a rocky Star Wars Outlaws launch, it’s Ubisoft’s shot at redemption—complete with a prequel manga and a 10-hour DLC on deck. Creative Director Jonathan Dumont, the mastermind behind Odyssey, just dropped a bombshell in a Genki interview (via VGC) that’s got X ablaze and Steam forums humming: the main campaign will take 30–40 hours to conquer, with completionists facing up to 80 hours of ninja-samurai chaos. Oh, and New Game Plus? It’s not a lock, but it’s “under consideration” based on player feedback post-launch. With Shadows promising a return to stealth roots wrapped in RPG flair, these details are catnip for a fanbase split between Valhalla’s sprawl and Mirage’s brevity—here’s what it all means as we count down to Japan.

First, the numbers. That 30–40-hour main story slots Shadows neatly between Origins’ 30-hour Egyptian trek and Odyssey’s 45-hour Greek marathon, per HowLongToBeat (HLTB). It’s a far cry from Valhalla’s beefy 61-hour Viking saga or Mirage’s lean 16-hour Baghdad sprint—Ubisoft’s clearly aiming for a Goldilocks zone: hefty but not overwhelming. For the diehards who’ll scour every castle and shrine, 80 hours tops out below Odyssey’s 84 and Valhalla’s staggering 148, but it’s still double Mirage’s 32-hour full run. X’s @Jorraptor calls it “perfectly balanced”—long enough for Naoe’s shinobi stealth and Yasuke’s samurai brawls to shine, short enough to dodge the “filler” gripes that dogged Valhalla (Reddit’s r/assassinscreed). Steam’s Odyssey fans—163k reviews, “Very Positive”—loved its sprawl; Shadows seems to split the difference, promising depth without drowning you.

AC Shadows’ Length Is Actually Good News

Getting The Most Bang Out Of Your Buck

What’s in those hours? Shadows isn’t just long—it’s dense. Dumont’s team at Ubisoft Quebec, fresh off Odyssey, crafts a Japan of “dynamic” seasons and destructible environs—think cutting through bamboo or smashing doors, per Push Square’s Benoit chat. You’ll swap between Naoe, a hooded assassin with a grappling hook, and Yasuke, the historical Black samurai who storms in guns blazing (well, teppo blazing). PC Gamer’s six-hour preview gushes: Naoe’s rooftop prowls feel like peak Splinter Cell, while Yasuke’s brute force flips it into a warrior fantasy. X’s @assassinscreed teases “?” sync points over full map reveals—exploration’s a hunt, not a checklist. Add a spy network and light-shadow stealth (PlayStation Blog’s castle demo), and 30–40 hours sounds like a tight weave of story and systems—80 if you chase every side quest and loot chest.

The NG+ tease, though? That’s the real kicker. Dumont’s “maybe” hinges on post-launch vibes—Ubisoft’s testing the waters after Origins and Odyssey patched it in, while Valhalla skipped it (Ubisoft’s “depth limits replay” excuse, per ScreenRant’s petition piece). Mirage added NG+ later too, but its small scale fit; Shadows’ RPG heft—gear engravings, mastery points—screams for it. X’s @Okami13_ drools over replaying Japan with maxed builds; Reddit’s “NG+ or bust” threads agree—40 hours feels replayable if you keep your kit. Valhalla fans still petition for it (454 signatures on Change.org)—Shadows could dodge that drama. Steam’s Odyssey NG+ fans rave about refighting Medusa; imagine Yasuke cleaving Oda Nobunaga again, juiced up. It’s not confirmed, but Dumont’s nod feels like a promise—if we yell loud enough.

How Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Length Compares To Previous AC Games

Shadows May Be Long, But It Is Not The Franchise’s Longest

How’s it compare? The series has zigzagged on length. Assassin’s Creed II’s 19-hour Ezio romp (91 Metacritic) was a tight classic; Black Flag’s 23-hour pirate spree added naval flair (94 Metacritic). The RPG shift blew it open—Origins (30 hours), Odyssey (45), Valhalla (61)—piling on side content that thrilled some, exhausted others (Steam’s “too long” Valhalla gripes). Mirage’s 16-hour back-to-basics won stealth purists (81 Metacritic) but left RPG fans cold. Shadows’ 30–40 lands third among mainline games, behind Valhalla and Odyssey, per HLTB—shorter than Valhalla’s slog, meatier than Mirage’s snack. Web leaks (ScreenRant’s Feb 24 stream) hint at a focused Japan—Himeji castles, not endless plains. It’s Origins’ scale with Mirage’s polish, maybe.

Why the range? Playstyle’s king. Rush Naoe and Yasuke’s critical path—kill the Templars, end the war—and 30 hours might do it. Linger on side gigs—conquering tenshu forts, upgrading your hideout (PlayStation Blog)—and 40’s more like it. Completionists hitting 80 hours will wrestle every Samurai Daisho and nab every collectible—think Origins’ 52-hour full run, not Odyssey’s 84-hour grind. Dumont’s Genki chat nods to “vast” side content; X’s @SynthPotato bets on “replay value” with dual heroes. I’ve sunk 60 into Valhalla and felt the bloat—Shadows’ cap at 80 sounds merciful. Post-launch, that 10-hour Claws of Awaji DLC (Radio Times) and NG+ could push it past 100—Odyssey hit 135 with expansions, per HLTB.

NG+ fits Shadows’ bones. Origins and Odyssey let you carry gear and skills—Bayek’s spears, Kassandra’s fire—into round two; Shadows’ engravings and mastery points (GameRant’s dev Q&A) beg for it. Valhalla’s loot excuse—unique chests, no reruns—doesn’t hold here; Shadows’ smaller scope could randomize rewards, per Reddit’s workarounds. X’s @MisterAlpha444 wants “Naoe maxed out day one”—NG+ could deliver. Mirage’s post-launch add proved Ubisoft listens; Shadows’ “feedback” caveat feels like a dare—scream, and we’ll get it. Steam’s Valhalla diehards still beg—Shadows could be the fix.

Does it matter? After Outlaws’ 71 Metacritic flop and Valhalla’s “too big” groans, Shadows’ 30–40 hours feel deliberate—dense, not bloated. I’ve loved Odyssey’s sprawl (87 Metacritic) but zoned out in Valhalla’s shires (84 Metacritic). Shadows—with Naoe’s night stalks and Yasuke’s door-smashing (PC Gamer)—promises variety in tighter bounds. Preorders track with Odyssey’s 3 million week-one haul (Ubisoft’s claim)—Japan’s pull is real. X’s @assassinscreed teases dynamic seasons; 80 hours won’t waste ‘em. NG+ could seal it—Origins’ replay fans swear by it.

Launch is 10 days out—March 20, 2025. Pre-loads start March 17 for PC, 18 for PS5 (GameRant’s timings); I’ll be ready. Shadows’ 30–40 hits my sweet spot—deep enough for Sengoku immersion, short enough to replay if NG+ drops. Odyssey’s 45 wore me thin; Mirage’s 16 left me hungry. Shadows could nail it—stealth reborn, RPG refined. Dumont’s “maybe” on NG+ is a carrot; I’ll be on X yelling for it. Japan’s shadows beckon—40 hours, then 40 more? I’m in.