Assassin's Creed Shadows vs Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Feudal Japan spectacle versus 15th-century Bohemian grit — one is a flashy ninja playground, the other a slow-burn history lesson.

Updated 11d ago

Assassin's Creed Shadows cover
Assassin's Creed Shadows 8.1/10 Strong

The wait-for-the-complete-edition play just expired: Ubisoft shipped its closing patch this month and never cut the $69.99. Overpriced at list, sharp on sale.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II cover
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II 8.9/10 Strong

The quest writing and side characters are why people replay it at 500 hours — it deserves the medieval-RPG crown, if you can live with save limits and slow travel.

By the numbers

Prices checked Aug 7; they move faster than we refresh, so confirm on the store page.

Recent-review figures are Steam's own last-30-days window, read Aug 7.

Measure Assassin's Creed Shadows Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Value Kingdom Come: Deliverance II wins on value
Price now $28.35 −59% · GreenManGaming $23.99 −60% · GOG
All-time low $28.35 $20.99
Cost / hour $0.80/hr $28.35 · 36 h main story $0.44/hr $23.99 · 55 h main story
Off its low At its low low was Jul 2026 +14% low was Jul 2026
Main story 36 h 55 h
Health Kingdom Come: Deliverance II wins on player health
Steam reviews 75% 39k reviews 94% 191k reviews
Recent reviews 63% 1k votes · vs 75% lifetime · souring 89% 3k votes · vs 94% lifetime · souring
Peak players 7,211 Jul 2026 · ↑ 30% MoM 29,234 Jul 2026 · ↑ 22% MoM
Launch peak 11% of Mar 2025 launch peak · as of Jul 2026 11% of Feb 2025 launch peak · as of Jul 2026
All-time peak 64,627 Mar 2025 255,607 Feb 2025
Support
Last patch 12 days ago 6 weeks ago
Patch cadence 2 in last 90 days 1 in last 90 days
Steam Deck Gold Platinum

Shared scale — same months across the bottom, same player-count axis up the side, so the two lines are directly comparable. A shorter line means a younger game.

Assassin's Creed Shadows
Mar 2025 – Jul 2026
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Feb 2025 – Jul 2026

What players say

Patterns from long-haul reviewers, taken from each game's verdict. Not live sentiment — each side is dated below.

Assassin's Creed Shadows

Love

Feudal Japan itself — the seasons, the light and Naoe's stealth kit keep 100-hour players exploring long after the story stops mattering.

Struggle with

A thin story, an open world that repeats itself, and a launcher that locks them out — and the Claws of Awaji expansion made the first two worse.

from our July 2026 verdict

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

Love

The writing and quest design stay unmatched to 500 hours — side characters and missions are what long-haul fans replay for.

Struggle with

Late-game save freedom and travel pacing still grate on 100-hour veterans, though the story keeps them pushing.

from our August 2026 verdict

Key differences

World authenticity
Shadows builds a beautiful Japan with dynamic seasons, but takes liberties for gameplay.
KCD2 obsesses over 15th-century Bohemian realism, from real plants to period armor.
Combat philosophy
Shadows offers flexible stealth and action with two protagonists and ninja tools.
KCD2 demands skill-based fencing and preparation; no level scaling, world doesn't bend.
Story quality
Shadows' narrative is widely considered its weakest element; Ubisoft conceded it didn't land.
KCD2's revenge story for Henry is a strong driver, earning a 9/10 verdict.

Which one is for you?

Pick Assassin's Creed Shadows if

  • You want a stealth-focused open-world in feudal Japan with dynamic seasons.
  • You have 60+ hours for one playthrough and enjoy build variety.
  • You're okay with Ubisoft launcher and Denuvo requirements.

Pick Kingdom Come: Deliverance II if

  • You loved KCD1's realistic swordplay and survival mechanics.
  • You prefer slow, deliberate RPGs with punishing save systems.
  • You value historical accuracy over cinematic spectacle.

Bottom line

Choose Shadows for feudal Japan stealth; choose KCD2 for a deep, realistic medieval RPG that rewards patience and skill.

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