To be a little more specific, Ubisoft's latest open-world stabbing simulator Assassin's Creed Shadows builds on the recent RPG-ish entries like Valhalla by incorporating mechanics and design philosophies from older entries like Brotherhood and Syndicate.

“Assassin’s Creed” fans have clamored for a chapter set in Japan for years. The concepts mesh well enough. Ubisoft’s assassins lurk in the shadows and try to kill without commotion while ninjas in popular culture have the same MO. It was an ideal combination.