Assassin's Creed Shadows' lead developer assures players that choosing a single protagonist won't significantly impact their experience. The game offers two playable characters: Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai—a choice that has generated pre-release discussion.
Concerns arose that focusing on one character might lead to missed story elements or gameplay. Creative director Jonathan Dumont addressed these concerns, describing his own balanced approach: He alternates between Naoe and Yasuke, spending roughly 3-5 hours with one before switching to the other.
However, Dumont emphasizes that players won't be significantly disadvantaged by favoring a single character. While each protagonist features unique opening sequences and personal storylines, the core narrative adapts to the player's chosen path. He encourages players to follow their preferences: the game's design ensures a complete experience regardless of character focus. Each character has their own distinct introduction and personal missions, but the overall gameplay and story remain largely accessible.