Assassin's Creed Shadows vs Ghost of Yotei
Ubisoft's stealth fantasy versus Sucker Punch's action sequel — one trusts your assassin kit, the other trusts your sword arm.
Updated 24d ago
The wait-for-the-complete-edition play just expired: Ubisoft shipped its closing patch this month and never cut the $69.99. Overpriced at list, sharp on sale.
A bigger, blunter sequel — combat nails the first game's feel, but the story fumbles momentum. Fans of Tsushima won't regret it.
By the numbers
Prices checked Sep 12; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.
Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Sep 12.
| Measure | Assassin's Creed Shadows | Ghost of Yotei |
|---|---|---|
| Value | ||
| Price now | $22.40 −68% · Ubisoft Store | — |
| All-time low | $25.20 | — |
| Cost / hour | $0.63/hr $22.40 · 36 h main story | — |
| Off its low | At its low low was Sep 2026 | — |
| Main story | 36 h | — |
| Health | ||
| Steam reviews | 75% 39k reviews | — |
| Recent reviews | 61% 444 votes · vs 75% lifetime · souring | — |
| Metacritic user score | — | 8.1/10 3,638 ratings |
| Peak players | 5,021 Aug 2026 · ↓ 30% MoM | — No PC release |
| Launch peak | 8% of Mar 2025 launch peak · as of Aug 2026 | — |
| All-time peak | 64,627 Mar 2025 | — |
| Support | ||
| Last patch | 4 weeks ago | — |
| Patch cadence | 2 in last 90 days | — |
| Steam Deck | Gold | — |
What players say
Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Feudal Japan itself — the seasons, the light and Naoe's stealth kit keep 100-hour players exploring long after the story stops mattering.
A thin story, an open world that repeats itself, and a launcher that locks them out — and the Claws of Awaji expansion made the first two worse.
from our July 2026 verdict
Ghost of Yotei
Combat depth is the anchor; reviewers across the spectrum call the stance-switching and parry dance the high point.
Story tedium is the recurring sore spot — reviewers say the revenge tale drags and the new protagonist lacks Jin's magnetism.
from our August 2026 verdict
Key differences
Which one is for you?
Pick Assassin's Creed Shadows if
- Feudal Japan is the whole draw and you want the best-looking world Ubisoft has built
- You play stealth-first and want a real assassin kit again
- Sixty-plus hours in one open world reads as value to you rather than homework
Pick Ghost of Yotei if
- You mainlined Tsushima and want more of that combat dance
- DualSense haptics matter to you — this game puts them to work
- You're fine with a slower, moodier revenge arc unfolding over 40 hours
Bottom line
After 16 months, Shadows is still $69.99 and its monthly peak is 11% of launch — wait for a sale; Yotei is the pick for Tsushima fans who want a familiar, polished sequel.