It will be a while before the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima comes out, but Ubisoft has samurai fans covered with the release of their next mainline Assassin’s Creed game—AC Shadows.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches in a week, and a new cinematic trailer has been dropped showcasing new leads Naoe and the legendary black samurai Yasuke.
‘Justice is Forged in Shadows’
The game is set to launch on March 20, and the new cinematic focus is on the dual protagonists Yasuke and Naoe. Check this out:
While previous series mainly focused on playing an entirely fictional protagonist, Shadows does something new with the formula in that players get to play with two characters this time, and one of them is a real-life legendary warrior in the form of Yasuke.
Yasuke was a samurai who worked for Oda Nobunaga, a powerful warlord known as the Great Unifier in Feudal Japan. In the game, Naoe, an original character with connections to the Brotherhood, calls him to make up for the sins of his past, and players get to switch between them in-game depending on how they want to approach missions.
How is Gameplay Different for Both Characters?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers distinct playstyles for Yasuke and Naoe. Each character has specialties that allow them to perform different tasks during missions.
Yasuke is a formidable warrior and the apparent muscle of the pair. He can take multiple enemies head-on with a variety of weapons.
Naoe, on the other hand, is closer to the traditional assassin. She gets to do more stealth-focused missions, thanks to her ability to scale walls, perform silent takedowns, and use gadgets to distract enemies.
The game will offer various missions in which players assess a situation. They’ll have to choose whether to barge in head-on with Yasuke or take the quiet approach with Naoe.
How Else Does Shadows Shake Up The Formula?
Over the years, Assassin’s Creed games have evolved, but some common elements still have been known to make up the AC formula. Shadows is promising to shake that up a little.
Information is said to have become a key gameplay element. Players must use spies to discover side missions and Easter eggs around the map. The game promises to reward exploration, and players will be forced to visit locations to find out what they’re in for instead of being told exactly where specific missions are on the map.
Like previous series games, fans expect Shadows to present a massive open world. With Ubisoft's quality, they can also be sure that the visuals will not disappoint.
Here’s the official description for AC Shadows:
“Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos.
“Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny.
“Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customise your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.”
Assassin’s Creed Shadows launches for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on March 20.