Assassin’s Creed Shadows – Choosing Between Naoe and Yasuke: Which Character to Play?

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Deep Dive into Playable Characters

The latest installment of the Assassin’s Creed series, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, introduces a remarkable twist with its diverse playable characters. While previous titles have included multiple protagonists, none have showcased as distinct and contrasting skill sets as Naoe and Yasuke. Their unique capabilities significantly influence how players navigate the game’s myriad challenges.

Naoe: The Agile Assassin

Naoe epitomizes the classic Assassin’s Creed gameplay, embodying stealth and agility. As a shinobi from Iga, she is the fastest character available, showcasing unparalleled climbing abilities, enhanced by her exclusive grappling hook. This tool, combined with an arsenal suited for infiltration—like kunai for long-range attacks and smoke bombs for evasion—makes her a master of stealth. Although Naoe can hold her ground in combat, her low health requires players to execute strategies flawlessly to ensure survival, especially at the higher Expert difficulty level.

Yasuke: The Brawler of Shadows

Conversely, Yasuke presents a radically different playstyle, focusing on raw combat prowess. With formidable health, players can engage enemies more aggressively, allowing for mistakes without immediate consequence. His combat options are diverse, featuring three melee and two ranged weapons, supplemented by a robust Adrenaline supply that facilitates powerful skills usage. By progressing through the skill trees tied to each weapon, Yasuke transforms into a formidable force, capable of confronting multiple adversaries simultaneously, particularly with a naginata in hand. However, his substantial strength comes at the cost of agility—Yasuke is significantly slower, making traditional parkour tactics less feasible. He targets foes head-on, reflecting the direct combat mentality highlighted in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, while also maintaining stealth opportunities using ranged weaponry.

Choosing Your Playstyle

This leads to an intriguing question: which character should you primarily play as in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Ultimately, the answer hinges on your personal gameplay preference. Opting for Naoe ensures a tried-and-true Assassin’s Creed stealth experience, emphasizing covert actions and silent takedowns. However, her vulnerability necessitates careful planning to avert confrontation. In contrast, Yasuke allows for a more aggressive strategy: charging into enemy camps and effortlessly dispatching foes, making the campaign progress at a quicker pace while also expediting the acquisition of powerful Legendary gear.

Regardless of your choice, it’s important to note that every quest in Assassin’s Creed Shadows can be tackled successfully at normal difficulty. Players should explore both characters and select the one that resonates most with their playstyle while remaining open to utilizing the other when specific missions demand it.

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