Recent games in the Assassin's Creed series have been noted for their rather lengthy playthroughs, encompassing not only the main storyline but also additional activities offered by the developers.

This often sparks debates: is it an artificial extension of gameplay and runtime, or is it beneficial as it allows players to enjoy more content and activities?

Some players, on the other hand, prefer shorter games to avoid a sense of artificial lengthening. Thus, a question arises about the new game in the series: how long will it take to complete Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Let's find out.

How long does it take to complete Assassin's Creed Shadows main story

If you enjoy focusing solely on the main storyline and only turn to side missions as needed (to reach the required level), completing Assassin’s Creed Shadows will take approximately 30 to 40 hours.

The game's structure doesn't allow you to simply "rush" through the story, as some chapters unlock only after reaching a certain level. So even if you aim to stick to the main storyline, you'll still need to gain experience, upgrade characters, and gather resources by exploring the world, clearing various locations, and completing side quests.

Due to this, the time required to complete AC: Shadows will vary within the specified range, depending on game intensity, the number of attempts at certain game moments, number of deaths, etc. In theory, the game can be completed in 30 hours, but for most players, this figure will be closer to 40.

How long to beat Assassin's Creed Shadows side quests and additional content 

In fact, the new installment, Assassin's Creed Shadow, is somewhat shorter than most previous games in the franchise, so even completing side quests and various activities will take you less time than before.

However, the game still offers plenty of side missions, items, and places to explore, allowing you to earn valuable rewards in exchange for your time. The task menu is divided into 22 boards, each focused on specific characters, tasks, or enemies.

Among the optional activities are contracts—short missions that provide resources and experience. There are also deeper exploration elements: lost pages in ancient temples, castle sieges guarded by elite samurai, and hidden paths and kuji-kiri shrines, which unlock knowledge points for new skills.

If you regularly complete these tasks during your playthrough and aim to unlock all achievements, the total game time can easily double. Most players who combine the storyline with side content will spend between 70 to 75 hours or more in the game.

How long does it take to complete Assassin's Creed Shadows 100%

If you're a perfectionist and want to beat Assassin's Creed Shadows fully, clearing absolutely everything the game offers, it will take you up to 65–90 hours. Completing the game 100% includes:

• Synchronizing all map points
  
  
• Capturing all forts, castles, and enemy camps
  
  
• Collecting all collectible items and objects
  
  
• Unlocking all skills and fully upgrading characters
  
  
• Completing all side missions and tasks from the boards
  
  
• Upgrading and customizing the hideout

This is confirmed by both the words of director Jonathan Dumont and real metrics from some players.

For instance, one player with early access to the game completed Assassin's Creed Shadows in 65 hours of gameplay time at 100%, earning all achievements. According to personal Xbox statistics, this took him 3 days, 10 hours, and 56 minutes of real time.

Interestingly, to earn all achievements or trophies, it's not necessary to complete absolutely everything. Assassin’s Creed Shadows is quite generous in this regard—a platinum trophy can be unlocked without fully completing minor tasks.

Thus, the time to complete Assassin's Creed Shadows is as follows:

• Main storyline: 30-40 hours
  
  
• Main storyline and side content: 50-70 hours
  
  
• 100% completion: 80-90+ hours

Comparison of completion time for Assassin's Creed Shadows with other games in the franchise

Can you play Assassin's Creed Shadows after finishing the game?

After completing the main storyline, additional tasks for the heroes Naoy and Yasuke, as well as an epilogue, become available. After the final credits, the world remains open for exploration: you can return to unfinished contracts, side missions, item collection, and upgrading njoj.

Ubisoft has confirmed that a paid expansion, Claws of Awaji, will be released post-launch, adding over 10 hours of content. The possibility of adding a New Game Plus mode is also being considered, although it hasn't been confirmed at launch. If you enjoy the game world, there's a chance you'll return to it more than once.

What affects Assassin's Creed Shadows playthrough duration

Your personal play style significantly impacts the duration of the playthrough. Players who choose stealth, especially on higher difficulty, will spend more time on tasks, for example, infiltrating a castle might take around an hour. Meanwhile, Yasuke, who charges head-on, might manage in 20 minutes.

You can also adjust game settings: combat difficulty, stealth sensitivity, enable exploration direction, etc. Such settings noticeably shorten the playthrough time, especially if you're more interested in the storyline than in fully exploring every corner of the map.