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

With a renewed emphasis on the core elements that defined the series, *Assassin’s Creed: Shadows* delivers the most fulfilling experience the franchise has seen in years. The game's parkour system, reminiscent of the fluidity seen in *Unity*, allows you to seamlessly transition from the ground to castle rooftops. The addition of a grappling hook further enhances your ability to reach prime vantage points swiftly. Perched on a tightrope high above your enemies, you're just a drop away from executing the perfect assassination—as long as you're playing as Naoe, one of the game's protagonists. Switch to Yasuke, the second protagonist, and the gameplay dynamics shift dramatically.

Yasuke is slow, clumsy, and unable to perform silent kills, climbing with the awkwardness of a novice. He embodies a stark contrast to the typical *Assassin’s Creed* protagonist, making him both a puzzling and intriguing addition to the series. Playing as Yasuke feels like stepping into a different genre altogether.

Initially, the stark difference between Yasuke’s abilities and the traditional *Assassin’s Creed* gameplay frustrated me. What's the purpose of a protagonist who struggles to climb and can't silently eliminate foes? Yet, as I spent more time with Yasuke, I began to appreciate his unique design. He addresses critical issues the series has faced recently, despite his evident limitations.

You won’t encounter Yasuke until several hours into the campaign, following a brief appearance in the prologue. Until then, you'll control Naoe, a nimble shinobi who exemplifies the "assassin" aspect of *Assassin’s Creed* better than any protagonist in recent years. Transitioning to Yasuke after mastering Naoe can be disorienting.

Yasuke, a towering samurai, is too conspicuous to sneak through enemy camps and struggles to climb anything beyond his immediate reach. He cannot grip the jutting roofs of Japan’s streets, and when he does find something climbable, his ascent is painfully slow. On rooftops, he awkwardly balances on the apex, fully visible and inching forward cautiously. These limitations introduce a deliberate friction, turning climbing into a tedious task that often requires using scaffolding or ladders.

While these constraints don't force Yasuke to remain at ground level, they strongly encourage it, limiting his visibility and ability to plan strategically. Unlike Naoe, who can rely on Eagle Vision, Yasuke has no such advantage. Choosing him means embracing raw strength over stealth and reconnaissance.

*Assassin’s Creed* traditionally thrives on stealthy kills and vertical exploration, elements that Yasuke directly challenges. Playing as him feels more akin to *Ghost of Tsushima* than *Assassin’s Creed*, emphasizing fierce combat over stealth. This shift requires players to rethink how they approach the game, as Yasuke’s design disrupts the series' usual freedom of movement.

Historically, *Assassin’s Creed* protagonists have been adept climbers, effortlessly scaling towers and glaciers. Yasuke's limitations force a more thoughtful approach, as hidden pathways designed specifically for him become crucial. A leaning tree trunk or an open window can lead to objectives otherwise unreachable without a grappling hook, offering a more engaging challenge than the mindless climbing of past games.

However, these pathways are strictly functional, limiting Yasuke's broader exploration and his ability to gain high ground for strategic observation. His only stealth move, the "Brutal Assassination," is more an opening for combat than a silent kill, showcasing his combat prowess over stealth. *Shadows* offers the best swordplay *Assassin’s Creed* has seen in over a decade, with purposeful strikes and a variety of techniques, from brutal rushes to satisfying ripostes. The combat is visceral, with finishing moves that starkly contrast Naoe's stealthy approach.

The separation of combat and stealth into distinct characters in *Shadows* prevents the blending of styles seen in previous games like *Origins*, *Odyssey*, and *Valhalla*. Naoe's fragility necessitates strategic retreats and resets, maintaining the tension of stealth gameplay. In contrast, Yasuke’s strength allows him to engage directly in combat, offering a thrilling alternative when you want to break from stealth.

Yasuke's design is intentional, yet his fit within the *Assassin’s Creed* framework remains contentious. While protagonists like Bayek and Eivor ventured into action territory, they retained core *Assassin’s Creed* abilities. Yasuke's inability to climb freely and perform stealthy kills makes it challenging to engage with the game in its traditional sense.

The real challenge Yasuke faces is the presence of Naoe, who is mechanically the superior protagonist. Her stealth toolkit, combined with the verticality of Sengoku Period Japan, fulfills the *Assassin’s Creed* promise of being a highly mobile silent killer. Naoe also benefits from the same realistic climbing mechanics that shape Yasuke’s experience, allowing for faster and more strategic movement.

Naoe's combat is just as impactful as Yasuke's, albeit with less endurance. This raises the question: why play as Yasuke when Naoe offers a more complete *Assassin’s Creed* experience?

Ubisoft's attempt to provide two distinct playstyles with Yasuke and Naoe is ambitious but creates a double-edged sword. Yasuke offers a unique and compelling experience, diverging from the series' norms. Yet, his design fundamentally opposes the core principles of *Assassin’s Creed*. While I'll return to Yasuke for his combat thrill, it's through Naoe that I'll truly explore and enjoy the world of *Shadows*—because playing as Naoe feels like playing *Assassin’s Creed*.