Assassin's Creed Shadows features two fully-realized protagonists: the shinobi Naoe and the samurai Yasuke. While Ubisoft confirmed this dual-character approach, many players wonder when and how character switching becomes available. Here's everything you need to know about controlling Naoe and Yasuke throughout your journey.
The Early Game Focuses Heavily on Naoe
Despite its vast open world, Assassin's Creed Shadows begins with a structured narrative approach. The 90-minute prologue alternates between Naoe and Yasuke through scripted sequences. However, once this introduction concludes, players continue exclusively as Naoe for several additional hours.
Players hoping to immediately experience Yasuke's samurai gameplay will need patience. The early game centers entirely on Naoe's story, with Yasuke absent until the pivotal Temple of the Horseman quest. Even then, Yasuke only becomes playable briefly during the Fire and Lightning quest. Full character-switching freedom arrives after completing Act I.
Timeline For Unlocking Character Switching
During my playthrough, reaching the character-switching milestone took approximately 10 hours while completing side content. Focused players progressing strictly through main quests can likely unlock this feature within 6-8 hours of gameplay.
Switching Mechanics Explained
Once unlocked, players can switch characters through multiple methods. The simplest involves fast travel mechanics - when selecting any fast travel point, players receive two prompt options: standard fast travel or traveling as the alternative protagonist.
The game also presents narrative moments where you can choose which character to control for certain quests. This flexibility allows players to approach missions with their preferred playstyle.
Character Switching Limitations
While post-Act I generally allows free switching, some restrictions apply:
- Critical story moments lock character selection
- Character-specific main quests require their respective protagonist
- Certain side activities display unique icons indicating required characters
Each protagonist maintains their own unique questlines exploring their background stories. These personal narratives remain character-exclusive throughout the entire game.
Assassin's Creed Shadows launches March 20 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
