The dual protagonists in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* mark a significant shift in the franchise's history, introducing Yasuke the Samurai and Naoe the Shinobi, each with their unique strengths and weaknesses. Here's a detailed look at when you should play as each character.
Yasuke the Samurai Pros and Cons
Yasuke brings a fresh perspective to *Assassin’s Creed* gameplay, standing out with his Samurai skills and formidable presence. As a large and powerful warrior, Yasuke's combat style is reminiscent of controlling a boss in *Dark Souls*, thanks to *Assassin’s Creed Shadows'* From Software-inspired melee system. His unique background and physical prowess distinguish him from other warriors in the game's Feudal Japan setting.
Yasuke excels in crowd control and delivers powerful melee attacks, making him effective against both base and higher-tier enemies, such as the Daimyo in castles. He can also wield a bow and arrow, adding versatility to his combat approach.
However, Yasuke's strengths in open combat come with trade-offs. His assassinations are slower and more exposing than Naoe's, leaving him vulnerable to detection. His parkour abilities are limited, and his climbing speed is slower compared to previous protagonists. This can make reaching synchronization points challenging, often leading to frustration during exploration.
Naoe the Shinobi Pros and Cons
Naoe, the Igan Shinobi, embodies the traditional Assassin archetype familiar to fans of the series. She excels in stealth and parkour, making her incredibly agile and adept at navigating the game world. With her ninja skills and Assassin weapons, Naoe can master stealth by investing Mastery points effectively.
While Naoe is unmatched in staying unseen, her combat capabilities suffer when detected. With lower health and less powerful melee abilities, facing multiple enemies can be overwhelming. The best strategy often involves retreating to regain stealth and executing 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, though the story may dictate character availability in certain quests, particularly in canon mode. Here are specific scenarios where each protagonist shines:
Play as Naoe for exploration. Her superior mobility and speed make her ideal for clearing the fog of war, synchronizing, and uncovering new areas in Feudal Japan. She's also highly effective for assassination missions, especially once you reach Knowledge Level 2 and invest in Assassin and Shinobi skills.
Switch to Yasuke when you're ready for combat. After mapping out a region and identifying key targets, Yasuke's brute strength and combat prowess are perfect for tackling tough enemies like the Daimyo in castles. He's the go-to character for missions involving open combat.
Ultimately, the choice between Naoe and Yasuke for most of your playthrough may hinge on which character's 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.
