If you are anything like us, the recent delay to Assassin’s Creed Shadows – pushing it back to 2025 – has left a shuriken-shaped hole in our gaming schedule. After all, having to wait a few more months can feel like an eternity if you were really looking forward to the game, but never fear, the good thing about the gaming industry is that there are bound to be countless other games to occupy your time.
Whilst there are a lot of open-world games out there that you can delve into to pass the time whilst you wait for AC: Shadows, our focus here is on the setting, the feeling and ultimately the vibe. We’re not after just other games with similar gameplay, because those would just mean a list of other Assassin’s Creed and probably Elden Ring. No no, we’re going for something better than that.
Nioh 2
Quite simply put, Nioh 2 is a gem of a game. It puts you in the shoes of a protagonist who’s part Yokai, which means that they can absorb the power of the demons running amok in Japan and take their form to help in fights. As you would expect from a Koei Tecmo game, there are loads of weapons and playstyles to choose from, and it boasts arguably one of the best co-op systems of any game in the genre. It’s also just a huge amount of fun, with an excellent story bursting at the seams with historical characters from the Sengoku period.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands out from most of the FromSoftware games as, while you can take different paths through the game, it lacks some of the typical tropes, such as build variety, and, dare we say it, actually has an overtly told story. You play as Wolf, a character who’s sworn to protect their lord, and on the eve of a great war, has gained the ability to come back from the dead. You’ll need to slay demons, humans, and mighty apes to succeed in your quest in this Action Soul-like.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
If you’re looking for something a bit more tactical to pass the time, then Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is the ideal choice. A hardcore tactical stealth game, Shadow Tactics sees you take control of a whole group of amazing characters, including a ninja and a samurai, each of whom has their own skills and abilities to learn and master in their pursuit of overthrowing a rebellion and uncovering some seriously deep conspiracies. The gameplay is genuinely some of the best in the genre, and it nails its Edo-period setting.
Like A Dragon: Ishin!
Like a Dragon: Ishin! is an action-adventure that takes the amazing series from Ryu Ga Gotoku into the age of the samurai. That means you can expect all of the chaotic action and borderline slapstick violence alongside plenty of fascinating characters, all sorts of mini-games, and a beautiful world to explore. It’s just a lot of fun, and if you’re looking to inhabit this era properly, you could do a lot worse than investing in a copy of Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Ghost of Tsushima
Ultimately, Ghost of Tsushima might be the game 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 Tsushima Island and practically single-handedly repels a Mongol invasion. A brutal action adventure, it offers a stunning open world to explore and even has an incredibly cool black-and-white visual mode to play if you fancy feeling like you’re in an old-school samurai film. Plus, with a sequel recently announced there is no better time to experience Ghost of Tsushima.
