Assassin's Creed Shadows' version of Japan is extremely pretty. From the minutiae of its temples and terraced paddy fields to the sweeping vistas of its forests, seas, and mountains, it's a contender for one of the prettiest open-world games in years. The trouble is, you'll have to do some legwork before you get to enjoy it properly.

Assassin's Creed Shadows, the latest entry in Ubisoft's series, is proving to be a huge hit with fans as the developer celebrates a major milestone.

What's frustrating about Shadows' approach is that it shows Ubisoft clearly understands what makes a good RPG. You can't cosplay as a proper RPG if you don't know what a good RPG looks like. Ubisoft has included all the systems and features that you'd expect, but they're thinner than shoji paper.