Yasuke or Naoe: Who to Choose in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces a groundbreaking shift in the series with its dual protagonists, Yasuke the Samurai and Naoe the Shinobi. Each brings unique skills and challenges to the table, making your choice of character pivotal to your gameplay experience.

Yasuke the Samurai Pros and Cons

Yasuke overlooks a coastal vista in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft

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 Dark Souls boss when playing as Yasuke.

Yasuke's unique background and physical prowess distinguish him from other warriors in the game’s Feudal Japan setting. He excels in crowd control and boasts powerful melee attacks, effortlessly handling both base enemies and higher-tier foes like patrolling Daimyo. His ability to use a Bow and Arrow adds versatility, making him effective at range as well.

However, Yasuke's strengths in open combat come with trade-offs. His assassinations are slower and more exposed than Naoe’s, making stealth missions challenging. His parkour abilities are limited, with slower climbing and shimmying compared to previous protagonists. While he can theoretically reach synchronization points to reveal more of the map, many of these points are difficult or impossible for Yasuke to access, which can be frustrating during exploration.

Naoe the Shinobi Pros and Cons

Naoe and Yaya team up to fight in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft

Naoe, the Iga Shinobi, embodies the classic Assassin’s Creed archetype with her focus on stealth and agility. She is highly effective at remaining unseen, utilizing her ninja skills and Assassin weapons to become a master of stealth with the right investment in Mastery points.

However, Naoe's effectiveness drops significantly when detected. With lower health and less powerful melee abilities compared to Yasuke, facing even a few enemies can be overwhelming. Her best strategy when detected is often to retreat and re-enter stealth mode, allowing her to execute hidden blade takedowns and aerial assassinations that fans of the series expect.

When Should You Play as Each Protagonist in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Naoe and Yasuke team up in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft

Choosing between Yasuke and Naoe often depends on personal preference and the specific demands of the game's missions. In canon mode, the story will dictate which character is available for certain quests. However, when you have the freedom to switch, each protagonist has clear advantages in different scenarios.

Play as Naoe when exploring new areas. Her superior mobility and speed make her ideal for clearing the fog of war, synchronizing, and discovering the intricacies of feudal Japan. She excels at assassination missions once you reach Knowledge Level 2 and invest in Assassin and Shinobi skills.

Switch to Yasuke when you're ready to engage in combat, particularly in castles where you need to defeat Daimyo Samurai lords to secure valuable loot. His brutal assassinations and prowess in open sword fights make him the better choice for these encounters.

For missions requiring extensive combat, Yasuke is the go-to character. Conversely, Naoe is your best bet for traversal, exploration, and stealth-based objectives. Outside these specific scenarios, both characters are capable, and your choice may ultimately come down to which personality you connect with more, or whether you prefer the traditional Assassin’s Creed stealth gameplay or the more RPG-focused combat.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S starting March 20th.