Ubisoft just rolled out a free update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, adding dedicated PS5 Pro optimization. This means that players with Sony’s mid-generation console get better visual quality at no extra cost. Since its launch on March 20, 2025, the game has seen impressive engagement, with players logging 334 million hours and taking down 4 billion enemies.
Support for PS5 Pro usually brings higher-resolution rendering through Sony’s PSSR upscaling technology. Plus, players can expect enhanced ray tracing and better frame rate stability. While Ubisoft hasn’t released a complete technical overview of which modes benefit from this upgrade, similar patches for other open-world games typically boost resolution from dynamic 4K to near-native or full 4K.
This update comes at an interesting time as Ubisoft aims to grow the Assassin’s Creed audience. Xbox recently announced six Assassin’s Creed games available for free for a limited time, and at least five entries in the series have also been temporarily made free-to-play across various platforms. These strategies suggest Ubisoft is leveraging its back catalog to attract new players to Shadows, which is its current flagship title.
Right now, you can grab Shadows for just $0.99 on Steam, a promotional price that greatly undercuts its usual retail value. This move signals a clear intention to boost install numbers. In its first six weeks, the game recorded 26 million cats petted and 4 billion enemies defeated—numbers Ubisoft proudly shared—showing a vibrant player base even before this new promotional push.
The PS5 Pro patch gives console players a specific hardware-related reason to either return or try the game for the first time. With the game already showing solid retention stats, Ubisoft seems committed to a long-term post-launch support plan instead of letting the title fade after initial sales.
| Release Date | March 20, 2025 |
| Total Hours Played | 334 million |
| Enemies Killed (first 6 weeks) | 4 billion |
| Cats Petted (first 6 weeks) | 26 million |
| Current Steam Price | $0.99 |
However, community feedback on Steam leans negative, especially from completionist players unhappy with the game’s DLC structure. One reviewer warned: “Avoid. If you hunt to get 100% completions, prepare to shell out $90 USD in DLC to get the last achievement for that hundo.” The PS5 Pro update doesn’t address these concerns—it’s purely a visual enhancement, not a change in content or pricing.
What To Watch
- Whether Ubisoft releases a technical comparison showing the exact resolution and frame rate improvements on PS5 Pro versus the standard PS5. This could clarify how impactful the patch is.
- Whether the $0.99 Steam price leads to a surge in active players and if it changes the game’s current negative community review trend.
- How Ubisoft handles future DLC releases, considering that the $90 completionist cost is a major complaint affecting reviews and could harm long-term player goodwill.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
