Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces players to two distinct protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke. However, understanding when and how to switch between these characters has been a bit murky. Here's a detailed guide on when you can switch between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe
The game starts with a linear prologue that lasts about 90 minutes, where players alternate between Naoe and Yasuke at set intervals. After the prologue, the gameplay remains locked to Naoe for several hours. If you're eager to embody the Samurai Yasuke right away, you'll need to be patient. You won't be able to play as Yasuke until you reach the Temple of the Horseman Quest, which is near the end of the game's first act. Yasuke becomes playable during the Fire and Lightning Quest, and after completing this and Act I, you gain the freedom to switch between the two protagonists more freely.
How Long Does it Take to Unlock Protagonist Switching in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
In my playthrough, reaching the end of Act I and unlocking the ability to freely switch between Naoe and Yasuke took about 10 hours. This included exploring a lot of side content. If you focus solely on the main storyline, you might reach this point in about 6 to 8 hours, allowing you to fully experience Assassin’s Creed Shadows with its dual protagonists.
How to Switch Between Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Once you've unlocked the ability to switch freely, there are multiple ways to do so. One method is by using fast travel. When hovering over a fast travel location on the map, you'll see two prompts: one to fast travel and another to switch protagonists during the travel. Selecting the latter will transport you to the chosen location as the other character. This option is available at various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.
Additionally, during certain story quests, you'll be given the choice to play as either Naoe or Yasuke.
When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered
In the expansive world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you generally have the freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke after Act I. However, there are specific story moments and major quests where the protagonist is locked, ensuring that certain scenes and quests are experienced from a particular character's perspective.
It's also important to note that there are character-specific quests and activities. Naoe and Yasuke each have unique quests that delve into their backstories before they met, and these quests feature only one character. Additionally, some side activities are exclusive to either Naoe or Yasuke, indicated by 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.
