*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces players to two captivating protagonists: the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke. As the game's launch approaches, many fans are curious about when and how they can switch between these two characters. Here's a detailed guide on switching between Naoe and Yasuke in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe
While *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* boasts a vast open world, the game's prologue is quite linear. Over the course of about 90 minutes, players will switch between Naoe and Yasuke during set moments. After completing the prologue, however, the game locks you into playing as Naoe for several hours.
For those eager to jump into the Samurai experience, patience is key. Naoe remains the sole playable character until nearly the end of the game's first act. The initial gameplay focuses entirely on Naoe, with Yasuke making his first appearance during the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He becomes playable during the Fire and Lightning Quest, but only briefly. Once you finish this quest and Act I, you'll gain the freedom to switch between the two protagonists at your leisure.
How Long Does it Take to Unlock Protagonist Switching in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
In my playthrough, it took around 10 hours to reach the end of Act I and unlock the ability to freely switch between Naoe and Yasuke. This duration included plenty of side content exploration. If you're aiming to progress through the main storyline more quickly, you could reach this point in approximately 6 to 8 hours.
How to Switch Between Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Once you unlock the ability to switch freely between Naoe and Yasuke, the process is straightforward. You can switch characters by fast traveling to a location on the map. When hovering over a fast travel point, you'll see two prompts: one to fast travel and another to fast travel as the other protagonist. Selecting the latter will have you spawn as Naoe or Yasuke, depending on who you were not currently playing, at your chosen location. This method works for various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.
Additionally, during certain story quests, you'll have the option to choose which protagonist to control, adding an extra layer of engagement to the narrative.
When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered
After Act I, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* offers ample freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke in its open world. However, there are specific story moments and major quests where the protagonist is predetermined. Additionally, each character has unique quests and activities tied to their backstory, which are exclusive to either Naoe or Yasuke. These quests are marked with distinct symbols—a Samurai helmet for Yasuke and a Shinobi’s hood for Naoe—ensuring players can easily identify character-specific content.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* will be available on March 20th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
