Assassin's Creed Shadows is the 14th mainline game in the series, and undoubtedly, it has evolved into a giant in the gaming industry. Each new game takes place in a vast open world, taking players through different historical settings and introducing them to figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Cleopatra, and Alkibiades. The games are filled with action, stealth, exploration, and impressive storytelling that keeps players hooked and coming back for the next installment.

Now, the latest entry in the series is already making waves with its setting, story, and characters. Given the franchise's track record, and how long Shadows' feudal Japan setting has been requested by fans, it's no surprise the excitement this game has created. While its early numbers are impressive, it remains to be seen if the game will become the biggest Assassin's Creed game yet.

AC Shadows Has Beaten Valhalla's Player Count On Steam

Assassin's Creed Shadows Has Reached Impressive Numbers So Far

Assassin's Creed Shadows is off to an incredible start. Already on its launch day, March 20, it has sured Assassin's Creed Valhalla's total player count. Shadows has reached 41,210 players, according to Steam Charts​​​​​​, which is a huge leap compared to Valhalla's all-time peak of 15,431 (also via Steam Charts). This impressive milestone proves how much excitement has been built around the latest AC game.

While Assassin's Creed has always been a popular and well-received franchise, this big jump in players shows how much the franchise and fanbase have grown. Valhalla was a huge hit with millions of players, but its Steam numbers never got as high as Shadows already has.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla was released in 2020, set primarily in ninth-century England, with sections in Norway.

Several reasons could be behind the success of Shadows​​​​​​. The setting in feudal Japan is something that has sparked the interest of many, plus Shadows' gameplay advancements likely let excitement build up over time. Another contributing factor could be that it does not require the Ubisoft Connect launcher when played through Steam, letting many players stay solely on their preferred platform. With AC Shadows already breaking records and its Claws of Awaji DLC already anticipated, the game will likely continue to grow.

AC Shadows Could Beat Odyssey & Origins Too

Shadows Is On The Path To Beating Other AC Titles

With Assassin's Creed: Shadows already ing Valhalla on Steam, the next question is how it will compare to other major games in the series. Assassin's Creed Origins reached 41,541 players and Odyssey 61,984 players at their peak (see Origins Steam Charts data here, and Odyssey's here). If Shadows keeps up its momentum, it could challenge or potentially beat these numbers.

The launch of Shadows has already shown a huge increase in interest compared to Valhalla, and the excitement doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Many players are jumping in to enjoy the new setting, Shadows' two protagonists, and gameplay, and word-of-mouth could bring even more players in the next few weeks.

Another thing to think about is how long Shadows can keep players interested. Both Origins and Odyssey had strong updates and expansions that kept their communities active for years. If Shadows does the same, it could keep attracting new players and even become more popular than the earlier entries.

Will AC Shadows Be The Most Popular Assassin's Creed Game Ever?

AC Shadows Is Well-Received So Far

It's hard to say for certain whether AC Shadows will be the most popular Assassin's Creed game ever, but with the game off to such a strong start, it could be. The early numbers are impressive, and it has already beaten Valhalla's peak player count. While it still has a way to go to Odyssey and Origins, it's growing fast and could sur them soon enough.

One big reason for Shadows’ success is its setting; feudal Japan is a time and place fans have wanted for years. The mix of ninjas, samurai, and historical intrigue fits perfectly with Assassin’s Creed’s stealth and action gameplay. Ubisoft has finally delivered on this long-requested setting, and players are eager to explore it.

Another reason for Shadows’ popularity is its solid reception. It has a not the highest-rated game in the series, it has been well-received so far. With updates and new content, it has the potential to improve and grow even more. Games like Odyssey and Origins stayed popular for years because of their big worlds and regular updates. If Shadows does the same, it will keep players interested and bring in new.

Shadows' 81 aggregate is for the most commonly reviewed platform, PlayStation 5; its Xbox Series X/S and PC scores are 85 and 78, respectively.

It’s still early, but Assassin's Creed Shadows has the potential to become one of the series' biggest games ever. If its player count keeps growing, it could set new records and cement its place as one of the franchise’s most successful entries.

Sources: Steam Charts (1, 2, 3, 4), Metacritic