News
August 19, 2025
Games Inbox: Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows worth playing?
The Tuesday letters page worries that nobody ever buys video games that aren’t sequels, as one reader suggests Gears Of War should be rebooted.
## Assassin's Creed Shadows: Worth the Leap of Faith? Plus, Sequel Fatigue and a Gears of War Reboot Plea
The question on many gamers' minds this week: Is Assassin's Creed Shadows, the upcoming installment in Ubisoft's historical action franchise, worth the investment? The Tuesday letters page, a popular forum for gamer opinions, tackled this very issue, alongside a broader discussion about the industry's reliance on sequels and the potential for reviving older franchises.
While the letters page didn't offer a definitive "yes" or "no" on Shadows, the mere question highlights the cautious optimism surrounding the game. After numerous entries, some fans are understandably hesitant to jump headfirst into another Assassin's Creed adventure. The franchise, known for its sprawling open worlds and intricate storylines, has also faced criticism for becoming formulaic. Whether Shadows can break free from those criticisms and deliver a fresh, engaging experience remains to be seen.
Beyond the specific case of Assassin's Creed Shadows, the letters page sparked a wider conversation about the dominance of sequels in the gaming market. One reader expressed concern that original, non-sequel titles struggle to gain traction, suggesting that gamers are more likely to stick with familiar franchises than to take a risk on something new. This "sequel fatigue" can stifle creativity and innovation, leading to a perceived lack of originality in the industry.
The discussion then pivoted towards potential reboots of beloved, but perhaps dormant, franchises. One reader passionately argued for a reboot of Gears Of War, the gritty, cover-based shooter series known for its chainsaw-bayonets and Locust horde. The reader believes a reboot could revitalize the franchise, bringing it to a new generation of gamers while respecting the core elements that made the original games so popular.
The letters page illustrates a common sentiment within the gaming community: a desire for both the comfort of familiar franchises and the excitement of fresh, innovative experiences. Whether Assassin's Creed Shadows can successfully navigate this tension, and whether a Gears Of War reboot is even on the horizon, remains to be seen. For now, gamers are left to debate the merits of sequels, reboots, and the ever-present question: what's worth playing next?
The question on many gamers' minds this week: Is Assassin's Creed Shadows, the upcoming installment in Ubisoft's historical action franchise, worth the investment? The Tuesday letters page, a popular forum for gamer opinions, tackled this very issue, alongside a broader discussion about the industry's reliance on sequels and the potential for reviving older franchises.
While the letters page didn't offer a definitive "yes" or "no" on Shadows, the mere question highlights the cautious optimism surrounding the game. After numerous entries, some fans are understandably hesitant to jump headfirst into another Assassin's Creed adventure. The franchise, known for its sprawling open worlds and intricate storylines, has also faced criticism for becoming formulaic. Whether Shadows can break free from those criticisms and deliver a fresh, engaging experience remains to be seen.
Beyond the specific case of Assassin's Creed Shadows, the letters page sparked a wider conversation about the dominance of sequels in the gaming market. One reader expressed concern that original, non-sequel titles struggle to gain traction, suggesting that gamers are more likely to stick with familiar franchises than to take a risk on something new. This "sequel fatigue" can stifle creativity and innovation, leading to a perceived lack of originality in the industry.
The discussion then pivoted towards potential reboots of beloved, but perhaps dormant, franchises. One reader passionately argued for a reboot of Gears Of War, the gritty, cover-based shooter series known for its chainsaw-bayonets and Locust horde. The reader believes a reboot could revitalize the franchise, bringing it to a new generation of gamers while respecting the core elements that made the original games so popular.
The letters page illustrates a common sentiment within the gaming community: a desire for both the comfort of familiar franchises and the excitement of fresh, innovative experiences. Whether Assassin's Creed Shadows can successfully navigate this tension, and whether a Gears Of War reboot is even on the horizon, remains to be seen. For now, gamers are left to debate the merits of sequels, reboots, and the ever-present question: what's worth playing next?
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Entertainment