Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces an exciting dual-protagonist system with Shinobi Naoe and Samurai Yasuke. If you're curious about when and how you can switch between these two characters, here's a detailed breakdown to help you navigate the game.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a vast open world, the initial stages of the game are quite linear. During the 90-minute prologue, you'll switch between Naoe and Yasuke at predetermined points. After the prologue, however, you'll be locked into playing as Naoe for several hours.
For those eager to step into Yasuke's shoes and experience the Samurai fantasy, you'll need to wait until near the end of the game's first act. Naoe remains the sole focus of the early game, with Yasuke making his first playable appearance during the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He becomes playable again for the Fire and Lightning Quest, and once you complete Act I, you gain the freedom to switch between the 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 swap between protagonists took around 10 hours. This included engaging in plenty of side content. If you're keen on speeding through the first act to enjoy the dual-protagonist feature sooner, you might reach this point in about 6 to 8 hours.
How to Switch Between Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Once you've unlocked the ability to freely play as either Naoe or Yasuke, switching between them becomes straightforward. One method is through fast travel. When you hover over a fast travel location on the map, you'll see two button prompts: one for standard fast travel and another to fast travel as the other protagonist. Selecting the latter will allow you to spawn as Naoe or Yasuke at your chosen location, whether it's a Synchronization point or a Kakurega Hideout.
Additionally, during certain story quests, you'll be given the option to choose which protagonist to play as when the quest is presented to Yasuke or Naoe.
When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered
After Act I, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers significant 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 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, which are exclusive to one character. Some side activities must also be completed by either Naoe or Yasuke, marked by distinct 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.
