Assassin's Creed Codename: Red introduces a significant change to the franchise: dual protagonists. Yasuke, the samurai, and Naoe, the shinobi, offer vastly different gameplay experiences, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right character depends heavily on your playstyle and the task at hand.
Yasuke the Samurai: Pros and Cons
Yasuke presents a unique gameplay experience. His samurai skills and imposing physique make him a formidable powerhouse in combat, reminiscent of a Dark Souls boss. He excels at crowd control, delivering devastating melee attacks that efficiently dispatch both standard and elite enemies, such as the Daimyo patrolling castles. His proficiency with a bow and arrow adds ranged combat capabilities.
However, Yasuke's strengths in open combat are offset by weaknesses in stealth and traversal. His assassinations are slower and leave him vulnerable, and his parkour abilities are significantly less agile than previous Assassin's Creed protagonists. While he can technically reach synchronization points, many prove challenging or impossible for him to access, hindering exploration.
Naoe the Shinobi: Pros and Cons
Naoe embodies the classic Assassin's Creed assassin. Her agility and stealth skills shine, allowing for effortless traversal and silent takedowns. With focused skill investment, she becomes a master of stealth, executing swift assassinations and utilizing parkour to her advantage.
Conversely, Naoe's lower health and weaker melee capabilities make open combat challenging. Engaging multiple enemies often necessitates retreating to regain stealth, emphasizing her reliance on evasion and strategic takedowns.
Choosing Your Protagonist in Assassin's Creed Codename: Red
The choice between Yasuke and Naoe often boils down to personal preference, though story progression may dictate which character is available for specific quests. However, certain situations favor each protagonist.
Naoe's superior mobility makes her ideal for exploration, uncovering the map, and synchronizing viewpoints. She's also effective for assassination contracts, particularly after skill investment.
Yasuke excels in combat scenarios, especially against powerful enemies like the Daimyo within castles, where his strength and brutal assassination capabilities prove invaluable.
Ultimately, the best protagonist depends on the task. For exploration and stealth, choose Naoe; for challenging combat, choose Yasuke. Beyond these specific scenarios, the choice largely depends on individual preference and whether you favor the classic Assassin's Creed stealth or the more direct combat style.
Assassin's Creed Codename: Red will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. (Release date to be announced)
