How Long Does It Take to Beat Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings the series to feudal Japan, a setting fans have wanted for more than a decade. With two protagonists, an open world full of stealth, combat, and exploration, and Ubisoft’s trademark attention to historical detail, it’s the kind of game that invites both quick assassinations and long, immersive playthroughs.

But with such a large world and two parallel stories to experience, many players are wondering just how long Assassin’s Creed Shadows actually takes to complete. Like most entries in the series, the answer depends heavily on how you play.

In this guide, we’ll break down the average playtimes for finishing the main story, exploring everything the world has to offer, and completing the game 100 percent. We’ll also compare it to other modern Assassin’s Creed titles so you know what kind of time commitment to expect.

Main Story Length

If you focus on the main story and keep side activities to a minimum, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will take most players around 25 to 35 hours to finish.

This estimate comes from playthroughs that stick to main missions, critical story arcs, and key character quests for both protagonists. The game alternates between Naoe, a skilled shinobi, and Yasuke, a samurai who can switch between stealth and direct combat. Each has unique storylines that eventually intersect, so players will naturally spend time swapping between them as the main plot unfolds.

Compared to recent Assassin’s Creed titles, Shadows has a more focused narrative pace. It doesn’t rely as heavily on massive map icons or filler content. That makes it more in line with Assassin’s Creed Origins (30-35 hours) than with Valhalla, which could stretch past 60 hours just for the main story.

Ubisoft also gives players some flexibility: if you prefer to lean on stealth and approach missions carefully, you’ll likely add a few hours. Those who favor direct combat may move through missions faster, but miss some of the slower, atmospheric moments that make the world shine.

In short:Main Story: 25-35 hoursBalanced Playthrough: 30-40 hours

Main Story + Side Content

For most players, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will settle in around 50 to 60 hours if you complete a healthy mix of side activities.

The game features multiple types of content beyond the main story, including:

• Contracts and Assassinations: Optional missions that deepen your relationship with local factions and provide rare gear.
• Shrine Discoveries: Short environmental puzzles that unlock new stealth tools or upgrades.
• Historical Encounters: Real-world figures, moments, and locations that expand the lore.
• Companion Missions: Smaller stories tied to Naoe and Yasuke’s allies.

Many of these optional objectives have meaningful rewards, and several feed directly into your characters’ skill trees. The structure is tighter than Valhalla or Odyssey, but still rich enough to reward exploration.

If you take your time to explore the regions, find key upgrades, and complete secondary quests, expect closer to 60 hours before the credits roll.

100 Percent Completion Time

For completionists, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will take approximately 90 to 110 hours.

This includes:

• Completing all storylines and side quests
• Unlocking every ability for both protagonists
• Finding every shrine, relic, and hidden collectible
• Completing all contracts and faction challenges
• Finishing all hidden or secret endings

While the map is not as overwhelming as Valhalla, the addition of two playable characters means you’ll have two full progression paths to manage. Each has their own skill trees, weapon sets, and stealth tools, encouraging players to experiment with both.

If you are the type who enjoys clearing the map, experimenting with all builds, and mastering every stealth approach, Shadows offers plenty of depth without padding.

Full Completion: 90-110 hours

Story Structure and Mission Pacing

Unlike some earlier Assassin’s Creed games, Shadows uses a dual-character progression system that naturally extends playtime. Missions are often split between stealth-oriented and combat-focused objectives, depending on who you’re playing.

Naoe’s missions are slower and reward patience, with opportunities to infiltrate castles, sabotage supplies, and assassinate key targets quietly. Yasuke’s missions favor direct engagement, combining samurai duels and large-scale battles.

This dynamic structure keeps the pacing fresh, but it also means you’ll spend extra time replaying certain encounters or switching between skill sets. Players who try to fully upgrade both characters will easily pass 70 hours even without touching every collectible.

Ubisoft also refined mission length and flow. Most main quests run 20 to 30 minutes, making them manageable chunks rather than marathon sessions. This allows for natural stopping points, a welcome change from the multi-hour sagas of Odyssey or Valhalla.

Open World and Exploration

The world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is dense, detailed, and designed for discovery rather than bloat. Set during Japan’s Sengoku period, it captures both urban sprawl and natural beauty: mountain temples, seaside villages, and battle-scarred castles all waiting to be explored.

The new seasons and weather system also play a role in pacing. Different conditions affect stealth visibility and traversal, meaning some missions or collectibles are easier to access in specific seasons. These environmental factors subtly extend total playtime for those aiming for 100 percent.

Players who like to take their time-stopping for photo mode, completing shrines, or just exploring historical landmarks-could easily spend 70 to 80 hours without even chasing completion goals.

How Shadows Compares to Other Assassin’s Creed Games

To help set expectations, here’s how Shadows stacks up to recent mainline Assassin’s Creed entries in terms of playtime:

Ubisoft seems to have found a middle ground here: Shadows is smaller and more focused than Valhalla, but larger and more layered than Mirage. It’s long enough to feel substantial, without overstaying its welcome.

This makes Shadows an ideal entry point for players who love open-world adventure but don’t have time for another 100-hour RPG grind.

Playstyle Differences and Replay Value

How long Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes also depends on how you choose to play.

If you lean into stealth with Naoe, missions take longer as you plan, sneak, and use gadgets to stay undetected. If you prefer Yasuke’s brute-force combat, the same missions can go much faster-but you’ll likely miss hidden routes or optional assassination opportunities.

There’s also a degree of replay value built in. Some story choices affect how certain factions respond or which allies survive. These differences don’t completely change the ending, but they give your second playthrough a slightly different flavor. Players who enjoy mastering stealth or testing different builds will find solid incentive to return.

Most players will finish Shadows once, but fans who want to see every route or complete both protagonists’ stories perfectly could easily add another 20 hours.

Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows Worth the Time?

In a series known for sprawling worlds, Assassin’s Creed Shadows strikes an appealing balance between length and depth. It’s long enough to feel rich and complete, but focused enough to avoid the fatigue that set in with Odyssey and Valhalla.

For story-focused players, a 30-hour playthrough feels tight and rewarding. For completionists, 100 hours of content ensures there’s always something to chase. The dual-protagonist structure adds replayability, while the smaller, handcrafted regions make exploration satisfying instead of overwhelming.

If you’ve been waiting for Assassin’s Creed to return to more grounded storytelling while keeping the scale of recent entries, Shadows delivers exactly that. It’s a big game, but not a bloated one-and that’s something the series has been missing.

Final Thoughts

Main Story: 25-35 hoursMain + Side Content: 50-60 hoursFull Completion: 90-110 hours

For most players, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will take around 50 hours to feel complete without burning out. It’s an impressive world with two compelling leads and enough variety to keep every hour engaging.

Whether you explore every corner or just experience the story, Shadows offers a fulfilling adventure that respects your time while reminding you why Assassin’s Creed remains one of gaming’s most consistent franchises.