Assassin's Creed Shadows' lead developer assures players that focusing on a single protagonist won't significantly impact their overall experience. The game features two playable characters: Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai, a choice that has generated pre-release discussion.
Concerns arose among fans that prioritizing one character might lead to missing crucial plot points or gameplay. Creative Director Jonathan Dumont addressed these concerns, describing his own balanced approach: He typically plays 3-5 hours with one character before switching to the other for 2-3 hours.
However, Dumont clarified that players won't be penalized for favoring one character. While each protagonist boasts unique introductory sequences and personal storylines, the game's narrative adapts to the player's choice. He encourages players to play as their preferred character:
"I don't think you'll miss much. It really depends on your play style. You might think, 'Let's see how the game changes based on who I choose.' Each hero has their own unique beginning and personal missions, but the core experience is adaptable. Play your favorite, and the story will adjust."
