Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Naoe vs. Yasuke - Which character should you choose?

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 21, 2025, 22:41 IST

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Ubisoft's Assassin’s Creed Shadows will introduce players to feudal Japan with two characters, Naoe and Yasuke. Naoe specializes in stealth and agility, while Yasuke focuses on raw power and direct combat. Players can switch between both characters throughout the game to tailor their experience.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Naoe vs. Yasuke - Which character should you choose?

Image via Ubisoft

Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to take the gaming world by storm, bringing the franchise to feudal Japan for the first time. With its dual-protagonist system, players can step into the shoes of two vastly different warriors - Naoe, the stealthy shinobi, and Yasuke, the powerful samurai.
Unlike previous titles that primarily focused on one assassin, Shadows offers a choice between stealth and brute force, letting players tailor their gameplay experience. But which character is best suited for you? Let’s break it down.

Naoe: The Silent Assassin

For fans of the traditional Assassin’s Creed experience, Naoe embodies the classic stealth-based gameplay that the series is known for. As a shinobi, she relies on agility, deception, and quick assassinations rather than brute strength.

Naoe’s strengths

Stealth-focused combat - Specializes in eliminating enemies silently using assassination techniques.
Superior mobility - Parkour, wall climbing, and grappling hooks allow for quick getaways.
Gadget-based approach - Smoke bombs, kunai, and shuriken enhance her tactical advantage.
Eagle Sense - Helps track enemies and gather intelligence before striking.

However, Naoe struggles in direct combat. If enemies detect her, she lacks the defense and strength to hold her ground in prolonged fights, making precise execution crucial for survival.

Yasuke: The Fearless Samurai

On the other hand, Yasuke is for players who prefer raw power and direct confrontations. As a samurai, he can charge into battle, taking down enemies with sheer strength and resilience.

Yasuke’s strengths

Brute-force combat - Can take on multiple enemies at once with devastating strikes.
High durability - Withstands more damage, making him better suited for open combat.
Larger weapons - Uses katanas, naginatas, and kanabos to dominate battles.
No need for stealth - Unlike Naoe, Yasuke doesn’t have to worry about being detected.

However, Yasuke’s bulk and reliance on heavy armor make him slow and less mobile. He struggles with vertical movement, meaning no quick rooftop escapes or hidden infiltration routes.

Who should you choose?

Your decision ultimately depends on your playstyle.
Prefer stealth, parkour, and precision kills? Naoe is the way to go.
Like open combat and overpowering enemies? Yasuke is your best bet.
The good news? Assassin’s Creed Shadows allows players to switch between both characters, meaning you won’t be locked into one approach. Whether you choose to strike from the shadows or fight with honor, feudal Japan promises an unforgettable adventure when the game launches later this year.

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About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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