Should I Play as Yasuke or Naoe?

Short Answer

Assassin's Creed Shadows lets you experience its story through both Yasuke, a samurai built for direct combat, and Naoe, a shinobi designed around stealth and agility. The better choice depends on whether you prefer open conflict, careful infiltration, or a mix of both. You can switch between them at many points, so the decision is more about playstyle priority than a permanent commitment.

When It Makes Sense

  • Good fit: Choose Yasuke if you enjoy frontal combat, heavy melee attacks, and feeling like an armored warrior on the battlefield. His abilities lean toward overpowering enemies directly, which suits players who prefer action-oriented encounters over slow infiltration.
  • Good fit: Choose Naoe if you prefer classic Assassin’s Creed stealth, parkour, hidden-blade takedowns, and outmaneuvering enemies rather than fighting them head-on. Her toolkit supports cunning approaches, making her ideal for players who want to ghost through castles and camps undetected.

When You Should Avoid It

  • Warning sign: Avoid committing primarily to Yasuke if you strongly dislike noisy confrontations or struggling with detection-based objectives. Some missions reward subtlety, and Yasuke’s size and combat focus can make stealth feel less natural.
  • Warning sign: Avoid committing primarily to Naoe if you want to charge into large groups and win through brute strength. She is more fragile in open combat, and forcing direct fights can lead to frequent retries or frustration.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Distinct playstyles: Playing as Yasuke or Naoe gives you access to genuinely different combat and traversal mechanics, adding variety and replay value.
  • Story perspective: Each character offers a unique narrative lens on the world, which can make multiple playthroughs or chapter swaps feel fresh.

Cons

  • Skill split: Progression resources and abilities are divided between two characters, so focusing on one may leave the other underdeveloped when you are forced to use them.
  • Mission mismatch: Some objectives are clearly designed for stealth or combat, and using the wrong protagonist can make sections feel awkward or harder than intended.

Decision Checklist

  • Do I prefer frontal combat and powerful strikes, or stealth, agility, and silent takedowns?
  • Am I willing to switch characters when the story requires it, or do I want to specialize in one hero?
  • Will my enjoyment come more from challenge and immersion, or from efficiency and completing missions quickly?

Alternatives to Consider

The best alternative is often to play both characters, switching based on the mission at hand. Many players use Yasuke for combat-heavy story beats and fortress assaults, then switch to Naoe for infiltration and assassination contracts. If you are unsure, start with whichever style feels more natural, then experiment with the other during side content. You can also replay missions or use new game plus modes, if available, to experience the story from a different mechanical perspective.

Final Recommendation

Pick Yasuke if you want a warrior fantasy centered on direct combat, armor, and heavy attacks. Pick Naoe if you want a traditional shinobi experience built around stealth, parkour, and precision. If you enjoy both, alternate between them and match the character to each mission’s demands. Because this is a gameplay preference rather than a medical, legal, or financial decision, the safest choice is the one that matches your personal playstyle and the kind of fantasy you want to experience.

FAQ

Should I play as Yasuke or Naoe?

Choose Yasuke for a direct combat experience and Naoe for stealth and agility. If you enjoy both, switch between them depending on the mission.

What should I consider before picking Yasuke or Naoe?

Think about your preferred playstyle, whether you mind switching characters, and whether you want to specialize or keep both balanced for forced story sections.

References

  1. Ubisoft official Assassin's Creed Shadows gameplay previews and character guides
  2. IGN and GameSpot character breakdowns for Assassin's Creed Shadows

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