Yasuke Availability in Assassin’s Creed Shadows: When Can You Play?

One of the standout features of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is the dual protagonist system, allowing players to experience the game as both Naoe and Yasuke. Initially, players will control Naoe, with access to Yasuke requiring some effort to unlock.

When is Yasuke Unlocked in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows?

To unlock Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, you’ll need to dedicate approximately seven hours of focused gameplay primarily on the storyline. For those engaging in a more leisurely exploration of the game, this duration may extend to about 10 to 12 hours.

If you prefer to avoid spoilers, you may want to skip the next paragraph, which discusses the specific story elements related to Yasuke’s unlocking:

Yasuke becomes available after Naoe defeats three members of the Onryo (also known as Shinbakufu) and accepts a mission to assassinate Oda Nobunaga. Following these pivotal events, Yasuke commits to Naoe’s cause, becoming a formidable ally.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Yasuke Naoe fighting first meeting — Screenshot by Twinfinite

How to Swap Between Yasuke and Naoe

Once Yasuke is unlocked, players can easily switch between him and Naoe, with a few restrictions: swaps are not allowed during combat or while under high alert. There are two primary methods to switch characters:

When utilizing fast travel, you can choose to travel as either Yasuke or Naoe.
Access the menu and navigate to the inventory screen, where you’ll find an option to switch characters at the bottom. Note that changing characters will cause a reload of the game world, placing you back in the same location.

Assassin's Creed Shadows swap between Yasuke and Naoe fast travel map — Screenshot by Twinfinite

Yasuke vs. Naoe: A Comparative Overview

In Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Naoe embodies the traditional assassin archetype, reminiscent of characters from earlier franchise entries. In contrast, Yasuke is portrayed as a heavier, more robust character, often described as a “bruiser.”His gameplay style focuses on the use of larger and ranged weapons, including the Bow and Teppo.

Key differences between the two characters include:

Yasuke lacks a hidden blade and has a slower movement speed.
Contrary to Naoe, Yasuke does not engage in parkour, which encourages a more confrontational play style instead of stealth.
His exploration capabilities are limited, making Naoe a preferable choice for traversing the game world efficiently.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Yasuke inventory screen with weapons, horse, and armor — Screenshot by Twinfinite

Moreover, Yasuke’s firearms require ammunition in the form of bullets and arrows, necessitating restocking after several uses. Unique to him are Mastery trees that are distinct from Naoe’s, ensuring that their progression is not interchangeable.

Assassin's Creed Shadows Yasuke mastery menu with different skills — Screenshot by Twinfinite

Unlike Naoe, Yasuke does not possess Eagle Vision or utilize shinobi tools such as the grappling hook, smoke bombs, or golden bells. He is also significantly louder when sneaking and can break delicate parkour ropes, impacting stealth approaches.

This concludes the essential information needed to unlock Yasuke and understand his unique skill set in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

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