Assassin’s Creed Shadowsis not the first game in theAssassin’s Creedseries to feature two protagonists, but it is unique in that its playable characters are distinct individuals with no prior connections. Naoe, a shinobi from Iga, and Yasuke, a samurai in the service of Oda Nobunaga, meet and team up for the first time during the events of the game. Players ofAssassin’s Creed Shadowscan choose at practically any time which character they want to control, minus a few dedicated missions. Both have very different stories and gameplay styles informed by their background, experience, weapon proficiencies and more.
Game Rant spoke toAssassin’s Creed Shadowsassociate narrative director Brooke Davies and associate game director Simon Lemay-Comtois about the process of creating Yasuke and Naoe. Mechanically, the pair are quite different, with Naoe focused on stealth and carrying out traditional assassinations, while Yasuke is “a mountain” who stands tall and lets enemies come to him. However, their stories connect as they work together and become “more than the sum of their parts,” in Davies' words. Ultimately, both gameplay and narrative come together to portray two characters who are extremely distinct but share a valuable connection.
Yasuke And Naoe Have Completely Different Play Styles
Lemay-Comtois explained thatAssassin’s Creed Shadows' Yasukeand Naoe’s samurai vs. shinobi training make them extremely different to control in combat. Naoe is constantly on the back foot, avoiding attacks and striking at lightly armored areas whenever possible. Yasuke, who Lemay-Comtois revealed is “bigger thanAssassin’s Creed’susual protagonists,” fights his foes head-on, utilizing his larger variety of weapons to chip away at their armor and parry frontal attacks.
Naoe is the more traditional “assassin” of the pair, with a gameplay style reminiscent of previousgames likeAssassin’s Creed Mirage. Lemay-Comtois described some of her available assassination techniques as such:
“Each weapon that Naoe has unlocks a specific type of assassination that is unique to that weapon…the katana through the shoji door, the kusarigama’s rush assassination over a little gap.nd. The tanto and hidden blade combo, you can do a classic double assassinate with those two tools.”
Yasuke, meanwhile, is not built for stealth. When asked ifstealthy gameplay with Yasukewas possible, Lemay-Comtois laughed and exclaimed “You can try!” He explained that it’s possible, but incredibly difficult. Due to Yasuke’s size, he makes noise and sticks out from cover while sneaking around, meaning that playing stealth with Yasuke could be a challenge even for experienced players.
The Narrative Highlights Their Similarities And Differences
Davies explained that the beginning of the game focuses on establishing the differences between Yasuke and Naoe. As a samurai servingOda Nobunaga, Yasuke is very familiar with the conflicts of the Warring States period and the effects they have had on Japan. Naoe, on the other hand, comes from the isolated, “fiercely independent” Iga. She has been sheltered from the conflict untilShadows’events forcibly expose her to it. “Yasuke and Naoe don’t start off on the right foot,” Davies revealed. “The moment of confrontation between the two is a very interesting starting point.”
However,Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Naoeand Yasuke ultimately learn and grow from one another, becoming a pair who work well together on their shared mission. Summarizing the effect the two have on one another, Davies had this to say:
“Vengeance is a lonely path.” Until they meet and come together, Naoe and Yasuke are both on this lonely path of vengeance. In coming together, they’re going to complete each other and remove themselves from this cycle of vengeance, from this path.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
