Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces players to two compelling protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke. As anticipation builds toward its release, many are curious about when and how to switch between these characters. Here’s a detailed guide on how to alternate between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Recommended Videos Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows boasts a vast open world, the game's beginning is more linear. During the 90-minute prologue, players will switch between Naoe and Yasuke at predetermined moments. After completing the prologue, the game locks you into playing as Naoe for several hours.
For those eager to experience the Samurai life right away, there's a wait. Naoe remains the sole playable character until nearly the end of the first act. The early game focuses entirely on her, with Yasuke absent until the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He then becomes playable during the Fire and Lightning Quest. Once Act I is completed, players can freely switch between the two protagonists.
How Long Does it Take to Unlock Protagonist Switching in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
In my playthrough, it took about 10 hours to reach the end of Act I and unlock the ability to switch between protagonists. This included engaging in plenty of side content. If you aim to progress quickly through the first act, you might reach this point in around 6 to 8 hours.
How to Switch Between Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Once the ability to play as both Naoe and Yasuke is unlocked, switching between them is straightforward. One method is through fast travel. When selecting a fast travel location on the map, players will see two options: one to fast travel normally and another to switch protagonists. Choosing the latter will transport you to the selected location as the other character. This can be done at various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.
Additionally, during certain story quests, players can choose which protagonist to play as when the quest is presented to Yasuke as Naoe.
When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered
After Act I, players enjoy significant freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke in the open world. However, there are specific story moments and major quests where the protagonist is locked, ensuring key scenes and quests are experienced as intended.
It's important to note that there are character-specific quests and activities. Both Naoe and Yasuke have unique quests that delve into their backgrounds before they met, featuring only one character at a time. There are also side activities that must be completed by either Naoe or Yasuke, marked by distinctive 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.
