Why the Battle Pass in Assassin’s Creed Shadows Is a Huge Letdown

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The opening of Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been remarkably strong, garnering a 4/5 rating from our review, primarily due to the recurring issues typical of the Assassin’s Creed series and some combat-related problems. Regrettably, its most significant shortcoming doesn’t stem from gameplay but lies in its battle pass system.

Absolutely! The game titled Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which is a single-player game that requires payment, incorporates a battle pass system. Our guide (a little self-promotion here) explains how you can gather Data Fragments by completing certain missions set across Japan.

In-game, I can splurge on some top-tier weapons for Naoe and Yasuke, along with robust armor sets, keys (which feel a bit overpriced, if you ask me), and Encrypted Data Files (not exactly my priority). Frankly, the microtransactions are the most disappointing aspect of this game.

Battle passes have no place in single-player games

In various multiplayer games such as Call of Duty or Fortnite, where players might tire of repeated battles on the same maps, battle passes serve as a means to maintain interest. Additionally, these passes offer an opportunity for free-to-play games to generate some income. Similar to the game Shadows, they are usually optional.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t require a battle pass because it falls outside the categories of free-to-play games or those completed within 100 hours. Being a single-player game, you acquire weapons and armor as you progress, and once finished, it’s unlikely to revisit (unless you’re incredibly dedicated). Since all rewards are attainable within the game itself, there’s minimal need for a battle pass. Furthermore, there’s little justification to incorporate one into a game that functions admirably without it.

Additionally, although it’s not completely a ‘pay-to-win’ scenario, the ultimate prizes and in-game loot are truly extraordinary, surpassing anything else you might find during your journey. Consequently, if you choose to purchase the battle pass, you’ll find it significantly easier to overcome the enemies you encounter.

First off, it’s essential to clarify before any potential frustration arises regarding microtransactions: This optional feature doesn’t require any real-life spending. Instead, you earn these anomalies by successfully completing various quests during gameplay. It’s important to note that you can’t purchase them directly from the store; instead, you must actively engage with the tasks, which are frequently updated for you to accept.

Although this change may lessen the impact somewhat, it seems to create an additional source of annoyance. If there’s no financial gain associated with it, why include it at all? The desire for a battle pass system in the Assassin’s Creed series appears minimal. You’re not addressing an overlooked group or funding future DLC expansions, so I’m curious about its purpose.

Fundamentally, incorporating a battle pass seems superfluous for an exceptional game such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and unfortunately, it detracts from the overall enjoyment by introducing an unnecessary feature typically associated with multiplayer games rather than single-player adventures.

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2025-03-19 19:21