Best Locations To Visit ASAP In Assassin’s Creed Shadows

One of the coolest things about video games, compared to movies, is being able to play through certain regions that are hard to get to in real life. This gives developers the ability to play with time too. Getting to experience Japan in the 1500s has been done before but getting the opportunity again with Assassin’s Creed Shadows is still satisfying.

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It’s a slow start, but once Assassin’s Creed Shadows gets going, there is so much to explore. Open-world games can be daunting though, especially with so many locations. So, for tourists, here is a checklist of early places to visit to get some good rewards and setups.

6

Invade Castles

Get Legendary Gear

One of the quickest ways to get Legendary ranked armor in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is by taking down castles, which many major cities and towns have. All players have to do is kill a set number of leaders, called daisho, and then the chest in the castle tower will unlock. For example, the closest town to the player’s hideout is Katano to the West, which also has a castle, Katano Castle.

The Legendary gear there is called Tools Master Gear which has the nice perk of assisting players after assisting an opponent by throwing a Kunai at the nearest foe. It’s a good perk to have before players unlock a way to kill two foes at once in Naoe’s skill tree in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Also west of the hideout is Amagasaki Castle with a hat-based piece of gear called Tools Master Mask. To the south of Amagasaki Castle is the Osaka region with its castle containing another set of body armor: Peasant Clothes. These are just three examples of castles players should visit sooner rather than later.

5

Find A Second Home At Kakuregas

Most Towns Have Them

Players can customize their hideout in Assassin’s Creed Shadows in a lot of fun ways, almost like a watered-down version of Animal Crossing. There are other places players can call their home through called Kakuregas. Kakuregas are scouting locations wherein players can store items, refill supplies, or recall scouts from missions. Players can also take on special side quests called Contracts which amount to basic fetch quests in RPGs.

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They’re basic but Contracts are still worth it to make money fast in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Most towns should have a Kakurega, so before leaving, make sure to explore every street and in passing, the world map will mark the Kakurega for purchase. Players can find Kakuregas in Amagasaki, Katano, Sakai, and Takatsuki just to name a few of the earlier towns.

4

Hunt For Kofuns

Become The Tomb Raider

One of the coolest location types players can find in the game is called Kofuns. At first, they may look like a cave with very basic loot. However, they are usually pretty deep and have secret locations within for some even better gear. Besides gear, completing one will unlock a Knowledge Point and these can increase Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ various skill trees.

There aren’t many to explore in the starting areas of the game but there is Old Kofun which is due east of Sakai. Players will have to squeeze through cracks, swim, swing, and blow stuff up to get through there. Inside players can find Amaterasu’s Blessing, Ardent Katana of Wounding, and Exotic Tanto of Malice just to name some basic gear and weapons for Naoe early on in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Now, there is another one east of Takatsuki called Makino Kurumazuka Kofun, but it requires Yasuke.

3

Finding Kuji-kiri

Unlocking The Past Through Meditation

Kuji-kiri is a type of meditation introduced in the game and completing them will gain players more Knowledge Points. The first one players can find will be outside of their starting area with Naoe called Eboshigata Hachiman Shrine. Players can also find a Kuji-kiri spot at their hideout.

Finally, there’s one close to Kawachi Lost Pagoda which is a Viewpoint. Three locations are named here because that’s all players need to relive Naoe’s past through side quests including Shinobi Warfare, Mind and Body, and then ending with Traditions. Once complete, Kuji-kiri for Naoe after are just good ways to gain Knowledge Points.

2

Look Out For Paths

A Fun Way To Challenge Your Platforming

Like Kofuns, Paths offer players some interesting locations to explore through parkour. They will pop up with orange icons like Kofuns too. Completing them will gain players Knowledge Points along with gear.

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Paths can sometimes be located along routes to Viewpoints. There aren’t many to find in the starting areas but Path of Valor is one example which is near the Koyana Ruins. At the end of this parkour-like trial, players can get Tamakichi’s Hood which is a decent hat-based piece of armor.

1

Shrines And Temples

An Easy Item Hunt For Knowledge

Two final location types worth mentioning are called shrines and temples. Both will unlock more Knowledge Points after completing menial tasks like finding lost pages of a scroll or praying. For example, Nishinomiya Shrine is in Nishinomiya Shrine Town which is west of Amagasaki.

Players will have to find three spots to pray at which can be located via the tag mechanic. Other notable shrines and temples include the Sumiyoshi Shrine in the Osaka region which requires praying. Tennoji Temple is also in the Osaka region but players have to fight bandits here as it’s been taken over. Knowledge is power as they say and touring Japan’s many shrines and temples will be a feast for history buffs.

Released

March 20, 2025

OpenCritic Rating

Strong