Assassin’s Creed Shadows comes out tomorrow, and we are already loving it—so much that we gave it a perfect score on our review. It’s a fantastic new franchise entry, maintaining the series's strongest aspects: stealth and action.
However, not all of us have the budget to buy all the latest games. Fret not—other ways exist to enjoy a good old Samurai experience without breaking the bank.
Here are 5 games to play if you can’t get Assassin’s Creed Shadows yet.
Ghost of Tsushima
The closest thing to an Assassin’s Creed Shadows-like game is none other than Sucker Punch’s award-winning open-world title. Despite being set 300 years before the events of Shadows, Ghost of Tsushima does a phenomenal job of emulating the Assassin’s Creed formula without losing its identity. It masterfully blends stealth and action into a gripping story about the struggle to honor a dying creed.
Its characters have heart, and its open world is teeming with atmospheric delights that make me want to visit Japan... without the Mongol invasion.
If Shadows is still out of reach financially, Jin Sakai has your back. Ghost of Tsushima is often available at a discount in the secondhand market and frequently goes on sale, especially during Sony’s monthly deals.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
If you crave the sharp sting of cold steel, FromSoftware’s Sekiro is the perfect fit.
Be warned, though—it isn’t easy. This is a FromSoftware game through and through, and it’s not the best choice if you’re new to the genre. But the journey is well worth it if you can endure its punishing difficulty.
While its stealth mechanics aren’t as deep as those in Assassin’s Creed or Ghost of Tsushima, Sekiro’s fluid gameplay and satisfying parry mechanics make combat almost like a rhythm game.
Since Activision published Sekiro, FromSoftware rarely discounts it, but if it ever goes on sale, grab it.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag
Edward Kenway’s pirate adventures are a great alternative if you crave a good Assassin’s Creed experience. While it doesn’t take place in Feudal Japan, Black Flag retains the signature AC formula, featuring stealth assassinations and a compelling narrative.
The modern-day storyline may take a backseat these days, but Black Flag is a great way to revisit the Animus and the modern-world segments that later games struggled to develop.
Let’s not forget that Black Flag is widely regarded as one of the best in the series. If it’s still too pricey, consider picking up older entries like the original Assassin’s Creed or the entire Ezio Trilogy.
Nioh
Another excellent alternative to Assassin’s Creed Shadows is Koei Tecmo’s Nioh.
While it leans more into fantasy than historical accuracy, Nioh expertly blends Japan’s rich history with elements of Japanese mythology. History buffs fascinated by the Sengoku era will find plenty to love—despite the presence of monstrous foes.
Nioh also serves as an unofficial prequel to Shadows, taking place a few years earlier. Fans of the hit TV show Shogun will enjoy the supernatural twists woven into the story of William Adams and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
It frequently goes on sale; chances are, some of you already have it in your library. If so, now’s the perfect time to dive in—along with its sequel—while you wait for Shadows to drop in price.
Total War: Shogun 2
If action-adventure games aren’t your thing, Total War: Shogun 2 offers a more strategic alternative. Creative Assembly’s turn-based tactics masterpiece lets you indulge in the fantasy of conquest and dominance.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in the final stage of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, but Total War: Shogun 2 gives you a broader perspective, placing you in command of massive armies instead of a lone assassin. Here, you’re not sneaking through the shadows as Naoe or Yasuke—you’re orchestrating entire wars.
Watching thousands of troops line up on the battlefield is a glorious sight, and the game provides a solid history lesson on Japan’s Warring States period before you dive into Shadows’ more focused narrative.
With over a decade of history behind it, Shogun 2 is incredibly affordable.
There are plenty of other great Samurai and Shinobi titles out there, but these games offer some of the best, most budget-friendly experiences that align with Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ themes. Don’t worry if you can’t pick up Shadows right away—it’s not going anywhere. FOMO is a money-killer, and Ubisoft is known for offering discounts on its big games after a few months.
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