Assassin’s Creed Shadows' dual-protagonist approach differs from past games because they are distinct characters and personalities (unlikeAC Odyssey) with differently tailored playstyles (unlikeAC Syndicate).Yasuke is a brutal samurai, capable of quickly putting down any opposition head-on, while Naoe is a stealthy Assassin preferring to operate from the shadows. However, they are in one game, which also means that open combat somehow has to work for both of them.
Assassin’s Creed Shadowsaccommodates both characters by ensuring they shine in one scenario and struggle in another. For example, it is possible to attempt stealth as Yasuke, but it is much harder. It is possible to engage in open combat as Naoe, but it is much harder. Combat helps drive these tailored playstyles thanks to the way Yasuke and Naoe engage with armor. Game Rant recently spoke with associate game director Simon Lemay-Comtois regarding how open combat and enemy armor work for both characters.
In brief, Yasuke’s overwhelming might is enough to punish and quickly break an enemy’s armor, while Naoe struggles because she focuses on unarmored spots. Yasuke breaks through armor quicker, while Naoe’s attacks only slowly chip away in open scenarios. This creates different opportunities for each character. Lemay-Comtois explains thatYasuke’s combat balanceis about breaking through armor and killing in a straightforward manner, but “when Naoe does stealth, she gets around the armor.” Lemay-Comtois also further elaborated that,
“Naoe stabs in the heart, the throat, areas where there is no armor. When she’s stuck in a fight, she has to deal with the fact that there’s armor now. She cannot just go for easy kills, so it takes much more time and effort to fight this way. That creates a path of least resistance for her: stealth.”
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Protagonists Shine in Their Own Ways
Meanwhile, Yasuke can perform stealth, but he’s tall, bulky, and loud. This means he’s more easily spotted and thus the path of least resistance for Yasuke is directly into open combat. Both characters can do both, but one excels in an area the other struggles in.
While some fans may prefer to play as Yasuke orNaoe more inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, design choices like this should do a lot to encourage more fairly distributed playtimes. Players need to find their path of least resistance too, after all.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
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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.
