Summary
What was once known simply asAssassin’s Creed Red, the newestACentry set in feudal Japan, is nowAssassin’s Creed Shadows, and it looks to be everything fans have been waiting for and more. The journey towards anAssassin’s Creedgame set in feudal Japan has been a long one, as many longtime fans have wanted a game that centers around the time period for the better part of a decade.Assassin’s Creed Shadowslooks to deliver on those wishes and then some, allowing players to take control of both a stealthy ninja and a samurai warrior.
The newestAssassin’s Creed Shadowsgameplay reveal offered an extensive look at how these protagonists will work. Echoingthe Frye twins fromAC Syndicate, Naoe and Yasuke will have unique playstyles. Naoe’s shinobi upbringing makes her best suited for stealth activities, sneaking through environments without making a sound and striking her targets with great precision. Yasuke sacrifices stealth for brute force, instead opting to muscle his way through the opposition. This makes for several enticing gameplay opportunities on paper, but it also has strong implications for how no two quests will be the same.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Protagonists Make For Two Distinct Experiences
From a pure gameplay perspective,Naoe and Yasuke’s differences are clear. When it comes to actually moving throughShadows' quests, however, they can affect how players experience the game in dramatic ways. The newest gameplay trailer and clips from previous promotions provided a taste of this, as the two assassins are shown to be distinct and not just two sides of the same coin. Whereas the aforementioned example ofAC Syndicatehad its protagonists play fundamentally the same aside from some quirks, Naoe and Yasuke’s differences will substantially affect gameplay.
With Naoe, missions can feel much more tense and the pace much slower due to the need for strict adherence to stealth. Players must stick to the shadows and use Naoe’s movement skills to their advantage, because if they’re spotted, Naoe won’t be able to handle a full-on assault the same way Yasuke can. On the other hand, Yasuke can greatly increase the tempo of a quest and inject more chaos into things. By taking adversaries head-on,Yasuke’s approach is much more action-packedbut loses the benefits of moving through an environment undetected.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Dual Protagonists Give Players Meaningful Choice
Choosing which character to play inAssassin’s Creed Shadowswill be much more meaningful, offering players the choice to tackle a mission exactly how they prefer. With recentACgames receiving criticism for shying away from a pure stealth experience in favor of more direct combat, choosing between a ninja or samurai inAC Shadowslooks to give fans the best of both worlds. It should also help ensure the overall gameplay experience doesn’t grow stale, as players will always have the choice to switch things up if they decide they’ve grown tired of utilizing one assassin’s playstyle over the other.
After years of trying to blend two types of gameplay into one character, Ubisoft may have struck gold by separating them into separate characters. Time will tell if Naoe and Yasuke’s unique gameplay has a meaningful enough impact, but afterShadows' Ubisoft Forward appearance, there’s a strong chance that the developer may have found a sufficient balance. Just as many fans waited years for Vikings to appear,Japan has been a long time coming for theAssassin’s Creedfranchise. Fortunately, the wait won’t be much longer to explore feudal Japan as the time period’s most iconic warriors.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
