Assassin's Creed: Shadows brings a refreshing return to the series' roots, offering the most engaging experience in years. The game's parkour system, reminiscent of Unity's, allows for seamless transitions from ground to castle rooftops, enhanced further by a grappling hook that speeds up your ascent to prime vantage points. Perched on a tightrope high above your foes, you're poised for the perfect kill—but only if you're playing as Naoe. Switch to Yasuke, the game's second protagonist, and you'll find yourself in a completely different gameplay dynamic.
Yasuke is characterized by his slow, clumsy movements and inability to perform silent kills. His climbing is laborious, starkly contrasting the agile nature typical of Assassin’s Creed protagonists. This design choice by Ubisoft is both puzzling and intriguing. Playing as Yasuke shifts the experience away from the classic Assassin's Creed feel, introducing a new challenge that diverges from the series' traditional stealth and parkour focus.
Initially, the disparity between Yasuke's capabilities and the core tenets of Assassin's Creed was frustrating. Why include a protagonist who struggles with basic tenets like climbing and silent takedowns? However, as I delved deeper into his gameplay, I began to appreciate the unique perspective Yasuke offers. He forces players to confront and address longstanding issues within the series, particularly the ease of exploration and combat.
Yasuke's introduction into the game is delayed until several hours into the campaign, after players have already acclimated to Naoe's swift and stealthy shinobi style. Transitioning to Yasuke's more grounded and combat-focused approach can be jarring. His size and noise make stealth nearly impossible, and his climbing abilities are severely limited, pushing players to navigate environments at ground level and engage in direct combat.
Assassin's Creed has traditionally been about stealth and vertical exploration, elements that Yasuke directly challenges. His gameplay feels more akin to titles like Ghost of Tsushima, emphasizing fierce combat over stealth. Playing as Yasuke requires a complete reevaluation of how to approach Assassin's Creed missions. While he can't scale every surface like previous protagonists, careful environmental observation reveals alternative pathways tailored for his abilities, adding a layer of strategic planning to the gameplay.
Yasuke's combat prowess is undeniable, boasting the best swordplay the series has seen in over a decade. His "Brutal Assassination" skill, while far from stealthy, serves as a powerful opener to combat sequences. The separation of combat and stealth into two distinct characters prevents the series' recent trend of blending these elements too heavily, ensuring a balanced gameplay experience. Naoe's fragility forces players to rely on stealth and evasion, while Yasuke's strength allows for head-on confrontations.
Despite the innovative design behind Yasuke, his fit within the Assassin's Creed framework remains questionable. The series has always been about stealthy kills and vertical exploration—elements Yasuke directly opposes. While characters like Bayek and Eivor leaned heavily into action, they still maintained the core Assassin's Creed mechanics. Yasuke, however, challenges the very essence of what it means to play an Assassin's Creed game.
Naoe, on the other hand, embodies the quintessential Assassin's Creed experience. Her toolkit, combined with the verticality of Sengoku Period Japan, allows for a highly mobile and silent approach to gameplay. The design changes that limit Yasuke's climbing abilities also enhance Naoe's, requiring players to strategize their routes and utilize the grappling hook effectively. Naoe's combat, while sharing the same enhanced swordplay as Yasuke, emphasizes the series' signature blend of stealth and action.
AnswerSee ResultsUltimately, Ubisoft's attempt to offer two distinct playstyles with Yasuke and Naoe creates a double-edged sword. While Yasuke provides a compelling combat-focused experience, it's Naoe who truly captures the essence of Assassin's Creed. Her ability to navigate the world with grace and precision, combined with her effective stealth and combat capabilities, makes her the preferred choice for players seeking the classic Assassin's Creed experience.
