Argument Against Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Dual Protagonists in Sequel

Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces an ambitious structure by letting players control two vastly different protagonists: the stealthy ninja Naoe and the powerful samurai Yasuke. This design provides flexibility in gameplay, with players choosing between calculated stealth and direct combat. While this diversity appears to be a win for player freedom, the structure has serious consequences when considering the future of the franchise.

The game effectively blends the old-school stealth roots of Assassin’s Creed with the open-combat style made popular during the RPG era. Naoe recalls the slower, methodical assassinations of Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, while Yasuke delivers the fast-paced, brawler experience seen in Odyssey or Valhalla. But offering both in one title also splits the identity of the game in two. As Ubisoft pushes toward the rumored nine games in six years, the dual structure in Assassin’s Creed Shadows could set a precedent that leaves neither playstyle fully explored.

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The Case for Assassin’s Creed Shadows to Make the Leap to Nintendo Switch 2

It’s been a long time since Nintendo users got to play a new Assassin’s Creed game, but that could all change with the Nintendo Switch 2.

Naoe and Yasuke Create Identity Confusion

At its core, Assassin’s Creed has always thrived when it knows exactly what it is. Assassin’s Creed 2 told Ezio’s story with clarity and focus, shaping a world around his skills and his philosophy. Similarly, Origins introduced the RPG formula with Bayek, whose design and story aligned with the gameplay shift. In contrast, Shadows asks players to switch between two different playstyles and philosophies, creating friction that disrupts the pacing of both characters’ arcs.

Naoe excels in vertical movement, smoke bomb distractions, and precise stealth kills. Her missions rely on infiltration and careful planning. Yasuke, meanwhile, brings brute force, disrupting enemies with loud strikes and devastating combos. Their styles are not just different; they are narratively at odds. One seeks to remain unseen, while the other welcomes confrontation. That division forces the story to accommodate two contradictory tones, preventing either from fully resonating.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Splits Its Audience

For long-time fans of Assassin’s Creed, Shadows initially felt like a return to form. Naoe’s design echoes the careful, tactical movements that defined the early games. But those hoping for an uninterrupted stealth experience must regularly pause to fight as Yasuke. Likewise, RPG fans who joined during Odyssey or Valhalla may feel burdened by missions that demand stealth precision. In trying to please both camps, Shadows risks alienating them instead.

The issue is not simply gameplay variety, but commitment. The Assassin’s Creed Ezio trilogy did not offer variety through different characters; it committed to Ezio’s identity and built its world around him. Shadows divides its attention, which risks weakening both experiences. If the franchise wants to reintroduce old-school stealth while still delivering RPG action, it may need to separate those visions into different games entirely.

The rumored Assassin’s Creed Hexe is expected to focus heavily on supernatural horror and may mark a return to a tighter, single-character narrative. This could provide balance if future titles specialize rather than generalize.

Future Assassin’s Creed Games Need Clear Direction

With a rumored roadmap that includes multiplayer titles like Invictus, remakes such as Black Flag, and mobile entries like Assassin’s Creed Jade, Ubisoft seems poised to offer a wide variety of Assassin’s Creed experiences. This is promising if the developer uses these projects to cater to specific fanbases instead of trying to fit everyone into one game.

A proper solution would involve giving future games more distinct identities. Let one title dive deep into stealth, while another emphasizes RPG elements. The franchise does not need every game to be everything. Assassin’s Creed Shadows tried to walk both paths, but in doing so, it may have exposed the limits of the dual protagonist structure.