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.

For the first time in a while, Ubisoft has delivered some good news for its workers, investors and anyone who cares about the publisher's continued existence.

Ubisoft is banking on the success of "Assassin's Creed Shadows" to fight its way out of financial troubles as the French videogame publisher grapples with falling revenue, a sinking stock price and takeover speculation.