If you’re like us, Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ recent delay – moving to 2025 – has left a shuriken-shaped hole in our game plan. After all, it can feel like an eternity to have to wait a few more months if you were really looking forward to the game, but don’t worry, the good thing about the gaming industry is that there are definitely tons of other games out there to occupy your time claim.
While there are plenty of open-world games to delve into to pass the time while you wait for AC: Shadows, our focus here is on the setting, the feel, and ultimately the atmosphere. We’re not just looking for other games with similar gameplay, because that would just mean a list of other Assassin’s Creed and probably Elden Ring. No, no, we aim for something better.
Simply put, Nioh 2 is a gem of a game. You take on the role of a protagonist who is part yokai, meaning he can absorb the power of the demons running amok in Japan and take their form to aid in battles. As you would expect from a Koei Tecmo game, there are numerous weapons and playstyles to choose from, and it features arguably one of the best co-op systems of any game in this genre. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun, with an excellent story full of historical characters from the Sengoku period.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands out from most FromSoftware games in that while you can take different paths through the game, it lacks some of the typical tropes, such as build variety and, as we say it may, an open narrative actually has history. You play as Wolf, a character who has sworn to protect his master and has gained the ability to rise from the dead on the eve of a great war. You must kill demons, humans and powerful monkeys to succeed in this action souls-like adventure.
If you’re looking for something more tactical to pass the time, then Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is the ideal choice. In Shadow Tactics, a hardcore tactical stealth game, you take control of an entire cast of amazing characters, including a ninja and a samurai, each of whom must learn and master their own skills and abilities to put down a rebellion and some uncover seriously deep conspiracies. The gameplay is truly one of the best in the genre and is reminiscent of the Edo period setting.
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is an action-adventure that takes the amazing Ryu Ga Gotoku series into the age of the samurai. This means that alongside chaotic action and borderline slapstick violence, you can expect tons of fascinating characters, all sorts of mini-games and a beautiful world to explore. It’s just a lot of fun, and if you want to live properly in this era, you could do far worse than investing in a copy of Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Ultimately, it could be Ghost of Tsushima The The game is most similar to Assassin’s Creed Shadows on this list and that’s not a bad thing. It follows Jin as he fights his way through the island of Tsushima, virtually single-handedly repelling a Mongol invasion. It’s a brutal action-adventure that offers a stunning open world to explore and even offers an incredibly cool black and white picture mode if you feel like you’re in an old-school samurai movie. Plus, with a sequel recently announced, there’s no better time to experience Ghost of Tsushima.