Assassin’s Creed Shadowshas fans of the series and newcomers incredibly excited as it is just around the corner. Players have been dreaming of anAssassin’s Creedgame set in Japan for years, and, thankfully, Ubisoft is finally giving the fans what they want with what sounds like a tightly-designed and innovative entry in the series. It seems almost impossible to wait for it to come out, and yet fans must wait just a little longer before it officially launches on June 19, 2025.
Of course,Assassin’s Creed Shadows’many delayshave pushed it back to that date, but that isn’t inherently a bad thing. It gives players plenty of time to check out some similar games that they may enjoy while waiting forShadowsto launch. From other open-world samurai RPGs to some lesser-known cinematic indies,there are a plethora of games just likeShadowsthat players are sure to fall in love with.
10Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere Of Influence (Koei Tecmo)
A Great Way To Learn About Some Of The Characters
TheNobunaga’s Ambitiongames are some of thebest strategy gamesof all time, offering a unique character-driven exploration of Ancient Japan, specifically during the Sengoku in which Oda Nobunaga, one of the greatest figures in Japanese history, attempted to unify the disparate parts of Japan.Players get to build up their own cities, form alliances, marry off their generals, and march armies into dramatic battlesthat are surprisingly beginner-friendly for those new to the genre.
Sphere of Influenceis one of the best games in the series, giving players access to a number of famous generals and characters that they can control and use to conquer Japan. Importantly,Nobunaga is a key figure inAssassin’s Creed Shadows. So, those who are eagerly awaitingShadowscan get to know him and the other characters by playing throughNobunaga’s Ambition.
9Trek To Yomi (Flying Wild Hog)
A Cinematic Samurai Experience
Trek to Yomiis an immensely cinematic action game in which players control Hiroki as he seeks vengeance for the death of his master.The key selling point ofTrek to Yomiis how it feels almost like a movie, with the player shifting between dynamic camera angles as they explore the densely detailed environments. The entire game is played in black and white in homage to the legends of Japanese cinema, especially the movies of Akira Kurosawa.
There’s also a lot of relatively challenging combat against a wide variety of enemies, including some supernatural foes. It requires a deft balancing act as rushing in will only end in disaster. While not quite soulslike,Trek to Yomioften feels like aside-scrollingGhost of Tsushima,offering up an incredible narrative and engaging combat that’s sure to delight samurai fans.
8Way Of The Samurai 3 (ACQUIRE Corp.)
An Action-Packed Samurai Game Where Consequences Matter
The Way of the Samuraiseries is a lesser-known selection of incredible RPGs that prioritize freedom over everything else. Each game offers multiple endings, as well as a variety of ways to approach every mission.What really makes it stand out is its approach to consequences, with players capable of killing every NPC, including quest givers. Not everyWay of the Samuraigame is readily available, butWay of the Samurai 3is and is also, luckily, one of the best in the series.
It features an open world unlike any other, with a bustling main city and a range of surrounding areas that are all fun to explore. There are 20 endings to experience, although the main story won’t take players too long to get through, making it the perfect game to play beforeAssassin’s Creed Shadows. There’s a morality system, the ability to customize weapons, andso much more to discover in what is easily one of the best open-world samurai games of all time.
7Nioh 2 (Team Ninja)
A Stylish Samurai Soulslike
TheNiohgames marked Team Ninja’s foray into the soulslike genre, with the first game offering a genuinely challenging action RPG set in a dark fantasy version of feudal Japan.The sequel was a far more colorful and ambitious take on the foundations established by its predecessor, offering a more complex yet ultimately satisfying soulslike experience that is really like no other.
Wo Long, Nioh, Or Nioh 2 - Which Team Ninja Soulslike You Should Play
With Wo Long marking Team Ninja’s third Soulslike release, the game has drawn comparisons to the studio’s previous work on the Nioh series.
Nioh 2actually serves as a prequel to the first game, making it an ideal starting point for those who want to skipNioh. It’s also not too long, especially for skilled soulslike players, which is why it’s great for those looking for something to pass the time beforeShadowsreleases.Nioh 2is one of themost unique soulslikesavailable, and a great choice for players looking for a challenge.
6Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (FromSoftware)
A Challenging Yet Satisfying Souslike
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis one ofFromSoftware’s toughest games, thanks to its focus on parrying and staggering opponents. While soulslike fans should definitely give it a go, those with poor reaction times should maybe stay away. However,for the brave players who venture deep intoSekiro’sgritty reimagining of the Sengoku period, they’ll be treated to one of the most satisfying action games of all time.
Featuring some of the hardest bosses FromSoftware has ever designed, an engrossing plot, excellent abilities and upgrades, and truly stunning environments,Sekiro: Shadows Die Twiceis a relentless and hauntingly beautiful game that’s worth the patience needed to get through some of its encounters.
5Sengoku Dynasty (Superkami)
A Samurai Life Sim
Sengoku Dynastyfollows theMedieval Dynasty-style life sim experience, allowing players to take on the role of a lone peasant during the Sengoku period as they earn enough to eventually build their own village. The ultimate goal ofSengoku Dynastyis to unify the region map by reclaiming land from rival samurai lords and bandits. To do this, players will need to craft an arsenal of weapons, powerful armor, and cultivate their village.
This can be made easier in co-op, with multiple people adding the ability to build bigger villages and work together in combat. However, it can be played entirely solo as well, with players able to customize and automate their villages to produce the resources they need to take on their foes. With an immersive open world to explore, territories to conquer, skills to unlock, and a legend to leave behind,Sengoku Dynstasyis the perfect game to prepare forAssassin’s Creed Shadows.
4Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (Ubisoft)
The Closest Modern Assassin’s Creed Experience
Of course, one of the best games to play before leaping intoAssassin’s Creed Shadows’enormous world is another of Ubisoft’s modern RPGs,Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. While they obviously don’t share the same setting,Odysseywill give newcomers an insight into Ubisoft’s new approach to open-world design, as well as a look at the mythos and lore behind theAssassin’s Creedseries thatShadowswill likely explore.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Might Be Ubisoft’s Return To Form, But Only If It Fixes This One Major Issue With The Series
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has the potential to be one of Ubisoft’s best games, but it needs to fix a problem the series has suffered from for a while.
Ubisoft has improved upon this formula significantly since the launch ofOdyssey, shrinking its worlds' sizes and adding far more interesting activities to do. However,Shadowsis more in keeping with the seamless open world ofOdysseythan it is of the separate open areas ofValhalla. Naturally, this makes it a far better option to play while waiting forAssassin’s Creed Shadows.
3Rise of the Ronin (Team Ninja)
Another Open-World Samurai RPG
Rise of the Roninis the closest toAssassin’s Creed Shadowsin terms of gameplay and structure, as it offers a fictional retelling of historical events, featuring real people that are somewhat exaggerated to fit the game’s narrative, as well as a vast open-world filled with fun activities to complete. Taking everything Team Ninja learned from developingNioh,Rise of the Roninoffers a robust, action-packed spectacle set in a vibrant world full of secrets.
With optional romance options, meaningful choices, plenty of loot to collect, and a fantastical retelling of history to get immersed in,Rise of the Roninis easily the best game to play for those who want something akin toAssassin’s Creed Shadowsbefore it releases. It is easily one of thebest historical fiction video gamesand a great way of immersing oneself in 1800s Japan.
2Like A Dragon: Ishin! (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)
A Phenomenal Spin-Off
Much likeRise of the Ronin,Like a Dragon: Ishin!is a fantastical reimagining of real people in 1860s Japanthat tells the dark and gritty story of Sakamoto Ryoma as he attempts to uncover the truth about his father’s murder during a time of turmoil and strife. The characters inLike a Dragon: Ishin!, while all real people have the faces and voices of fan-favorite characters from theYakuzaseries, which is a fun nod for those who’ve already invested a lot of time in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s universe.
Featuring engrossing combat with a range of different styles to master, a gorgeous town to explore and get to know, a variety of minigames, and a richly detailed plot full of twists and turns,Like a Dragon: Ishin!is a phenomenal exploration of the time period as well as just a great game. For those who want a mix between life sim and an action-packed RPG,Ishinis the perfect choice.
1Ghost of Tsushima (Sucker Punch Productions)
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Biggest Competition
Of course, a list of samurai games wouldn’t be complete without a mention ofGhost of Tsushima, a game that many are using as the gold standard when scrutinizingAssassin’s Creed Shadows’many trailers. Featuring a unique style of third-person melee combat, excellent stealth mechanics, and a compelling story of survival and the importance of culture and traditions,Ghost of Tsushimais a beautiful triumph that’s a must-play RPG.
Ghost of Tsushima Review: Perfectly Balanced
Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima blends story and gameplay together in an experience both incredibly familiar but also decidedly unique and enjoyable.
With a great and lengthy DLC that expands on the protagonist, Jin’s, backstory,Ghost of Tsushimahas plenty of content to keep players busy beforeAssassin’s Creed Shadowsreleases. Fortunately, for those who don’t loveGhost of Tsushima, there are still plenty of other amazing options for those looking for a great and unique take on the samurai genre akin to whatAssassin’s Creed Shadowslooks set to offer.
