Assassin’s Creed Shadows Update Adds Critical Role Quest & Nightmare Mode in Patch 1.0.6
Patch 1.0.6 for Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings a Critical Role quest, Nightmare difficulty, gameplay tweaks, and key bug fixes across all platforms.
Image Via Ubisoft
Ubisoft has put out Patch 1.0.6 for Assassin’s Creed: Shadows on June 25, 2025. This is releasing across platforms like PS5, PC, Xbox Series ,and macOS. The update file size depends on what device you have. On PS5 it's around 6 GB, but Xbox Series it’s more bigger, like nearly 19 GB.
Critical Role Crossover: A Confusing-yet-Fun Quest
So this is not the first time they team up. Ubisoft and Critical Role did a crossover again, and it’s got a free quest inside the game now, called A Critical Encounter.
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Needed Stuff: You need to complete the Way of the Blacksmith first, and also, Yasuke must be unlocked for playing.
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What It’s About: You control Yasuke and Naoe. There’s this new guy Rufino (voiced by Robbie Daymond, who’s in anime too), and he has issues about certain citizens being targeted by assassins or conspiracies or such.
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Winning Stuff: Once the quest finishes, Rufino joins your party like a buddy. Plus, a new trophy and also a Critical Role–style banner in the hideout come as a bonus.
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Extra Items (Paid): A DLC Weapon Pack gives you cool-looking weapons based on the Critical Role theme. Includes Tanto and Katana for Naoe, and a Kanabo + Teppo for Yasuke. Not free, though.
It’s kinda exciting but a bit strange pacing, mixing real roleplaying stars with the Japan theme story.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Nightmare Difficulty: Why So Hard?
One of the patch’s big things is the new Nightmare Mode. It’s very hard. Like, enemies now not only do big damage, but parrying them has become too tight. You can’t just spam the block anymore.
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Tough Combat: One bad timing in a block, and it won’t save you from hurt.
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AI Smarter Now: Enemies behave more sharply and notice even when you’re hiding or moving slowly.
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Items Less: There are not many rations or Adrenaline or ninja tools lying around, so it’s more of a survival feel.
For players who like to feel the realness or challenge, this mode might be their cup of tea.
Some Small but Useful Fixings
The patch brings a few new options that gamers might like:
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Helmet On/Off in Cutscenes: You choose now if the helmet stays visible in scenes, except for some special story parts.
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Toggle Effects: Visual stuff like loot icons, last-known locations of enemies, etc., can be turned off if they're bothering.
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Alarm Expansion: Hurting innocents or soldiers now spreads the alert to a bigger area, not just the one spot.
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Horse View Choices: You can press and change how the camera works while riding a horse. More cinematic, I guess.
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Low-End PC Mode: If your computer is old and weak, this new mode helps the game not lag too much.
Bug Patches and Clean Up
Some annoying bugs and glitches have been removed. Stuck quests, audio delays, NPCs not acting right—all those are getting some fixes. UI, VFX, and polish have improved too, but probably still more to go.
This patch brings fresh stuff like the Critical Role quest that might please fans who like voice acting and a story-driven experience. Also, the Nightmare mode makes gameplay way more intense and maybe frustrating for some. With many little things added, the update surely makes Assassin’s Creed: Shadows deeper, even if it’s not perfect yet.
