Dual Protagonists Yasuke and Naoe Shine in Stunning Feudal Japan Setting
The highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows took centre stage during the recent Ubisoft Forward event, providing gamers with their first in-depth look at the game’s captivating gameplay. Set against the backdrop of feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces players to two playable protagonists – the hulking samurai Yasuke and the agile shinobi Naoe.
Throughout the game, players can freely switch between controlling Yasuke and Naoe, offering a fresh and dynamic take on the Assassin’s Creed formula. While mission-to-mission transitions won’t allow for swapping between the characters, the developers hinted at a late-game sequence that may require assassinating a target as both protagonists.
Yasuke’s combat style aligns with the more RPG-driven Assassin’s Creed entries like Odyssey and Valhalla. As a towering, brutally powerful warrior, Yasuke wields an impressive array of weapons, including polearms and katanas, capable of decapitating enemies or impaling them with bone-crunching force. His sheer strength also allows him to bash through doors and walls to gain access to his targets. In contrast, Naoe’s playstyle channels the stealthy, parkour-focused roots of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, blending traditional mechanics with shinobi agility. Armed with a grappling hook, Naoe can silently scale buildings and pick off guards from the shadows before assassinating her mark. She even uses a reed to submerge herself underwater for a stealthy kill.
Both protagonists’ assassinations are punctuated by stunning, Kurosawa-inspired visual flourishes. As the colour drains from the scene, the only vibrant elements are the vivid crimson blood spatters, eliciting awe-struck reactions from audiences who witnessed these cinematic takedowns.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will also introduce a dynamic, year-long seasonal cycle to its expansive open world map. Each transition between winter, spring, summer, and fall will present new gameplay challenges and opportunities, such as storms masking Naoe’s movements or frozen waterways impeding progress.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on November 15th for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5, promising a rich, diverse experience that leverages the unique strengths of its dual protagonists. With its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay mechanics, and seasonal environmental shifts, this latest Assassin’s Creed instalment is poised to captivate longtime fans and franchise newcomers.
