In an industry where major publishers are increasingly prioritising multiplayer experiences, one reader is championing Assassin's Creed Shadows as a standout solo adventure and a definitive title for 2025.
A Personal Game of the Year
The reader, writing for GameCentral, revealed their immense enjoyment of the game, stating it is definitely my game of the year. This endorsement comes with a significant show of faith: despite already owning the title on PlayStation 5, they are considering a double-dip purchase for the Nintendo Switch 2 version, which launches next week, simply to experience the game's novelty in a portable format.
While acknowledging that Assassin's Creed Shadows might not sweep major award ceremonies, the reader firmly believes that the 'game of the year' is a personal distinction, based purely on enjoyment. They compared it to other 2025 releases, finding Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 not to their taste and recalling a lack of affinity for classics like the original Hades and Hollow Knight. Although Donkey Kong Bananza was deemed good, it was seen as missing a special spark that Shadows possesses in abundance.
Comfort Food Gaming at its Finest
The feature describes the Assassin's Creed franchise as comfort food, a quality the reader defends as a key ingredient in the series' lasting success. After a long day, few things are more appealing than immersing oneself in a well-designed open world for a couple of hours.
This is not to say the game lacks substance. The reader was quick to praise its really good combat, the dynamic provided by two very different characters, and its decent stealth mechanics. While the story was noted as not necessarily the best, it effectively drives the action forward and maintains clarity. The game is acknowledged as large and, typical of the series, a little bloated, but not excessively so. Mission variety is plentiful, and the graphics are fantastic, performing flawlessly within the expansive open world.
A Stand for Single-Player Experiences
The article taps into a broader concern within the gaming community: the perceived decline of big-budget, narrative-driven single-player games. The reader positions Assassin's Creed Shadows as the antithesis of the stressful, competitive environment found in titles like Call of Duty. In Shadows, the player is in complete control; the experience is dedicated solely to their entertainment, free from the interference of some young tyke in another country.
Expressing a tinge of sadness, the reader worries that such immersive solo journeys may become rarer. To support the genre, they plan to purchase Star Wars Outlaws during the Black Friday sales, opting for the Switch 2 version to test its portability.
The piece concludes with a powerful call to action. The reader can't recommend Assassin's Creed Shadows enough, but if its specific setting or 'Ubisoft-ness' is unappealing, they urge gamers to support whichever single-player title does capture their interest. The underlying message is clear: if players do not actively support these experiences, they risk fading into obsolescence.
The reader's feature was published by GameCentral on November 29, 2025.
