Thanks to a renewed focus on the core principles that made the series iconic, Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers the most satisfying experience the franchise has seen in years. The game reintroduces the best parkour mechanics since Unity, allowing you to seamlessly transition from the ground to castle rooftops. With the addition of a grappling hook, reaching the perfect vantage point becomes even quicker. Perched on a tightrope high above your enemies, you're just a drop away from executing the perfect kill—as long as you're playing as Naoe. Switch to Yasuke, the game's second protagonist, and you'll find yourself in a completely different gameplay experience.
Yasuke is slow, clumsy, and unable to perform silent kills. His climbing abilities are so limited that they resemble those of a cautious grandparent. This design choice by Ubisoft is both baffling and intriguing, as playing as Yasuke feels like stepping away from the traditional Assassin’s Creed experience.
Initially, the stark contrast between Yasuke's abilities and the series' core philosophy was frustrating. An Assassin’s Creed protagonist who struggles to climb and can't execute silent takedowns seemed counterintuitive. However, the more I played as him, the more I appreciated the unique perspective he brought to the series. Yasuke's limitations address some of the challenges the franchise has faced in recent years.
You don't get to play as Yasuke until several hours into the campaign, after spending your initial time with Naoe, a swift shinobi who embodies the essence of an assassin better than any protagonist in a decade. Transitioning to Yasuke from Naoe is a jarring experience.
Yasuke's towering stature and lack of stealth make it nearly impossible for him to sneak through enemy camps. His climbing capabilities are severely restricted, forcing him to rely on scaffolding and ladders to make any progress. This design encourages players to stay grounded, which in turn limits his ability to gain strategic vantage points and plan attacks. Unlike Naoe, who can use Eagle Vision, Yasuke has no such tool, leaving him to rely solely on his strength.
Assassin’s Creed has traditionally been about stealthy kills and vertical exploration, elements that Yasuke directly opposes. His gameplay feels more akin to Ghost of Tsushima than Assassin’s Creed, particularly due to his reliance on samurai sword skills rather than stealth. Playing as Yasuke requires a complete rethinking of the Assassin’s Creed approach. While previous protagonists could climb effortlessly, Yasuke's limitations force players to find specific, hidden pathways to reach their objectives. These paths, while limiting his general exploration, add a layer of challenge and strategy.
Yasuke's only stealth-related skill, the "Brutal Assassination," is anything but subtle. It's a loud and aggressive move that initiates combat rather than avoiding it. However, once in combat, Shadows offers the best swordplay the series has seen in over a decade, with each strike purposeful and a variety of techniques available, from rush attacks to satisfying ripostes. The combat is visceral and engaging, creating a clear contrast to Naoe's stealth-focused gameplay.
The separation of combat and stealth into two distinct characters ensures that each style remains true to its roots. In previous titles like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, combat often overshadowed stealth. In Shadows, Naoe's fragility means players must rely on stealth and tactical retreats, while Yasuke's strength allows for direct confrontation. His skill tree, which unlocks over time, adds depth to his combat prowess.
Despite Yasuke's intentional design, fitting him into the Assassin’s Creed narrative remains challenging. The series is built on stealth and vertical exploration, concepts Yasuke directly contradicts. While characters like Bayek and Eivor leaned more towards action, they still retained core Assassin’s Creed mechanics like climbing and using hidden blades. Yasuke, as a samurai, struggles with these traditional elements, making it difficult to play the game as it was traditionally intended.
The real issue Yasuke faces is his counterpart, Naoe. Mechanically, Naoe is the best Assassin’s Creed protagonist in years. Her stealth toolkit, combined with the vertical architecture of Sengoku Period Japan, allows for a true Assassin’s Creed experience. While Naoe also benefits from the game's new, more realistic climbing mechanics, her ability to leap further and climb faster enhances the open-world sandbox feel. Her combat, while not as enduring as Yasuke's, is just as impactful and violent.
Ubisoft's attempt to offer two distinct playstyles with Yasuke and Naoe is commendable but presents a double-edged sword. Yasuke's unique gameplay adds a fresh perspective to the series, but it also challenges the fundamental concepts that define Assassin’s Creed. While I'll always return to Yasuke for the thrill of his combat, it's through Naoe that I'll truly explore the world of Shadows. Playing as Naoe feels like playing Assassin’s Creed as it was meant to be played.
