Should You Play as Yasuke or Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces a groundbreaking dual protagonist system, a first for the franchise. Yasuke, the Samurai, and Naoe, the Shinobi, offer drastically different playstyles, strengths, and weaknesses. Choosing the right character depends heavily on your approach to the game.

Yasuke the Samurai: Pros and Cons

Gameplay-wise, Yasuke is a unique and compelling addition to the Assassin's Creed roster. His imposing presence and Samurai skills make him a formidable force in combat, reminiscent of a Dark Souls boss. This powerful warrior excels at crowd control, unleashing devastating melee attacks that quickly dispatch base enemies and even higher-tier foes like patrolling Daimyo. He's also surprisingly effective at range, thanks to his proficiency with the bow and arrow.

However, Yasuke's strengths in open combat are offset by his weaknesses in stealth and traversal. His assassinations are slower and leave him vulnerable, and his parkour abilities are significantly limited compared to previous Assassin's Creed protagonists. While he can technically reach synchronization points, many prove challenging or impossible for him to access, hindering exploration.

Naoe the Shinobi: Pros and Cons

Naoe, the Iga Shinobi, embodies the classic Assassin's Creed stealth archetype. Her agility and mastery of parkour allow for seamless traversal, while her ninja skills and assassin tools make her a master of stealth, particularly after investing Mastery points in relevant skills.

Despite her stealth prowess, Naoe is significantly less durable than Yasuke, possessing lower health and weaker melee capabilities. Direct confrontations with multiple enemies can quickly overwhelm her, making stealth and evasion paramount. When discovered, disengaging and employing stealth tactics is often the most effective strategy.

Choosing Your Protagonist in Assassin's Creed Shadows

The choice between Yasuke and Naoe often boils down to personal preference, though story progression may dictate which character is available for specific quests, especially in canon mode. However, certain situations clearly favor one character over the other.

Naoe’s superior mobility makes her ideal for exploration, uncovering the map, and synchronizing viewpoints. Her stealth skills shine in assassination contracts and quests. Once a region is explored and high-value targets are identified, Yasuke’s combat prowess becomes invaluable for tackling heavily guarded castles and powerful enemies like Daimyo. He excels in open combat scenarios and brutal assassinations.

Ultimately, the best protagonist depends on your playstyle. Do you prefer the classic Assassin's Creed stealth approach, or the more direct combat of recent RPG titles? The choice is yours.

Assassin's Creed Shadows is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on March 20th.