Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Two New Heroes Redeem Syndicate’s Legacy

Assassin’s Creed Shadows comes into the spotlight with its exciting dual protagonists, launching a fresh and invigorating twist on previous models. Players can step into the shoes of Naoe, who is all about stealth, or Yasuke, a powerhouse samurai who barrels through with sheer might. While the franchise began flirting with dual characters back in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate—where gamers could switch between the Frye twins, Jacob and Evie—Assassin’s Creed Shadows breathes new life into this idea, leaving its predecessors’ strategies in the dust.

This latest installment marks the franchise’s return to dual protagonists after nearly a decade since Syndicate. However, the game stands out not by doubling the cast but by crafting a unique experience with Naoe and Yasuke. Where previous attempts fell short—largely because the characters could easily be swapped out without impacting gameplay—Shadows brings meaningful diversity. The game cleverly avoids requiring players to reset skill trees or switch up weaponry, maintaining the integrity of each character’s unique fighting style. It’s like Shadows has found a way to make up for Syndicate’s lackluster approach to distinguish its characters.

The former downfall of the Frye twins in Syndicate was their similarity. The game intended to offer contrasting playstyles: Evie for stealth and Jacob for direct combat. In reality, however, their abilities overlapped so much that players could stick to one character without sacrificing performance. Yet, even if their mechanics overlapped, the dynamics between Evie’s careful, strategic demeanor, and Jacob’s headstrong impulsiveness offered a blend of personalities that was memorable, if not mechanically distinct.

On the other hand, Assassin’s Creed Shadows turns the dial to eleven with Yasuke and Naoe, pushing their specialization to the extremes. If you’re in the mood for stealth, Naoe is your go-to with her nimble defiance of detection, yet drag her into open combat, and you’re in for a taxing challenge. Her build doesn’t favor combat strength, putting players’ reaction skills to the test if they wish to survive an unexpected skirmish. Yasuke, however, has the opposite problem—dominant in combat but much less effective in staying out of sight. He can bulldoze through enemies with relative ease, but sneaking around or retreating when things go sideways isn’t really in his skillset.

This dynamic, where neither character can fully substitute the other, means AC Shadows not only patches up its predecessor’s shortcomings but also sets a new standard. Sure, you might manage to play through with just one character, but expect to be met with obstacles that only a balanced use of both protagonists can truly conquer. It’s a compelling case for the series to keep evolving this dual-protagonist concept as it grows, hinting at ever more tantalizing possibilities as the franchise forges ahead.