Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces two compelling protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke, but the transition between them has been a topic of curiosity. Here’s a detailed look at when and how you can switch between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows boasts a vast open world, the game’s prologue is linear and lasts approximately 90 minutes. During this time, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke in predetermined segments. After completing the prologue, you'll be locked into playing as Naoe for several hours.
For those eager to embody Yasuke and live out their Samurai fantasy, you'll need to be patient. Naoe remains the sole playable character until the end of the first act, near the Temple of the Horseman Quest. Yasuke becomes playable briefly during the Fire and Lightning Quest. Once you complete this quest and Act I, you can switch between the two characters more freely.
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 freely. This included a significant amount of side content. If you focus solely on the main storyline, you could reach this point in approximately 6 to 8 hours.
How to Switch Between Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Once you unlock the ability to switch between Naoe and Yasuke, the process is straightforward. You can switch characters by fast traveling to a location on the map. When hovering over a fast travel point, you'll see two options: one to fast travel as your current character and another to fast travel as the other protagonist. Selecting the latter will spawn you at the chosen location as the alternate character. This feature is available at various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.
Additionally, during certain story quests, you may be presented with the option to choose which protagonist to play as.
When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered
After Act I, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers considerable 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.
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 are exclusive to one character. Additionally, some side activities are designated for either Naoe or Yasuke, marked 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.
