Assassin's Creed Shadows Free Download Available For 48 Hours

4 hours ago 7

A masked figure holding a bloody hand scythe.

Published Jun 21, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Kyle Gratton is an editor and writer based out of Kansas City. He received a bachelor's degree, dual majoring in English and History with a minor in Film and Media Studies, and has been a senior staff writer and reviewer for Screen Rant's Gaming section since 2021, with roles in editorial, and various freelance projects.

A terminal Midwesterner who graduated from the University of Kansas, Kyle also has knowledge and interest in literature, film, film adaptions of literature, and history.

Find Kyle on Bluesky: kwg.bsky.social
and Letterboxd: KyleG5

This is your warning that, in two days, Assassin's Creed Shadows will no longer be playable for free. The long-running series' latest entry is set in feudal Japan, and follows dual protagonists Naoe and Yasuke. Assassin's Creed Shadows is the tent-pole game for a promotion that sees numerous Ubisoft-developed and -published titles available for free for a limited time.

Assassin's Creed Shadows can be downloaded and played for free for roughly 48 more hours with a special Ubisoft+ Premium free trial, which began on June 18, and ends on June 23 at 9:00am Eastern Time (6:00am Pacific). Once the trial expires, access to Assassin's Creed Shadows will be revoked, unless you opt to subscribe to Ubisoft+. The Premium tier of Ubisoft's subscription service includes day-one access to all the publisher's releases, as well as discounts on DLC and other bonuses.

One character wearing full armor on the left while holding a large sword and another character on the right wearing a hood and holding throwing stars in Assassin's Creed Shadows

Ubisoft specifically notes that the following games are also included in the Ubisoft+ Premium trial, though many other games from the publisher are also included (here is the full list).

The Division 2
Rainbow Six Siege
Far Cry 6
Anno 117: Pax Romana
Star Wars Outlaws
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
The Crew Motorfest
For Honor

If you're familiar with other such gaming subscriptions, like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus, Ubisoft+ works the same way – you can download and play any included game as long as your subscription (or free trial) remains active. Assassin's Creed Shadows is the best value proposition in the trial, especially since it includes the Claws of Awaji expansion, but you're unlikely to be able to finish the full game in these last two days – like other recent AC games, Shadows is quite long.

Assassin's Creed Shadows reviewed quite well, mostly garnering criticism for simply not innovating on the series formula that has been in place since Assassin's Creed Origins. A Ubisoft+ Premium free trial is the best time to take Shadows for a test drive, though. If you like it and want to play some other Ubisoft games, continuing the subscription could be an enticing option, but Assassin's Creed Shadows has been listed for 50% off before, and likely will be again at some point. Ubisoft games can regularly be had for good discount prices.

If you've got time these last two days, there's no harm in giving the trial a go – at the very least, you'll get to try some new games. Rainbow Six Siege and For Honor are Ubisoft's two long-running live-service offerings, and The Division 2 is still supported while its successor is in development. Star Wars Outlaws is enjoying a renewed reputation after a muted reception, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora has one of the most notably gorgeous game worlds of recent years. Assassin's Creed Shadows will likely be the biggest draw, though, but you've only got 48 more hours or so to give it a whirl.