Thanks to a renewed focus on the core concepts that the series was originally built upon, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* delivers the most satisfying experience the franchise has offered in years. With a parkour system reminiscent of *Unity*, players can seamlessly transition from the ground to castle rooftops, and the addition of a grappling hook makes reaching the perfect vantage point even quicker. Perched on a tightrope high above enemies, executing the perfect kill is just a drop away—provided you're playing as Naoe, one of the game's protagonists. Switch to Yasuke, the other protagonist, and you're in for a completely different experience.
Yasuke is slow, clumsy, and unable to perform silent kills. His climbing abilities are more akin to a cautious grandparent than a nimble assassin, making him a puzzling yet intriguing choice for Ubisoft. When you play as Yasuke, it feels like you're stepping away from the traditional *Assassin’s Creed* gameplay.
Initially, the stark contrast between Yasuke’s capabilities and the core tenets of *Assassin’s Creed* was frustrating. What's the point of a protagonist who struggles with basic climbing and can't execute silent takedowns? However, the more I played as him, the more I appreciated his unique design. Yasuke's limitations highlight and address some of the issues the series has faced in recent years.
You don't get to play as Yasuke until several hours into the campaign, after spending ample time with Naoe, a swift shinobi who embodies the essence of an assassin better than any protagonist in a decade. The transition to Yasuke is jarring; his size and noise make stealth nearly impossible, and his climbing skills are limited to structures barely above his head. This forces players to explore environments at ground level, which in turn restricts visibility and planning capabilities. Unlike Naoe, who can rely on Eagle Vision, Yasuke has no such advantage, emphasizing raw strength over stealth and reconnaissance.
*Assassin’s Creed* has always been about stealthy kills and vertical exploration—concepts that Yasuke directly challenges. Playing as him feels more like *Ghost of Tsushima* than *Assassin’s Creed*, especially given his lack of stealth training and focus on samurai combat skills. Yasuke encourages players to rethink how to approach the game, as his limited climbing abilities introduce new challenges and pathways that are more deliberate and interesting than the effortless scaling of past protagonists.
While Yasuke can reach his objectives through carefully designed paths, his overall exploration freedom is curtailed. His only stealth move, the "Brutal Assassination," is more of a combat starter than a stealth tactic. However, when combat ensues, *Shadows* offers the best swordplay the series has seen in over a decade, with purposeful strikes and a variety of techniques that make battles thrilling and satisfying.
The dual protagonist system in *Shadows* effectively separates combat and stealth, preventing the over-reliance on direct conflict seen in previous games like *Origins*, *Odyssey*, and *Valhalla*. Naoe's fragility necessitates stealth and strategic retreats, while Yasuke's strength allows for sustained combat. This dynamic creates a balanced gameplay experience that caters to different playstyles.
Despite Yasuke's intentional design, his place within *Assassin’s Creed* remains contentious. The series is fundamentally about stealth and vertical exploration, elements that Yasuke inherently opposes. While characters like Bayek and Eivor ventured into action territory, they still maintained the core assassin abilities. Yasuke, as a samurai, is thematically justified in his limitations, but this means you can't experience *Assassin’s Creed* in its traditional form while playing as him.
Naoe, on the other hand, is the superior choice for many players. Her stealth toolkit, combined with the verticality of Sengoku Period Japan, creates an experience that truly embodies the essence of *Assassin’s Creed*. She benefits from the same combat enhancements as Yasuke but with a more realistic approach to climbing that still allows for the series' signature mobility.
AnswerSee ResultsNaoe's design enhances the core *Assassin’s Creed* experience, raising the question of why one would choose Yasuke over her. Ubisoft's attempt to offer two distinct playstyles is commendable, but Yasuke's divergence from the series' foundational concepts poses a challenge. While his combat prowess is thrilling, it's through Naoe's eyes that the true *Assassin’s Creed* experience shines, allowing players to explore the world of *Shadows* as the series intends.
