Assassin’s Creed has defined open-world historical action for over 15 years. If you have worked through the main series — or if you want something with AC’s DNA but a different setting — there are excellent alternatives across every element that makes AC compelling: parkour traversal, open-world historical exploration, stealth mechanics, melee combat, and the satisfaction of uncovering ancient conspiracies. This guide covers the 20 best games like Assassin’s Creed, plus a full section on AC Shadows Switch 2 for anyone coming to the franchise through Nintendo’s latest platform.
Already own AC games and want to know which to play next within the series? See our guide to the best RPG games on PS4 and PS5 — covering every major AC entry alongside the best action RPGs on PlayStation.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Nintendo Switch 2
Before the alternatives list — if you are searching for ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows Switch 2,’ here is the confirmed situation:
| Detail | Information |
| AC Shadows Switch 2 release | December 2, 2025 |
| Price | £54.99 (UK) / $59.99 (US) |
| Claws of Awaji DLC | March 10, 2026 — included with Season Pass |
| Cross-progression | ✅ Yes — via Ubisoft Connect |
| Performance | Optimized for Switch 2 hardware — docked and handheld |
| Content | Full base game — same as PS5/Xbox/PC version |
Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched on Switch 2 on December 2, 2025 — the same day as the Switch 2 itself. It is the full game, not a reduced port, and supports cross-progression via Ubisoft Connect so saves carry between Switch 2 and other platforms. The Claws of Awaji DLC arrived March 10, 2026.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows ‘In Case of Trouble’ — What It Means
The phrase ‘in case of trouble’ in AC Shadows refers to a mission objective or dialogue line during one of Yasuke’s story missions in the game. It relates to a specific ally encounter where Yasuke is asked to be prepared in case a situation escalates. It is not a game mechanic — it is story dialogue. If you are stuck on a mission with this text, the objective is to follow the quest marker and be ready to fight when the encounter turns hostile.
Quick Reference: Best Games Like AC by Category
| If You Love… | Best Alternative |
| Naval combat (Black Flag) | Sea of Thieves, Skull and Bones, Pirates Outlaws |
| Historical open world (Origins/Odyssey) | Ghost of Tsushima, Rise of the Ronin, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 |
| Parkour traversal | Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, Ghostrunner, Prince of Persia: Lost Crown |
| Stealth assassination | Hitman World of Assassination, Dishonored 2, Mark of the Ninja Remastered |
| Ancient mythology setting | God of War, Hades, Troy: A Total War Saga |
| Open world action RPG | The Witcher 3, Horizon Zero Dawn, Dragon’s Dogma 2 |
| Switch 2 specifically | AC Shadows Switch 2, Prince of Persia: Lost Crown, Ghostrunner 2 |
Best Games Like Assassin’s Creed — Full List
1. Ghost of Tsushima (PS4/PS5)
The single most recommended AC alternative. Ghost of Tsushima is an open-world samurai action game set in 13th century feudal Japan — strikingly similar to AC Shadows in setting and tone, and in many ways the game that convinced Ubisoft that a feudal Japan AC could work. The combat is visceral and skills-based, the stealth is deep, and the open world is extraordinarily beautiful. Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut adds the Iki Island expansion and PS5 enhancements. If you finished AC Shadows and want more feudal Japan, this is the immediate recommendation.
- Platform: PS4/PS5 (PC via PS5 port) | Genre: Open world action | Best for: AC Shadows fans
2. Rise of the Ronin (PS5)
Rise of the Ronin is a Team Ninja open-world action game set in 19th century Japan during the Bakumatsu period — the final years of the samurai era. The combat system is deeper and more demanding than AC’s, with a parry-heavy blade clash system that rewards mastery. The open world and historical setting are a natural progression from AC Shadows for players who want a more challenging combat experience in the same broad era. PS5 exclusive.
- Platform: PS5 exclusive | Genre: Open world action RPG | Best for: Players who want harder AC-style combat
3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (PS5/Xbox/PC)
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is the most realistic historical RPG available — set in 15th century Bohemia with an emphasis on authentic medieval life, politics, and combat. If AC’s historical authenticity appeals to you more than its supernatural elements, Kingdom Come 2 delivers that in extraordinary depth. Stealth, archery, melee combat, and a branching narrative that responds meaningfully to your choices. Much slower paced than AC — this is a simulation-adjacent RPG, not an action game.
- Platform: PS5/Xbox Series X/PC | Genre: Historical RPG | Best for: Players who want AC’s historical depth without the fantasy elements
4. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (PS5/Xbox/PC/Switch)
The gold standard for open-world RPGs and a natural progression for players who loved AC Odyssey’s scale and story depth. The Witcher 3’s writing, world-building, and side quest quality set benchmarks the genre still uses. Geralt’s combat is not as fluid as AC’s, but the storytelling and world density are exceptional. The Next-Gen Edition runs at 60fps on PS5 and Xbox Series X with ray tracing support.
- Platform: All platforms including Switch | Genre: Open world RPG | Best for: AC Odyssey and Valhalla fans
5. Hitman: World of Assassination (PS5/Xbox/PC)
If AC’s assassination mechanics are what you love — finding creative ways to eliminate targets in complex environments — Hitman: World of Assassination is the definitive stealth assassination game. The sandbox mission structure, the disguise system, and the environmental storytelling are unmatched in the genre. The World of Assassination bundle includes all three Hitman 2016-era games with constant live content updates.
- Platform: PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC | Genre: Stealth | Best for: Players focused on AC’s assassination gameplay
6. Dishonored 2 (PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC)
Dishonored 2 combines supernatural powers with stealth-assassination gameplay in a way that feels distinctly AC-adjacent. Play as either Corvo or Emily through the city of Karnaca using blink teleportation, possession, and time manipulation alongside conventional stealth. The open-ended level design rewards replaying missions to find new approaches. One of the best stealth games of the last decade.
- Platform: PS4/Xbox One/PC | Genre: Stealth action | Best for: Players who want AC stealth with supernatural abilities
7. Sea of Thieves (Xbox/PC)
Sea of Thieves is the closest thing to an AC Black Flag experience available on modern hardware — a pirate open-world game with naval combat, island exploration, and multiplayer crew mechanics. The tone is lighter than Black Flag (cartoonish rather than cinematic), but the actual piracy fantasy — sailing, fighting ships, diving for treasure — is genuinely well-executed. Free on Xbox Game Pass.
- Platform: Xbox/PC (Game Pass) | Genre: Open world pirate | Best for: AC Black Flag fans
8. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PS5/Xbox/PC/Switch)
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a 2D Metroidvania that channels the original Prince of Persia’s acrobatic platforming into a beautifully crafted modern game. The time-manipulation mechanics, fluid movement, and satisfying combat make it one of the best games of 2024 and the best Prince of Persia entry since The Forgotten Sands. Available on Switch and Switch 2 — a genuinely great handheld AC-adjacent experience.
- Platform: All platforms including Switch 2 | Genre: Metroidvania | Best for: Players who love AC’s parkour
9. Horizon Zero Dawn / Forbidden West (PS5/PC)
Horizon combines an extraordinary open world, a compelling mystery-driven narrative, and deep systems in a way that echoes AC’s best qualities. The bow-focused ranged combat and the stealth-hunting mechanics against robotic creatures are unique, and the world-building is exceptional. Forbidden West on PS5 is one of the best-looking games available on any platform.
- Platform: PS4/PS5/PC | Genre: Open world action RPG | Best for: AC Odyssey fans who want a different setting
10. Mirror’s Edge Catalyst (PS4/Xbox One/PC)
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst is the definitive parkour game — the movement system, the flow state of chaining runs across rooftops, and the first-person traversal are unlike anything else. If AC’s freerunning traversal is the primary appeal, Catalyst delivers that feeling in a purer, more focused form. The open-world structure added to the reboot makes it more AC-like than the original linear Mirror’s Edge.
- Platform: PS4/Xbox One/PC | Genre: Parkour action | Best for: Players primarily drawn to AC’s traversal
11. Ghostrunner 2 (PS5/Xbox/PC/Switch 2)
Ghostrunner 2 is a first-person cyberpunk slasher with wall-running, grapple hook, and one-hit-kill sword combat. The movement system is fast, demanding, and enormously satisfying to master. Available on Switch 2. If you want the kinetic energy of AC’s best traversal sequences distilled into pure challenge, Ghostrunner 2 delivers it at a higher intensity than almost anything else.
- Platform: PS5/Xbox/PC/Switch 2 | Genre: Action platformer | Best for: Players who want AC traversal at maximum intensity
12. Dragon’s Dogma 2 (PS5/Xbox/PC)
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is Capcom’s action RPG with a distinctive approach to combat — climbing and attacking large monsters directly, using party-based tactics, and exploring a rich fantasy open world. Less historical than AC but shares the melee combat depth and open-world exploration loop that defines the franchise. The Pawn system (AI companions that other players can hire) is one of the most original mechanics in recent RPGs.
- Platform: PS5/Xbox Series X/PC | Genre: Action RPG | Best for: AC fans wanting more RPG depth
13. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC)
Sekiro is set in late Sengoku-era Japan — the same historical period as AC Shadows — and features one of the most demanding and rewarding sword combat systems in any game. The posture system, where you break an enemy’s guard through aggressive deflection rather than attrition, is brilliantly designed. Harder than any AC game by a significant margin. For AC fans who found Shadows’ combat satisfying but too easy, Sekiro is the natural next step.
- Platform: PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC | Genre: Action (Soulslike) | Best for: AC Shadows fans wanting harder combat in the same era
14. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate — The Best AC You May Have Skipped
AC Syndicate (2015) is set in Victorian London and remains one of the most underrated entries in the franchise. The grappling hook traversal, the gang warfare system, and the twin protagonist dynamic (Jacob and Evie Frye) give it a distinct personality. It was overshadowed by Unity’s troubled launch and tends to get skipped in franchise playthroughs — but for players working through AC games, Syndicate is well worth the time.
- Platform: PS4/PS5 (backward compat)/Xbox/PC | Genre: AC mainline | Metacritic: 76
15. Sleeping Dogs (PS3/PS4/PC)
Sleeping Dogs is an open-world crime game set in contemporary Hong Kong with hand-to-hand combat, undercover police narrative, and excellent parkour movement. The combat system — based around counters, environmental attacks, and combos — feels more fluid than AC’s equivalent-era melee. The Definitive Edition is the recommended version. One of the most underplayed open-world games of its generation.
- Platform: PS3/PS4/PC | Genre: Open world action | Best for: AC fans who want modern-day setting
16. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC)
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is the most stealth-focused entry in the Crystal Dynamics Tomb Raider trilogy — jungle environments, mud camouflage stealth, and a focus on avoiding detection that feels closer to AC’s stealth gameplay than the action-forward earlier entries. The historical puzzles and ancient civilization narrative also echo AC’s core appeal.
- Platform: PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC | Genre: Action adventure | Best for: AC fans who like tomb exploration and stealth
17. Batman: Arkham Knight (PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC)
The Arkham games invented the free-flow combat system that directly inspired AC’s combat. Arkham Knight is the series’ peak — an open-world Gotham, the most refined version of the counter-heavy combat, and excellent stealth predator sequences. If you have never played the Arkham trilogy, start with Arkham City; end with Arkham Knight.
- Platform: PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC | Genre: Action adventure | Best for: AC fans who want the combat origins
18. Death Stranding 2 (PS5)
Less obvious but genuinely worth considering for players drawn to AC’s world-building and narrative ambition. Death Stranding 2 is a traversal game at heart — crossing extraordinary landscapes, building infrastructure, and uncovering a layered conspiracy narrative. The traversal is mechanical and deliberate rather than fluid, but the sense of moving through a living world with history and secrets shares DNA with AC’s best exploration.
- Platform: PS5 | Genre: Action adventure | Best for: AC fans primarily drawn to world and narrative
19. Sucker Punch’s inFamous Series (PS3/PS4)
inFamous Second Son on PS4 uses open-world traversal, power progression, and a morality system in a contemporary setting. The movement system — particularly neon dash traversal — captures some of the AC freerunning joy in a superhero context. inFamous First Light is a shorter, focused companion piece.
- Platform: PS3/PS4 | Genre: Open world action | Best for: AC fans who want traversal with powers
20. Prey (2017 — Arkane Studios)
Prey is an immersive sim set on a space station — less visually similar to AC but sharing the same DNA as Dishonored in terms of open-ended mission design, environmental storytelling, and the freedom to approach objectives multiple ways. If you loved AC Syndicate’s level design or AC Black Flag’s optional approach to missions, Prey delivers that same design philosophy at the highest level.
- Platform: PS4/Xbox One/PC | Genre: Immersive sim | Best for: Players who value level design and player agency
For a full guide to AC Shadows on Switch 2 including Claws of Awaji DLC details and cross-progression setup, see our dedicated guide to the best Assassin’s Creed games and where to start in 2026 — covering every platform and which AC to play first.
For AC Shadows Switch 2 pricing and availability, see the Ubisoft official AC Shadows page. For Ghost of Tsushima on PS5, see the PlayStation Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut page.
Bottom Line
| Best overall AC alternative | Ghost of Tsushima — same historical tone, PS5 exclusive |
| Best on Switch 2 | AC Shadows (confirmed Dec 2025) or Prince of Persia: Lost Crown |
| Best for Black Flag fans | Sea of Thieves (pirate open world, Game Pass) |
| Best for stealth fans | Hitman: World of Assassination or Dishonored 2 |
| Best for parkour fans | Mirror’s Edge Catalyst or Ghostrunner 2 |
| Best historical RPG | Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (PC/PS5/Xbox) |
| AC Syndicate worth playing? | Yes — Victorian London, grappling hook, underrated |
| AC Shadows Switch 2 | £54.99, launched Dec 2, 2025, full game, cross-progression |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best games like Assassin’s Creed?
The best games like Assassin’s Creed are Ghost of Tsushima (best overall alternative — feudal Japan, open world), Hitman: World of Assassination (best stealth assassination), Rise of the Ronin (best combat depth), The Witcher 3 (best open world RPG), and Sea of Thieves (best Black Flag alternative). For Switch 2, AC Shadows itself launched on December 2, 2025 — the most direct option.
Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Switch 2?
Yes — Assassin’s Creed Shadows launched on Switch 2 on December 2, 2025, the same day as the Switch 2 itself, priced at £54.99 in the UK. It is the full game — not a reduced port — and supports cross-progression via Ubisoft Connect. The Claws of Awaji DLC launched March 10, 2026.
What does ‘in case of trouble’ mean in AC Shadows?
‘In case of trouble’ is story dialogue in Assassin’s Creed Shadows — it appears during one of Yasuke’s missions where he is asked to stand by and be ready if a situation escalates. When you see this objective, follow the quest marker and be prepared to engage in combat when the scene turns hostile. It is not a stealth objective — the mission will transition to open combat.
Is AC Syndicate worth playing?
Yes — AC Syndicate is one of the most underrated games in the franchise. Set in Victorian London with Jacob and Evie Frye as dual protagonists, it features a grappling hook traversal system, gang warfare mechanics, and well-written characters. It tends to get skipped because it released between Unity’s troubled launch and Origins’ genre reinvention, but it is a very solid AC game worth playing.
What is the best Assassin’s Creed game on PS5?
AC Shadows (2024) is the best current-gen native AC experience on PS5 — dual protagonist system in feudal Japan, excellent visuals, full PS5 features. For the best AC game available on PS5 overall, many players consider AC Odyssey (PS4 via backward compat, now very cheap) the best value. Ghost of Tsushima on PS5 is the best AC-adjacent game if you want something outside the main series.
