Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces two compelling protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke, offering a dual narrative experience. However, the transition between controlling these characters has been a topic of curiosity leading up to the game's launch. Here’s a detailed guide on when and how you can switch between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe

Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a vast open world, the game starts with a more linear prologue lasting about 90 minutes. During this initial phase, players will switch between Naoe and Yasuke at predetermined points. However, once the prologue ends, the game locks you into playing as Naoe for several hours.

For those eager to embody Yasuke and live out their Samurai dreams right away, there's a wait. The early game focuses entirely on Naoe, with Yasuke not appearing until the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He becomes playable during the subsequent Fire and Lightning Quest. After completing this quest and Act I, players gain the freedom to switch between the two protagonists more freely.

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

In my playthrough, it took around 10 hours to reach the end of Act I and unlock the ability to freely switch between protagonists. This duration included a significant amount of side content. If players aim to progress quickly through the first act, they can likely reach this point within 6 to 8 hours.

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

Some cutscenes allow players to choose between playing as Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Once the ability to switch between Naoe and Yasuke is unlocked, the process is straightforward. Players can switch characters by fast traveling to a location on the map. When selecting a fast travel point, two options appear: one to fast travel as the current character, and another to switch to the other protagonist upon arrival. This feature is available at various locations, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.

Additionally, during certain story quests, players can choose which protagonist to play as when the quest is presented to the other character.

When Can’t You Switch Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Answered

In the expansive world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players enjoy considerable freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke post-Act I. However, specific story moments and major quests lock the playable character for particular scenes and missions.

It's important to note that there are character-specific quests and activities. Naoe and Yasuke each have unique quests delving into their backgrounds before they met, which only feature one character. Additionally, some side activities are exclusive to either Naoe or Yasuke, indicated by symbols: 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.