In a recent interview with Xbox Wire, Charles Benoit, Game Director of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, talked about the upcoming game’s dual-protagonist system. He shared details on how players will play the game. Set in feudal Japan during the Sengoku era, Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a new approach by allowing players to take on the roles of two different characters: Naoe, a stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, a formidable samurai.
Benoit says they want to maintain the core elements of Assassin’s Creed: stealth and combat. The shinobi archetype aligns perfectly with the franchise’s focus on stealth and infiltration, while the addition of the samurai introduces a new aspect of open combat to the gameplay experience. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla’s poor staying power may have gotten to the team.
According to Benoit, players will be able to switch between Naoe and Yasuke while exploring the open world, allowing them to approach situations based on their preferred playstyle. Naoe, with her agility and grappling hook, is proficient at navigating environments and performing silent takedowns. On the other hand, Yasuke brings brute force to the table by wielding a wider range of weapons and having the ability to block and parry enemy attacks.
The characters have unique identities that go beyond their fighting techniques. Each character interacts with the world in their own way. Yasuke, known as a samurai, has a commanding presence that may make crowds bow, while Naoe, with her shinobi training, can blend into the background seamlessly. So one is an assassin we’d expect from the series, while the other is part of the new combat-oriented side that’s been pushed onto players.
This dual-protagonist system isn’t new; we saw it done very well in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. This feature seems to be because the community is split between those who like the new direction of the series and those who want the series to remain in its assassin roots. Essentially, players can choose to prioritize Naoe for stealth gameplay, or gravitate towards Yasuke for open combat scenarios.
For those who are curious, yes, Assassin’s Creed Shadows expands on the RPG elements seen in Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla.
