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, but the specifics of when and how players can switch between them have been somewhat unclear. Here’s a detailed breakdown of when you can switch between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a vast open-world experience, the game's prologue is more linear. In this initial 90-minute segment, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke during specific moments. However, once the prologue concludes, players remain locked as Naoe for several hours.

For those eager to embrace the Samurai role of Yasuke right away, there's a wait ahead. The early game focuses solely on Naoe, with Yasuke not appearing until the Temple of the Horseman Quest, near the end of Act I. Yasuke becomes playable during the Fire and Lightning Quest, and after completing Act I, players gain the freedom to switch between the two characters more fluidly.

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 switch between protagonists took around 10 hours. This duration included engaging in numerous side activities. For those looking to expedite their journey to this point, it's possible to reach the end of Act I in about 6 to 8 hours.

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

Once players unlock the ability to switch freely between Naoe and Yasuke, the process is straightforward. One method is through fast travel. When selecting a fast travel location on the map, players will see two button prompts: one to fast travel normally, and another to fast travel as the other protagonist. By choosing the latter, players will switch characters at the desired fast travel point, which can be anything from Synchronization points to Kakurega Hideouts.

Additionally, during certain story quests, players will have the option to choose which protagonist to play as, further enhancing the flexibility of character switching.

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

In the expansive world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players enjoy significant freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke after completing Act I. 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, and these are exclusive to each character. Additionally, certain side activities are designated for either Naoe or Yasuke, marked by 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, offering players a rich and immersive experience with its dual protagonists.