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

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces two compelling protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke, but the game keeps players guessing about when they can switch between them. Here's a detailed guide on when and how you can control each character in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

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

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a vast open world, the game starts with a linear prologue lasting about 90 minutes. During this time, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke at set moments. After completing the prologue, you'll be locked into playing as Naoe for several hours.

For those eager to dive into the Samurai experience, you'll need to wait until nearly the end of the game's first act. The initial gameplay focuses entirely on Naoe, with Yasuke absent until the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He then becomes playable for the Fire and Lightning Quest. Once you complete this quest and Act I, you'll gain the freedom to switch between the two characters more freely.

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

In my playthrough, reaching the end of Act I and unlocking the ability to freely switch between protagonists took about 10 hours. This included engaging in various side content. If you focus solely on the main storyline, you could reach this point in approximately 6 to 8 hours.

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

Once you unlock the ability to play as either Naoe or Yasuke freely, switching between them becomes straightforward. You can switch by fast traveling to a location on the map. When hovering over a fast travel point, you'll see two options: one to fast travel as your current character, and another to switch to the other protagonist. Selecting the latter will spawn you as the alternate character at your chosen location, whether it's a Synchronization point or a Kakurega Hideout.

Additionally, certain story quests allow you to choose 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

After Act I, Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers ample freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke in its open world. However, specific story moments and major quests will lock you into playing as one character for certain scenes and quests.

It's also important to note that there are character-specific quests and activities. Both Naoe and Yasuke have unique quests that delve into their backstories before they met, featuring only one character. Some side activities are also exclusive to each protagonist, marked by a Samurai helmet for Yasuke and a Shinobi’s hood for Naoe.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on March 20th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.