Shadows represents Assassin's Creed at its most rewarding in years, with gameplay refocused on the franchise's core identity. The revitalized parkour system – the smoothest since Unity – lets you effortlessly transition from streets to rooftops. A new grappling hook mechanic adds exhilarating vertical mobility. From a tightrope vantage point, you're moments away from executing a flawless assassination... assuming you're playing as Naoe. Switch to Yasuke, Shadows' second protagonist, and the experience transforms completely.
Contrasting Playstyles
Yasuke defies all Assassin's Creed conventions – he moves deliberately, struggles with climbing, and can't perform silent takedowns. At first glance, this seems like a bizarre design choice, but gradually reveals itself as one of Ubisoft's most intriguing innovations. Playing as Yasuke doesn't feel like traditional Assassin's Creed – and that's exactly the point.
After spending initial hours mastering Naoe's graceful stealth techniques, transitioning to Yasuke proves jarring. This hulking samurai can barely manage basic climbing, requiring scaffolding and ladders for vertical navigation. Where Naoe fluidly scales buildings, Yasuke moves laboriously – if he can climb at all.
Reinventing Core Mechanics
This constrained mobility naturally keeps Yasuke grounded, limiting his ability to scope out enemy positions. Without access to Eagle Vision or silent kills, he embodies raw power rather than subtlety. His "Brutal Assassination" technique is anything but stealthy – it's a dramatic combat opener that usually triggers alarms.
When battles erupt, Yasuke shines with the most refined melee combat the series has ever offered. Every sword swing carries weight, from devastating rush attacks to precise ripostes. Execution animations showcase the stark contrast between his brutal style and Naoe's surgical precision.
Dual Identity Dilemma
While Yasuke's design is deliberate, it creates an identity crisis. Assassin's Creed was built on verticality and stealth – concepts Yasuke fundamentally rejects. Though his combat is exceptional, many will prefer Naoe's classic assassin gameplay.
Naoe benefits from Japan's perfect parkour architecture and the most polished stealth mechanics in years. She retains Yasuke's improved swordplay (though with lower durability), making her nearly always the preferable choice. The dual protagonist system successfully separates stealth and combat, but raises questions about Yasuke's necessity.
Ultimately, Shadows delivers both the purest Assassin's Creed experience in ages through Naoe, and a fascinating experiment in Yasuke. While his inclusion may prove divisive, he forces players to reconsider what Assassin's Creed can be – even if the series' traditional strengths remain most compelling.
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