Assassin's Creed Shadows: A Tale of Two Protagonists

Assassin's Creed Shadows is out, and the choice between Yasuke or Naoe for the bulk of the experience is one that will clearly divide opinions. While both protagonists have their strengths and weaknesses, it's clear that Ubisoft has made a misstep in creating such an uneven playing field.

In this review, we'll delve into the world of Shadows and explore why Yasuke feels like half a character compared to Naoe. We'll examine the gameplay mechanics, narrative arc, and overall design of the game, and how they contribute to the disparity between our two protagonists.

The Problem with Yasuke

Yasuke's gameplay model is marred by its lack of subtlety and finesse. When you play as him, it feels like you're just smashing your way through situations rather than using strategy and stealth to overcome obstacles. This is particularly jarring when compared to Naoe, whose gameplay model is all about elegance, wit, and cunning.

But Yasuke's problems go beyond his gameplay mechanics. His narrative arc is truncated and unfulfilling, with much of his story taking place offscreen or in truncated flashbacks. This feels like a missed opportunity to fully develop one of the most interesting protagonists in the Assassin's Creed series.

The Pros and Cons of Naoe

Naoe, on the other hand, is a completely different story. Her gameplay model is well-balanced and engaging, with a natural rise and fall that keeps you on your toes. When you screw up, you're forced into a combat situation you're not optimized for, which raises the stakes and creates tension.

But Naoe's greatest strength may also be her greatest weakness: she's too good at everything. She excels at stealth, combat, and exploration, making it difficult to find a playstyle that stands out from the crowd. This lack of contrast between Yasuke and Naoe makes their dual protagonist setup feel less interesting than it could have been.

A Missed Opportunity

So what went wrong? In our opinion, Ubisoft had the chance to create two completely different protagonists with unique strengths and weaknesses. Instead, they opted for a more binary approach that feels like a cop-out.

We'd love to see both characters focused on stealth (where the series is clearly more comfortable), and dividing their methods accordingly. Maybe ranged versus melee, or social stealth and disguises versus actual sneaking. The possibilities are endless, but Ubisoft's execution falls short.

The Verdict

Assassin's Creed Shadows is a game with potential, but it's ultimately brought down by its uneven protagonist setup. Yasuke feels like half a character compared to Naoe, and the gameplay mechanics and narrative arc don't do him justice.

If you're a fan of the series, we'd recommend waiting for a patch or two that addresses some of these issues. But if you're new to Assassin's Creed, you may want to start with one of the other games in the series rather than this one.

Ultimately, Ubisoft has a chance to redeem themselves with Shadows. We just hope they take the opportunity to revisit and improve upon their design choices.