(Image credit: Ubisoft)
The release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces an intriguing yet controversial decision for players: choose between the two protagonists, Yasuke or Naoe. This choice is likely to split opinions. Will you embrace stealth or combat? Agility or brute strength?
When I first started the game, I was unsure which path to take until I picked up the controller. My journey as Yasuke immediately felt laborious, contradicting his robust character.
While I prefer Yasuke’s personality, playing as him feels like a chore rather than an adventure, hinting at a fundamental flaw in the way Ubisoft approached the “dual protagonists” idea.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows review further elaborates on this dual protagonist system.
Comparing Yasuke and Naoe, it becomes clear that Naoe holds the advantage in terms of speed and agility. Her parkouring skills are unmatched, with a longer jump and equipped with essential tools like a grappling hook and more exotic gadgets such as smoke bombs and kunai.
In combat, Naoe wields an array of weapons – from the swift tanto to the versatile kusarigama. Additionally, her “Eagle Vision” offers significant advantages for performing assassination feats unique to her skillset.
Meanwhile, Yasuke’s arsenal, while powerful, lacks the same engagement. His katana feels unwieldy next to Naoe’s fluid animations. Despite his collection of weapons, including a naginata and a cumbersome club, Yasuke’s gameplay becomes a test of patience rather than skill.
While he may have more health and thrive in chaotic situations, this doesn’t translate to a fun experience. The game seems imbalanced, favoring Naoe’s ingenuity over Yasuke’s raw power, which, while formidable, lacks creative use.
The skewed experience continues into exploration. Yasuke’s parkouring abilities leave much to be desired. Unlike Naoe, whose gameplay is about rising tension and tactical wit, Yasuke’s approach is more straightforward and less dynamic.
The disparity becomes evident during Shadows’ opening hours. Yasuke’s brief screen time contrasts with Naoe’s engaging narrative journey.
Narratively, Yasuke offers depth, making it disappointing that much of his storyline is marginalized and conveyed through brief, less effective flashbacks. This dichotomy underlines the imbalance in character narratives and abilities.
The concept of two protagonists in Assassin’s Creed holds promise, yet its execution in Shadows falls short. Future installments might benefit from focusing both characters on the series’ stealth roots, offering varied strategies within this realm.
For tips on mastering either character in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, these guidelines are invaluable.