Ubisoft has finally pulled back the curtain on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the upcoming entry in the popular franchise that takes players to feudal Japan. A cinematic trailer alongside a detailed breakdown introduces the game’s unique twist: players will control two protagonists with distinct narratives and gameplay styles.
Naoe, a skilled shinobi from the Iga Province, represents the stealthy side of the game. Yasuke, on the other hand, is a real-life historical figure – the first playable character in the series based on a real person – and brings a powerful samurai experience to the table.
“We have two fantasies we want players to experience – the samurai and the shinobi,” explains Charles Benoit, game director at Ubisoft Quebec. “Their different social classes and lives wouldn’t allow us to combine them into one character, so offering dual protagonists felt like the natural choice.”
This translates into contrasting gameplay. Yasuke, the towering samurai, excels in open combat, breaking through defenses and taking down multiple enemies. Conversely, Naoe relies on the shadows, using her agility and signature hidden blade to remain unseen.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches on November 15, 2024, and pre-orders are now available on the Ubisoft Store and Epic Games Store.