Yasuke in Shadows: A Fresh Take on Assassin's Creed

Thanks to a renewed focus on the ideas the series was originally built on, Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers the most satisfying experience the franchise has offered in years. With the best parkour system since Unity, players can seamlessly transition from ground level to castle rooftops. The addition of a grappling hook further enhances this fluidity, allowing for quicker ascents to strategic vantage points. Perched on a tightrope high above the enemy, you're just a drop away from executing the perfect kill, provided you're playing as Naoe, the game's swift shinobi protagonist. However, switching to Yasuke, the second protagonist, shifts the gameplay dynamic entirely.

Yasuke, a towering samurai, presents a stark contrast to the traditional Assassin’s Creed experience. He's slow, clumsy, and unable to perform silent kills, making him an antithesis to the series' typical protagonist. His climbing abilities are severely limited, forcing players to navigate the environment in a more deliberate manner. This design choice, while initially frustrating, brings a fresh perspective to the series, encouraging ground-level combat over stealthy parkour.

Yasuke changes the rules of Assassin's Creed, promoting grounded combat over parkour stealth. | Image credit: Ubisoft

Initially, the significant difference between Yasuke's capabilities and the core tenets of Assassin’s Creed can be jarring. After spending hours mastering Naoe's agile movements, switching to Yasuke feels like a step back. He struggles to navigate the rooftops and lacks the stealth tools that define the series. Yet, this limitation encourages a more thoughtful approach to gameplay, focusing on brute strength and direct combat rather than the series' traditional stealth and vertical exploration.

Yasuke's design pushes players to stay on the ground, limiting their ability to survey and plan from high vantage points. Unlike Naoe, who can rely on Eagle Vision, Yasuke has no such advantage, emphasizing raw power over strategic planning. This shift in gameplay mechanics makes playing as Yasuke feel more akin to titles like Ghost of Tsushima, which are renowned for their combat prowess rather than stealth.

Playing as Yasuke requires players to rethink their approach to Assassin’s Creed. While previous protagonists could climb almost any surface effortlessly, Yasuke's limitations force players to seek out specific paths designed for him. These paths, such as a leaning tree trunk or an open castle window, add a layer of puzzle-solving to the game, making navigation more engaging than the straightforward climbs of past titles.

Yasuke enjoys the best combat mechanics Assassin's Creed has ever had. | Image credit: Ubisoft

Despite his limitations, Yasuke brings a unique combat experience to Shadows. The game features the best swordplay in the series in over a decade, with each strike feeling purposeful and a wide array of techniques to master. This combat prowess provides a stark contrast to Naoe's stealthy approach, offering players a different yet equally compelling gameplay style.

The dual protagonist system in Shadows ensures that combat and stealth remain distinct. Naoe's fragility prevents her from engaging in prolonged battles, forcing players to rely on stealth and quick escapes. Yasuke, on the other hand, can endure and excel in direct confrontations, making him an attractive option for those seeking a more action-oriented experience.

While Yasuke's design is intentional and brings a new dimension to the series, it's challenging to reconcile his gameplay with the traditional Assassin’s Creed experience. Naoe, with her superior stealth toolkit and the verticality offered by Sengoku Period Japan, embodies the essence of the series more effectively. Her ability to navigate the world with speed and precision, combined with the enhanced combat mechanics shared with Yasuke, makes her the more appealing choice for players seeking the quintessential Assassin’s Creed experience.

Ultimately, Assassin’s Creed Shadows presents a double-edged sword with its dual protagonists. Yasuke offers a compelling, combat-focused alternative that challenges the series' norms, but Naoe remains the true embodiment of what it means to play an Assassin’s Creed game. As players explore the world of Shadows, it's through Naoe's eyes that they'll experience the series' core principles of stealth and vertical exploration.