Assassin’s Creed: Shadows marks a triumphant return to the core principles that fans have cherished for years. The game introduces a parkour system that rivals the best since Unity, allowing players to seamlessly transition from the ground to castle rooftops. The addition of a grappling hook enhances this experience, making the ascent to strategic vantage points quicker and more exhilarating. As Naoe, a swift shinobi, players can perch on a tightrope above their enemies, ready to execute the perfect assassination with grace and precision. However, the game takes a bold turn with its second protagonist, Yasuke, who offers a starkly different gameplay experience.
Yasuke is deliberately designed to be slow, clumsy, and unable to perform silent kills or agile climbs. This design choice by Ubisoft is both baffling and fascinating, as it shifts the gameplay away from the traditional Assassin’s Creed experience. Playing as Yasuke feels like stepping into a different game entirely, one that prioritizes grounded combat over the series' hallmark of stealth and parkour.
Yasuke changes the rules of Assassin's Creed, promoting grounded combat over parkour stealth. | Image credit: Ubisoft
Initially, the significant differences between Yasuke's capabilities and the core philosophy of Assassin’s Creed can be frustrating. Yasuke struggles with basic climbing, unable to scale the jutting roofs of Japan's streets, and his slow pace on rooftops makes him highly visible. This design introduces friction, encouraging players to stay at ground level, which in turn limits their ability to plan and strategize effectively due to the lack of high vantage points. Unlike Naoe, who can use Eagle Vision, Yasuke has no such advantage, relying solely on his raw strength.
Assassin’s Creed has always been about stealthy kills and vertical exploration, elements that Yasuke directly opposes. His gameplay feels more akin to Ghost of Tsushima than Assassin’s Creed, with a focus on fierce combat rather than stealth. Yasuke’s presence in the game challenges players to rethink how they approach the series, moving away from the effortless climbing of past protagonists to a more prescribed, challenging pathfinding experience. Hidden routes and environmental cues guide Yasuke to his objectives, offering a fresh take on exploration.
Yasuke enjoys the best combat mechanics Assassin's Creed has ever had. | Image credit: Ubisoft
Despite his limitations in stealth and climbing, Yasuke excels in combat. Shadows features the best swordplay the series has seen in over a decade, with purposeful strikes and a diverse range of techniques. This starkly contrasts with Naoe's stealth-oriented approach, creating a clear separation between the two protagonists' playstyles. The dual protagonist system ensures that while Naoe's fragility keeps her focused on stealth, Yasuke's strength allows players to engage in satisfying combat sequences.
Yasuke's design, while intentional, poses a challenge within the Assassin’s Creed framework, a series built on stealth and vertical exploration. His inability to fulfill the traditional roles of an Assassin’s Creed protagonist raises questions about his fit within the series. Naoe, on the other hand, embodies the ideal Assassin’s Creed experience with her superior stealth toolkit and the verticality of the Sengoku Period Japan setting.
The design changes that affect Yasuke also enhance Naoe's gameplay. While she can climb almost anywhere, the need to assess routes and use the grappling hook adds realism and challenge. Naoe's combat is as impactful as Yasuke's, though her endurance in battle is less. This raises the question: why play as Yasuke when Naoe offers a more traditional and perhaps more satisfying Assassin’s Creed experience?
Ubisoft's attempt to provide two distinct playstyles with Yasuke and Naoe is commendable, yet it creates a double-edged sword. Yasuke's unique approach to gameplay offers a fresh and compelling experience, yet it opposes the foundational elements of Assassin’s Creed. While Yasuke's combat is thrilling, it is through Naoe that players truly experience the essence of Assassin’s Creed: becoming a highly mobile silent killer in the expansive world of Shadows.
