*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces a groundbreaking shift in the franchise with its dual protagonists, Yasuke the Samurai and Naoe the Shinobi, each bringing unique strengths and weaknesses to the gameplay. Here's a detailed look at which character you should choose based on your playstyle and the game's demands.
Yasuke the Samurai: Pros and Cons
Yasuke stands out as one of the most intriguing protagonists in *Assassin’s Creed* history, particularly from a gameplay perspective. As a Samurai, his formidable stature and skills make him a powerhouse on the battlefield. The melee combat in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, inspired by From Software's style, feels like controlling a boss from *Dark Souls* when playing as Yasuke.
Yasuke's unique background and physical prowess set him apart in the feudal Japan setting of *Shadows*. He excels in crowd control and delivers powerful melee attacks, making short work of both base enemies and higher-tier foes like the Daimyo patrolling castles. Additionally, Yasuke's ability to use a bow and arrow extends his effectiveness to ranged combat.
However, Yasuke's strengths in open combat come with trade-offs. His assassinations are slower and more exposed, making stealth a challenge. His parkour abilities are limited, with slower climbing and shimmying compared to previous protagonists. Many synchronization points, crucial for map exploration, are either inaccessible or extremely difficult for Yasuke to reach, which can be frustrating when exploring new provinces.
Naoe the Shinobi: Pros and Cons
Naoe, the Iga Shinobi, embodies the traditional Assassin archetype familiar to fans of the *Assassin’s Creed* series. Her expertise in stealth and parkour makes her incredibly nimble and adept at navigating the game world. With her ninja skills and Assassin weapons, Naoe can master stealth by investing in Mastery points.
While Naoe excels at staying hidden, she struggles when detected. Her lower health and less powerful melee abilities make direct combat challenging, especially against multiple enemies. Skilled players might manage to fight their way out, but often, the best strategy is to retreat and re-enter stealth mode to execute hidden blade takedowns and aerial assassinations.
When Should You Play as Each Protagonist in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Choosing between Yasuke and Naoe in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* often depends on personal preference and the specific demands of the game. The story may dictate which character is available for certain quests, particularly in canon mode. However, when you have the freedom to switch, each protagonist shines in different scenarios.
For exploration, Naoe is the better choice. Her superior mobility and speed make her ideal for clearing the fog of war, synchronizing, and discovering new areas in feudal Japan. She's also highly effective for assassination-focused contracts and quests, especially after reaching Knowledge Level 2 and investing in Assassin and Shinobi skills.
Once you've explored a region and identified its toughest targets, Yasuke becomes the go-to character for combat. He's particularly effective in castles where you need to defeat Daimyo Samurai lords to access high-value loot. Yasuke can handle these enemies with brutal assassinations or in open sword fights more easily than Naoe.
In missions requiring extensive open combat, Yasuke is the best choice. Conversely, Naoe excels in traversal, exploration, and stealth-based activities. Outside these specific scenarios, both characters are capable, and your choice may ultimately depend on which personality you connect with more and whether you prefer the classic *Assassin’s Creed* stealth gameplay or the newer RPG elements.
*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S starting March 20th.
