Critical Role's Robbie Daymond will join the cast of Assassin's Creed Shadows next week, as a new character you can recruit as an ally for Yasuke and Naoe.
Daymond will play Rufino, a character he originally created for an Assassin's Creed Shadows promotional one-shot. A quick glimpse at the character shows Rufino wearing a Portuguese-style doublet and sporting a lavish moustache.
Rufino will arrive as a recruitable ally in Shadows' next game update, due next Wednesday, June 25. This will be the latest free drop of additional story content made available post-launch, following an earlier mission that served as a crossover with Dead by Daylight.
So far, Shadows' extra story add-ons have been brief, with little more than 20 minutes gameplay each time. But as a recruitable ally — one of only half a dozen in the game — there's scope here for Rufino to make more of an impact.
Still, it's unclear exactly how large Rufino's role will be. Will you be able to call upon him in battle, as your other allies can be? Will you be able to romance Rufino, even — something other allies are open to exploring. Or will Rufino simply just be another face that hangs around your hideout? Next week, we'll find out.
Okay so imagine: feudal Japan, hidden blades… and Critical Role? Robbie’s in. Luc’s in. You should probably be in too.#ACShadows #CriticalRole #ACxCR pic.twitter.com/guT6cagwE7
— Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) June 19, 2025
Ubisoft previously stated that its June content update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows would also include new difficulty settings, gameplay immersion options, and an open-world alarm system to keep players on their toes. A much requested option to keep headgear on or off during cutscenes will also be added.
Further down the line, Ubisoft is working on a New Game Plus option and additionally story drops, including more crossovers. And before 2025 is out, Shadows will receive its first major expansion — Claws of Awaji — that is set to pick up from the game's ending and add a new region of Japan to explore.
Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
