Assassin’s Creed Shadowsintroduces an ambitious structure by letting players control two vastly different protagonists: the stealthy ninja Naoe and the powerful samurai Yasuke. This design provides flexibility in gameplay, with players choosing between calculated stealth and direct combat. While this diversity appears to be a win for player freedom, the structure has serious consequences when considering the future of the franchise.
The game effectively blends the old-school stealth roots ofAssassin’s Creedwith the open-combat style made popular during the RPG era. Naoe recalls the slower, methodical assassinations ofAssassin’s Creed Brotherhood, while Yasuke delivers the fast-paced, brawler experience seen inOdysseyorValhalla. But offering both in one title also splits the identity of the game in two. As Ubisoft pushes toward the rumored nine games in six years, the dual structure inAssassin’s CreedShadowscould set a precedent that leaves neither playstyle fully explored.
Naoe and Yasuke Create Identity Confusion
At its core,Assassin’s Creedhas always thrived when it knows exactly what it is.Assassin’s Creed 2told Ezio’s storywith clarity and focus, shaping a world around his skills and his philosophy. Similarly,Originsintroduced the RPG formula with Bayek, whose design and story aligned with the gameplay shift. In contrast,Shadowsasks players to switch between two different playstyles and philosophies, creating friction that disrupts the pacing of both characters' arcs.
Naoe excels in vertical movement, smoke bomb distractions, and precise stealth kills. Her missions rely on infiltration and careful planning.Yasuke, meanwhile, brings brute force, disrupting enemieswith loud strikes and devastating combos. Their styles are not just different; they are narratively at odds. One seeks to remain unseen, while the other welcomes confrontation. That division forces the story to accommodate two contradictory tones, preventing either from fully resonating.
Ubisoft previously dabbled with dual protagonists inSyndicate, but even then, the Frye twins shared a similar skillset and narrative purpose.Shadowswidens the gap between playstyles more than any prior entry.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Splits Its Audience
For long-time fans ofAssassin’s Creed,Shadowsinitially felt like a return to form. Naoe’s design echoes the careful, tactical movements that defined the early games. But those hoping for an uninterrupted stealth experience must regularly pause to fight as Yasuke. Likewise, RPG fans who joined duringOdysseyorValhallamay feel burdened by missions that demand stealth precision. In trying to please both camps,Shadowsrisks alienating them instead.
The issue is not simply gameplay variety, but commitment. TheAssassin’s CreedEzio trilogydid not offer variety through different characters; it committed to Ezio’s identity and built its world around him.Shadowsdivides its attention, which risks weakening both experiences. If the franchise wants to reintroduce old-school stealth while still delivering RPG action, it may need to separate those visions into different games entirely.
TherumoredAssassin’s Creed Hexeis expected to focus heavily on supernatural horror and may mark a return to a tighter, single-character narrative. This could provide balance if future titles specialize rather than generalize.
Future Assassin’s Creed Games Need Clear Direction
With a rumored roadmap that includes multiplayer titles likeInvictus, remakes such asBlack Flag, andmobile entries likeAssassin’s CreedJade, Ubisoft seems poised to offer a wide variety ofAssassin’s Creedexperiences. This is promising if the developer uses these projects to cater to specific fanbases instead of trying to fit everyone into one game.
A proper solution would involve giving future games more distinct identities. Let one title dive deep into stealth, while another emphasizes RPG elements. The franchise does not need every game to be everything.Assassin’s Creed Shadowstried to walk both paths, but in doing so, it may have exposed the limits of the dual protagonist structure.
