Assassin's Creed Shadows: One Protagonist is Enough, Says Lead Developer
Concerns have arisen among fans regarding Assassin's Creed Shadows' dual protagonists: Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai. Some worried that focusing on a single character would lead to missing crucial story elements or gameplay.
Creative director Jonathan Dumont has allayed these fears. While acknowledging each protagonist boasts unique opening sequences and personal storylines, he confirmed a flexible narrative design. Dumont himself utilizes a balanced approach, switching between Naoe and Yasuke in roughly equal playtime: "I tend to switch between characters fairly evenly...3-5 hours with one, then 2-3 with the other."
However, he stresses that prioritizing one character won't significantly impact the overall experience: "I don’t believe you’ll miss out on a lot. It really comes down to your personal playstyle. The core experience is flexible. You can choose your favorite, and the narrative will adapt accordingly." Players are encouraged to play as their preferred character without fear of missing essential content.