Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces players to two distinct protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke, allowing for a unique dual narrative experience. However, the game's structure around switching between these characters has been somewhat ambiguous leading up to its launch. Here’s a detailed look at when and how you can switch between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a vast open world, the initial experience is quite linear. During the game’s prologue, which lasts approximately 90 minutes, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke at predetermined moments. After completing the prologue, players will be locked into playing as Naoe for several hours.
For those eager to embody the Samurai Yasuke from the get-go, you’ll need to wait until nearly the end of Act I. The early stages of the game focus exclusively on Naoe, with Yasuke making his first playable appearance during the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He becomes the sole playable character briefly for the Fire and Lightning Quest. Once Act I is completed, players gain the freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke more freely.
How Long Does it Take to Unlock Protagonist Switching in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
In my playthrough, reaching the end of Act I and unlocking the ability to switch between protagonists took about 10 hours. This included exploring a lot of side content. For players aiming to progress quickly through the main storyline, it's possible to reach this point in around 6 to 8 hours.
How to Switch Between Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Once the ability to switch between protagonists is unlocked, doing so is straightforward. Players can switch characters by fast traveling to a location. When selecting a fast travel point on the map, there are two options: one to fast travel as the current protagonist and another to switch to the other protagonist upon arrival. This feature is available at various locations, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.
Additionally, certain story quests will present options for players to choose which protagonist to play as during specific missions.
When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered
After Act I, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers significant freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke in the open world. However, certain story-driven moments and major quests lock players into playing as one specific protagonist.
It's also important to note that there are character-specific quests and activities. Both Naoe and Yasuke have unique quests that delve into their backgrounds before they met, which are exclusive to each character. Some side activities are also designated for either Naoe or Yasuke, marked by symbols—a Samurai helmet for Yasuke and a Shinobi’s hood for Naoe.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on March 20th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
