Renowned game developer Hideki Kamiya, the mind behind the iconic Bayonetta series, has stepped in to defend the recently launched Assassin’s Creed Shadows. He contends that much of the negativity directed towards the game has arisen from a small yet vocal group of “intense critics.”
The launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been tumultuous, facing backlash for its portrayal of Yasuke, the inclusion of romance narratives, and controversial gameplay mechanics that allow players to vandalize historical shrines. This particular aspect has drawn the scrutiny of the Japanese government due to concerns about the cultural impact of overtourism in the country.
In response to player feedback, Ubisoft took the initiative to release a day-one patch aimed at mitigating some of these issues; however, this update hasn’t significantly assuaged the ongoing debates surrounding the title. Despite the storm of criticism, Kamiya, known for his contributions to beloved franchises like Okami, Resident Evil 2, and Devil May Cry, feels the backlash is disproportionate.
Kamiya’s Take on the Controversy
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Kamiya expressed his sympathy for Ubisoft, noting the harsh criticism of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. He shared, “It’s unfortunate that the game is receiving so much backlash, but I’m pleased to see it performing well in both sales and reviews.”
As of March 2025, Assassin’s Creed Shadows holds the record for the largest Steam launch in the franchise’s history, achieving a peak player count of approximately 64, 825. Furthermore, it has attracted over two million players across various platforms, outperforming the launch figures of earlier titles like AC Origins and Odyssey.
I felt bad that it was being criticized so much, but I’m glad that it seems to be doing well both in sales and reviews…Assassin’s Creed: Shadows has officially announced that it has surpassed 2 million players. The maximum number of concurrent users on Steam has also surpassed that of previous titles. It has also been reported that sales of the packaged version in the UK are the highest this year.https: //t.co/C9YVY1pOaw
— Hideki Kamiya🍀 (@HidekiKamiya_X) March 24, 2025
Kamiya suggests that the extensive criticism toward the game may largely stem from a small faction of passionate detractors.“This phenomenon isn’t exclusive to this situation. While a few vocal individuals express their discontent loudly, the majority of players who find the game acceptable remain largely silent, ” he noted.“Perhaps there is a way to amplify the voices of these ‘normal’ players?”
Although Assassin’s Creed Shadows may not resonate with every gamer, it has garnered a commendable position in the roster of Assassin’s Creed titles. In fact, our review ranks it as one of the strongest entries since Black Flag.
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