Assassin’s Creed Shadowsis finally here, delivering the long-overdue trip to feudal Japan that series fans have been begging for sinceAssassin’s Creed 2. While the new game is certainly a continuation of the modernAssassin’s Creedformula, adopting an action-RPG framework designed around open-world exploration, it implements a few worthwhile changes that alter the broader experience.
One such change isAssassin’s Creed Shadows' dual-protagonist structure. This isn’t the first time thatAssassin’s Creedhas done this—2015’sAssassin’s Creed Syndicateallows players to swap between siblings Jacob and Evie at will—but it’s certainly the first time the series has executed the concept on such an ambitious level.Shadows’two heroes are Naoe, a stealthy and cunning ninja, and Yasuke, a burly, destructive samurai. As one might expect, Naoe is much better suited to the arts of sneaking, climbing, and assassinating, while Yasuke is a bulldozer of death, plowing through groups of enemies with immense force and brutality. The obvious way to one-up this creative choice would be to further increase the number of playable characters in a future game, thereby facilitating more distinct playstyles, but this might work better on paper than in practice.
Future Assassin’s Creed Games Could Have More Protagonists, but Maybe They Shouldn’t
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Multiple Protagonists Are Already Contentious
In some ways,Assassin’s Creed Shadows' bifurcated gameplaystructure works just as intended: it offers two unique angles for combat and stealth, serving players with the fantasy of either a ninja or a samurai. It’s through this compartmentalization thatShadowsis able to deliver on the promise of a stealthy assassin while taking advantage of its setting, injecting an action-packed samurai fantasy for good measure.
It’s also possible that Ubisoft wanted to compete with games likeGhost of Tsushimaby including a samurai protagonist alongside a more stealth-oriented player-character.
At least, that’s howAssassin’s Creed Shadowsis supposed to work; in the eyes of many players, even those who enjoy the game as a whole, the multiple-protagonist formula is rather inelegantly executed. In essence, the world ofAC Shadowsfeels designed for Naoerather than Yasuke, whose heft and lack of grace obfuscate the game’s stealth and parkour mechanics. Naoe is both more fun to play as and more effective, leading many to prefer her gameplay over Yasuke’s. Since both characters are meant to be on equal footing, this is a problem.
In theory, this problem would only be exacerbated by adding yet another playable character to the pot. It could be challenging forUbisoft to create a worthwhile gameplay loopbuilt around a trio or more, as a future game might not have the integrity to support each character’s presumably unique playstyle. This is to say nothing of the narrative complications of such a large cast: any story can quickly become unwieldy with too many focal points or perspectives.
More Protagonists Could Allow Ubisoft to Right Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Wrongs
Assassin’s Creed Shadowsmight have struggled with multiple protagonists, but that doesn’t mean that such a concept is impossible. On the contrary, several high-profile games, includingbestsellers likeGTA 5, have implemented a multi-protagonist formula to great effect, so having two or more protagonists in a futureACgame isn’t an idea destined for failure. It could work, but it would require a careful, holistic approach to ensure a good gameplay and narrative balance.
In this way,a three-protagonistAssassin’s Creedgamecould redeem the series inAC Shadows’wake, proving that Ubisoft can get the formula right the second time around while outdoing itself. Of course, the franchise could also simply pivot back to its single-hero roots—it just depends on whether Ubisoft wants to continue experimenting with several playable characters.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
