Yasuke in Shadows: A Fresh Take on Assassin's Creed

Thanks to a renewed focus on the ideas that the series was originally built on, Assassin’s Creed Shadows delivers the most satisfying experience the franchise has seen in years. The game reintroduces fluid parkour, reminiscent of the system seen in Unity, allowing you to seamlessly transition from the ground to castle rooftops. The addition of a grappling hook enhances this experience, making it even quicker to reach strategic vantage points. When perched on a high tightrope above the enemy, executing the perfect kill is just a drop away—provided you're playing as Naoe. However, switching to Yasuke, the game's second protagonist, shifts the gameplay entirely.

Yasuke presents a stark contrast to the typical Assassin’s Creed protagonist. He moves slowly, struggles with climbing, and lacks the ability to perform silent kills. His design feels like a departure from the series' norms and has been both baffling and intriguing for players. When controlling Yasuke, the game feels less like Assassin’s Creed and more like a different genre altogether.

Yasuke changes the rules of Assassin's Creed, promoting grounded combat over parkour stealth. | Image credit: Ubisoft

Initially, the significant differences between Yasuke’s capabilities and the core philosophy of Assassin’s Creed were frustrating. Why introduce a protagonist who can barely climb and is incapable of stealthy takedowns? Yet, as I spent more time with Yasuke, I began to appreciate his unique role. He challenges the series' conventions, addressing issues that have persisted in recent installments.

You don't encounter Yasuke until several hours into the campaign, after spending considerable time with Naoe, a swift shinobi embodying the essence of an assassin. Transitioning from Naoe to Yasuke can be jarring. Yasuke, a towering samurai, struggles to sneak through enemy camps and can only climb modest heights. His movement on rooftops is cautious and conspicuous, introducing a level of friction that can make traversal feel laborious.

While Yasuke isn't forced to stay at ground level, the game's design encourages it, limiting his access to high vantage points and thus his ability to strategize effectively. Unlike Naoe, who can use Eagle Vision to highlight enemies, Yasuke has no such advantage, relying solely on his strength.

Assassin's Creed has traditionally been about stealthy kills and vertical exploration, elements that Yasuke directly opposes. Playing as him feels more akin to Ghost of Tsushima than Assassin’s Creed, emphasizing combat over stealth. Yasuke's gameplay forces players to rethink their approach to the series, moving away from the effortless climbing of past protagonists to more deliberate and challenging paths.

Yasuke's design introduces hidden pathways that require careful observation to navigate, adding a layer of strategy to reaching objectives. These paths, while limiting general exploration, guide Yasuke to where he needs to be. His only stealth ability, the "Brutal Assassination," is more of a combat starter than a silent takedown, leading into some of the best swordplay Assassin’s Creed has seen in over a decade. The combat mechanics are rich and varied, offering a satisfying contrast to Naoe's stealth-focused gameplay.

Yasuke enjoys the best combat mechanics Assassin's Creed has ever had. | Image credit: Ubisoft

The separation of combat and stealth into two distinct characters helps maintain the balance that has been lost in recent games like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. Naoe's fragility ensures that combat remains a strategic choice rather than a default, while Yasuke's strength allows for a more direct approach when needed.

Despite the intention behind Yasuke's design, his fit within the Assassin’s Creed framework remains questionable. The series is built on stealth and vertical exploration, elements that Yasuke struggles with. While characters like Bayek and Eivor ventured into action territory, they still retained core assassin abilities. Yasuke, as a samurai, thematically fits his limitations, but they prevent players from experiencing Assassin’s Creed in its traditional form.

The real challenge for Yasuke is the presence of Naoe, who is arguably the best protagonist the series has seen in years. Her stealth toolkit, combined with the verticality of Sengoku Period Japan, fulfills the promise of Assassin’s Creed as a highly mobile silent killer. Naoe benefits from the same design changes that shape Yasuke, offering a more realistic climbing experience that still feels true to the series.

Naoe's combat is as impactful as Yasuke's, though she can't sustain prolonged battles. This raises the question: why choose Yasuke when Naoe offers a more complete Assassin’s Creed experience?

Ubisoft's attempt to offer two distinct playstyles with Yasuke and Naoe is commendable, yet it creates a double-edged sword. Yasuke's unique approach provides a fresh and compelling experience, but it also challenges the core tenets of Assassin’s Creed. While I'll enjoy the thrill of Yasuke's combat, it's through Naoe that I'll truly explore the world of Shadows, as she embodies the essence of what it means to play Assassin’s Creed.