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

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces players to two compelling protagonists: the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke. As the game approaches its launch, many fans are eager to understand the mechanics of switching between these characters. Here’s a detailed guide on when and how you can switch between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe

The game starts with a linear prologue that lasts about 90 minutes. During this time, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke at specific moments. However, once the prologue is over, you'll be locked into playing as Naoe for several hours.

For those eager to dive into the Samurai experience right away, there's a wait ahead. Naoe remains the sole playable character until nearly the end of the game’s first act. Yasuke makes his first appearance as a playable character during the Temple of the Horseman Quest and becomes temporarily playable during the Fire and Lightning Quest. After completing these quests and Act I, you can switch between the two characters more freely.

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

In my playthrough, it took about 10 hours to reach the end of Act I and unlock the ability to freely switch between protagonists. This time included engaging in a lot of side content. If you're focused on the main storyline, you might reach this point in around 6 to 8 hours.

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

Once you've unlocked the ability to play as both Naoe and Yasuke freely, switching between them is straightforward. One method is through fast travel. When selecting a fast travel location on the map, you'll see two button prompts: one to fast travel and another to fast travel as the other protagonist. Selecting the latter will have you spawn at the chosen location as the other character. This option is available at various points across the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.

Additionally, during certain story quests, you may be given the choice of which protagonist to play as when the quest is presented to Yasuke as Naoe.

When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers considerable freedom to switch between protagonists post-Act I, there are specific story moments and major quests where the character is locked. This is particularly true for character-specific quests and activities that delve into the backstories of Naoe and Yasuke before they met. These quests are exclusive to one character and are marked with 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.