Switching Between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows: When and How?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces two compelling protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke, offering players a unique dual narrative experience. However, the process of switching between these characters has been a point of curiosity for many fans. Here's a detailed guide on when and how you can switch between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe

Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows boasts a vast open world, the game's prologue is quite linear. Over the course of about 90 minutes, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke during set moments. After completing the prologue, you'll be locked into playing as Naoe for several hours.

For those eager to dive into the Samurai experience with Yasuke, you'll need to wait until nearly the end of the game's first act. The early game focuses entirely on Naoe, with Yasuke making his first playable appearance during the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He becomes the sole playable character for the Fire and Lightning Quest. Once you complete this quest and Act I, you'll gain the freedom to switch between the two protagonists more freely.

How Long Does it Take to Unlock Protagonist Switching in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

In my playthrough, it took about 10 hours to reach the end of Act I and unlock the ability to freely switch between protagonists. This duration included a significant amount of side content. If you're looking to rush through the first act to experience the dual protagonists sooner, you might achieve this in approximately 6 to 8 hours.

How to Switch Between Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Some cutscenes allow players to choose between playing as Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Once you've unlocked the ability to play as both Naoe and Yasuke freely, switching between them is straightforward. One method is through fast travel. When selecting a fast travel location on the map, you'll see two button prompts: one to fast travel as your current character, and another to switch to the other protagonist at the chosen location. This feature is available at various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.

Additionally, during certain story quests, you'll have the option to choose which protagonist to play as when the quest is presented to Yasuke as Naoe.

When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered

After Act I, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers considerable 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 to ensure narrative coherence.

It's also 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, featuring only one character at a time. Additionally, some side activities are exclusive to either Naoe or Yasuke, marked by distinct symbols—a Samurai helmet for Yasuke and a Shinobi’s hood for Naoe.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on March 20th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, promising an immersive experience with its dual protagonists.