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

Assassin's Creed: Shadows marks a thrilling return to the core elements that made the series so beloved, offering the most satisfying experience in years. The game's parkour system, reminiscent of the fluidity seen in Unity, allows players to seamlessly transition from ground to castle rooftops. The addition of a grappling hook further enhances the ability to swiftly reach strategic vantage points. When perched high above on a tightrope, a perfect assassination is just a drop away—assuming you're playing as Naoe, the game's agile shinobi protagonist. However, switching to Yasuke, the second protagonist, shifts the gameplay dramatically.

Yasuke presents a stark contrast to the traditional Assassin's Creed hero. He's slow, clumsy, and incapable of silent kills or swift climbing. His design feels like a departure from the series' norms, making him both a puzzling and intriguing character. Playing as Yasuke feels less like an Assassin's Creed game and more like a different genre entirely.

Initially, the significant differences between Yasuke's capabilities and the series' core philosophy felt frustrating. What's the purpose of an Assassin's Creed protagonist who struggles with climbing and can't perform silent takedowns? However, the more I played as him, the more I appreciated the unique challenges he brings. Yasuke, despite his limitations, addresses some critical issues the series has faced in recent years.

You don't get to control Yasuke until several hours into the campaign, after spending ample time with Naoe, the swift assassin who embodies the series' traditional gameplay. Transitioning to Yasuke can be jarring; his size and noise make sneaking through enemy camps nearly impossible, and his climbing ability is severely limited. He struggles with even basic vertical movement, requiring scaffolding or ladders to make progress. This design encourages staying at ground level, limiting his vision and ability to plan ahead, unlike Naoe who can rely on Eagle Vision.

Assassin's Creed has always been about stealthy kills and vertical exploration, elements that Yasuke directly opposes. Playing as him feels more like Ghost of Tsushima than Assassin's Creed, emphasizing combat over stealth. Yasuke forces players to rethink how they approach the game, challenging the series' traditional freedom of movement. His paths are more prescribed, requiring careful environmental observation to find hidden routes to objectives, which adds a layer of strategy absent in the effortless climbing of previous games.

While Yasuke's pathways are limited to essential areas, his combat prowess is unmatched. His "Brutal Assassination" skill, though loud and conspicuous, initiates combat with an instant kill, leading into the best swordplay the series has seen in over a decade. Each strike has purpose, and the variety of techniques, from rush attacks to ripostes, makes combat engaging and satisfying.

The separation of combat and stealth into two distinct characters prevents the blending of styles seen in recent titles like Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla. Naoe's fragility forces a return to stealth tactics when combat arises, while Yasuke's strength allows for direct confrontations. This dual-protagonist approach offers a refreshing balance, providing players with varied gameplay experiences.

Despite the clear intention behind Yasuke's design, his fit within the Assassin's Creed series remains questionable. The series is rooted in stealth and verticality, qualities that Yasuke lacks. Previous protagonists like Bayek and Eivor, while leaning more towards action, still adhered to the series' core mechanics. Yasuke, as a samurai rather than an assassin, struggles with these fundamentals, making it challenging to play Assassin's Creed in its traditional form while controlling him.

The real challenge for Yasuke is his counterpart, Naoe. She excels as an Assassin's Creed protagonist, her stealth capabilities perfectly complemented by the verticality of Sengoku Period Japan's architecture. Naoe embodies the essence of Assassin's Creed, offering a highly mobile and silent killing experience. Her design also benefits from the changes made for Yasuke, requiring more thoughtful climbing routes and utilizing the grappling hook effectively.

Naoe's combat is as impactful as Yasuke's, though less enduring, raising the question of why choose Yasuke over Naoe? Ubisoft's attempt to offer two distinct playstyles creates a double-edged sword. Yasuke's unique approach provides a compelling contrast to the series' norms, yet it also challenges the foundational elements that define Assassin's Creed. While I enjoy the thrill of Yasuke's combat, it's through Naoe's eyes that I truly immerse myself in the world of Shadows, feeling the essence of what Assassin's Creed is all about.