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

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces players to two distinct protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke, offering a dual narrative experience. However, the game's structure and timing for switching between these characters have 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.

Recommended Videos Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe

The expansive world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows starts with a linear prologue that lasts approximately 90 minutes. During this initial phase, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke at set intervals. Once the prologue concludes, the gameplay locks onto Naoe, requiring players to continue as her for several hours.

For those eager to embody the Samurai Yasuke right away, patience is key. Naoe remains the sole playable character until the near end of the game’s first act. The early stages focus entirely on Naoe's storyline, with Yasuke making his first playable appearance during the Temple of the Horseman Quest. Following this, he becomes the playable character for the Fire and Lightning Quest. After completing these quests and Act I, players gain the freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke more freely.

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

In my experience, reaching the end of Act I and unlocking the ability to freely swap between protagonists took about 10 hours. This duration included engaging with numerous side activities. However, if players aim to expedite their progression through the first act to fully experience the dual protagonists, this can be achieved in roughly 6 to 8 hours.

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

Once the ability to switch between Naoe and Yasuke is unlocked, doing so is straightforward. Players can switch protagonists by fast traveling to a location. When selecting a fast travel point on the map, two options appear: one to fast travel as the current character and another to fast travel as the alternate protagonist. Choosing the latter will spawn you at the selected location as the other character. This feature is available at various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.

Additionally, certain story quests allow players to choose which protagonist to play as when presented with a mission.

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 within its open world. However, specific story-driven scenes and major quests may lock players into one protagonist for narrative purposes.

It's important to note that there are character-specific quests and activities. Naoe and Yasuke each have unique quests that delve into their backgrounds before their paths crossed, featuring only one of the characters. Similarly, certain 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 will be available on March 20th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.