Differentiating Pathways: Exploring the Dual Protagonists of Assassin's Creed Shadows

The director of Assassin's Creed Shadows explains the protagonists' unique aspects in the series' latest installment.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey introduced players to Alexios and Kassandra. While Kassandra was the canonical protagonist, Alexios was available for those who preferred a male character. Similarly, in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Eivor's male and female versions performed virtually the same role in the game's narrative. In contrast, Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows offer more distinct experiences reminiscent of Assassin's Creed Syndicate's dual protagonists.

During an interview with game director Charles Benoit, we explored why Yasuke and Naoe feel like entirely separate characters. Benoit explained that this differentiation was primarily for gameplay purposes. The game enriches its storytelling and gameplay mechanics by offering two distinct perspectives. The samurai and shinobi characters embody the franchise's core elements of combat and stealth.

Benoit emphasized the importance of having meaningful challenges in the game. He noted that if players fail in their stealth approach, they can't simply resort to combat to resolve the situation. Players must decide whether to tackle challenges head-on or retreat and attempt a different stealth strategy.

The gameplay reveals that Yasuke excels in direct combat, whereas Naoe specializes in stealth tactics.