Assassin's Creed Shadows Sets a High Bar For The Splinter…

Ubisoft is in a bit of a rough spot. Put simply, 2024 was not a good year for the publisher. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was a critical hit but a commercial flop. Skull and Bones was a live-service disappointment almost a decade in the making. And even the inherent brand power of Star Wars Outlaws couldn't attract players. Ubisoft desperately needed a win, and Assassin's Creed Shadows seems like it may have been just that, at least in terms of sales.

In just three days, Assassin's Creed Shadows reportedly sold more than two million copies. While this is more than Star Wars Outlaws sold in its first two months, it still won't be enough to save Ubisoft completely. However, it could be enough to keep the company afloat for a little bit longer, long enough for the long-awaited Splinter Cell remake to finally rear its head. Announced all the way back in 2021, a remake of the 2002 stealth classic Splinter Cell is still in development, and, according to Insider Gaming, is currently set for a 2026 release. But given Assassin's Creed Shadows' improvements to stealth, a simple remake of Splinter Cell's original gameplay might not be enough for fans anymore.

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By Josh Cotts

Assassin's Creed Shadows' Stealth Mechanics Set High Expectations For The Splinter Cell Remake

Assassin's Creed Shadows Goes All-In on Stealth

When Assassin's Creed debuted in 2007, stealth was a core pillar of its gameplay. Though player-character Altair could run across rooftops and parry oncoming sword attacks, his toolset primarily revolved around hiding in plain sight, assassinating from the shadows, and disappearing without a trace.

Gradually, over time, the Assassin's Creed franchise became more action-focused, putting less of an emphasis on careful planning and execution and more of a focus on counters, dodges, and weaponry. This shift became even more apparent with Assassin's Creed Origins' release in 2017, which introduced a bevy of action-RPG elements that the series has continued to embrace.

But for the first time in a long time, Assassin's Creed Shadows brings back the series' original stealth focus, at least for one half of its dual protagonists. A shinobi trained by famed real-life ninja Momochi Sandayu, Naoe's entire moveset and toolset revolves around stealth.

Unlike in previous Assassin's Creed RPG entries, Naoe's Hidden Blade can instantly kill most regular enemies, and severely wound more experienced foes. Shadows' also introduces a titular mechanic, whereby players can extinguish light sources and hide in darkened areas to remain unnoticed. A new prone mechanic gives players more control over how they approach unsuspecting targets. And a new physics-based grappling hook allows players to stick to the rooftops, ascend buildings quickly, hide in the rafters above enemies, and air assassinate targets below them.

While Naoe has access to a katana, tanto, and kusarigama, and she can still hold her own in a one-on-one fight, players are heavily encouraged to remain in stealth for as long as possible when playing as the shinobi, as she can crumple quickly when being attacked by a large group.

The Splinter Cell Remake Might Need to Come Up With Some New Tricks

A lot of Assassin's Creed Shadows' stealth mechanics might feel familiar to fans of another long-running Ubisoft franchise. The game's light and shadow mechanic feels heavily inspired by Splinter Cell, and its new prone mechanic and ascension tool bear some similarities as well.

While fans expect these staple series mechanics to be present in the upcoming Splinter Cell remake, they shouldn't be the only tricks protagonist Sam Fisher has up his sleeve anymore. Back in 2022, Splinter Cell remake's technical director, Christian Carriere, mentioned that the remake will include improved enemy AI and lighting systems. These features should be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Splinter Cell remake's new gameplay mechanics, with AC Shadows having just set a surprisingly high bar with its stealth.

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