Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces a unique gameplay dynamic with two fully developed protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke. As players eagerly await the game's release, many are curious about when and how they can switch between these two characters. Here’s a detailed guide on when you can switch between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
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Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe
Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows boasts a vast open world, the initial experience is more linear. The game's prologue, which lasts approximately 90 minutes, alternates between Naoe and Yasuke at designated moments. After completing the prologue, players remain locked as Naoe for several hours.
For those eager to dive into the Samurai experience right away, there's a wait. Players must continue as Naoe until nearly the end of the first act. The early game focuses solely on Naoe, with Yasuke making his first playable appearance in the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He then becomes playable again during the Fire and Lightning Quest. Upon completing this quest and Act I, players gain the freedom to switch between the two protagonists more freely.
How Long Does it Take to Unlock Protagonist Switching in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
In my playthrough, unlocking the ability to switch between protagonists at the end of Act I took about 10 hours. This included engaging in a significant amount of side content. For those looking to expedite the process and experience the dual protagonists sooner, focusing on the main storyline could reduce this time to around 6 to 8 hours.
How to Switch Between Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Some cutscenes allow players to choose between playing as Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Once the ability to freely play as both Naoe and Yasuke is unlocked, switching between them becomes straightforward. One method is through fast travel. When selecting a fast travel location on the map, players can choose between two options: standard fast travel or fast travel as the other protagonist. Opting for the latter will switch your character to the one you're not currently playing and transport you to the chosen location. This feature is available across various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.
Additionally, during the story, some quests offer the choice between playing as Yasuke or Naoe, allowing players to decide which protagonist to control.
When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered
While the open world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers considerable freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke after Act I, certain story segments and major quests lock players into a specific protagonist. Moreover, there are character-specific quests and activities that delve into Naoe and Yasuke's backstories before they met, featuring only one character at a time. These quests and activities are marked with distinct symbols: a Samurai helmet for Yasuke and a Shinobi’s hood for Naoe.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on March 20th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
