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Assassin’s Creed Shadows has two separate protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke. This article will tell you everything you need to know about them.
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows is taking players back to feudal Japan. More specifically, Japan during the end of the Sengoku Period. It was a widely requested setting since the conflict of that time period and the shinobi culture go quite well with an AC game. Other than that, an Assassin with a katana is a cool concept as well. The announcement of Project Red confirmed both of these. But Ubisoft surprised everyone when they revealed that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will feature two separate protagonists instead of one.
We have seen dual protagonists in AC Syndicate before, but Ubisoft is seemingly pushing the limits of this concept to bring something new and fresh to the players. Naoe, a shinobi, and Yasuke, a samurai, are the dual protagonists in AC Shadows. Here’s everything we know about them.
Everything We Know About Naoe and Yasuke
When Ubisoft first announced Project Red, they showed a short clip of Naoe on top of a Japanese building holding a katana and showing off her hidden blade with a setting sun in the background. Since then, understandably, fans expected a shinobi to headline the new AC title because of the teaser and the fact that shinobis were masters of stealth and assassinations. However, Japan was home to another popular historical faction, the Samurai, and Ubisoft did not forget that.
So, naturally, the developers of Ubisoft Quebec decided to put two protagonists in the game with two different playstyles that will appeal to both shinobi and samurai fans. This decision resulted in the creation of Naoe and Yasuke. Both characters offer a different personality and approach in Assassin’s Creed Shadows and bring an interesting dynamic to the table. And their journey will be intertwined in the game’s story.
Who Is Naoe the Shinobi in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Naoe is an original character from the Iga Province, created exclusively for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. And she is the fictional daughter of Fujibayashi Nagato. He is quite popular among the Shinobi enthusiasts and is known as one of the three legendary ninjas of the Iga Province alongside Hattori Hanzo and Momochi Sandayu. The developers have confirmed that they have taken liberties with portraying Naoe’s father. However, Ubisoft hasn’t revealed much about Naoe’s story. But we can assume that her rich background will definitely be a crucial part of the game’s main storyline.
Naoe is designed for the players who prefer a stealth approach. She is agile, adept in parkour, and has the hidden blade, which is a signature of the franchise. Additionally, she is quite weak in direct combat, which was a deliberate choice from the creators to deviate her from her counterpart, Yasuke, as much as possible. However, her tools, gadgets, and mobility create a character that could take well-guarded fortresses down without anyone noticing. She is a traditional shinobi and assassin who likes to strike from the shadows.
Who Is Yasuke the Samurai in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Unlike Naoe and other AC protagonists before her, Yasuke is based on a real historical figure by the same name. Yasuke was an African slave who was brought to Japan in order to serve Oda Nobunaga. He is a samurai and the other lead of the game.
Game Director Charles Benoit stated that the developers saw Yasuke as a great opportunity to portray Japan through a foreigner’s eyes, since it could serve as a contrast to Naoe’s perspective. Additionally, Benoit has also said that they took inspiration from the Chronicles of Nobunaga’s life to create Yasuke’s background and character in the game.
Ubisoft created Yasuke from his real-life counterpart, who was reportedly 6 ft tall and had the strength of 20 men. So it is safe to say that he is the tank of AC Shadows and won’t be as agile or sneaky as Naoe. The character is a perfect fit for players who prefer a direct approach and open combat. He is a samurai after all, and the samurai were notorious for their brutality and sense of honour.
Contrary to Naoe, Yasuke can equip heavy armour; he has a lot more HP, and his attacks do way more damage. However, because of his heavy build, as Yasuke, you won’t be able to do much parkour or sneaking around. If Naoe can quietly take a fortress down, then Yasuke can walk through the front door and burn it to the ground.
Ubisoft Aims To Provide Freedom to the Fans
In the end, Ubisoft has confirmed that players will be able to play most of Assassin’s Creed Shadows with just one protagonist. So, you can pick the character that suits your playstyle the best. Additionally, there were some mixed reactions regarding the dual protagonist approach in Shadows when it was first announced. But many would agree that it gives players the freedom to choose between the Samurai and the Shinobi fantasy, so fans of both factions can enjoy the game.
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