Switch Between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows: When?

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces two compelling protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke, but the game's structure around switching between them has been somewhat unclear. 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

While *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* offers a vast open world, the game starts with a linear prologue that lasts about 90 minutes. During this time, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke at specific moments. After completing the prologue, you'll be locked into playing as Naoe for several hours.

For those eager to dive into the Samurai experience with Yasuke, you'll need to wait until nearly the end of the game's first act. The early game focuses entirely on Naoe, with Yasuke making his first playable appearance during the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He becomes the sole playable character for the Fire and Lightning Quest. Once you complete this quest and Act I, you'll gain the freedom to switch between the two characters more freely.

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

In my playthrough, it took about 10 hours to reach the end of Act I and unlock the ability to switch between protagonists freely. This duration included a lot of side content. If you're looking to rush through the first act to experience the dual protagonists sooner, you might reach this point in about 6 to 8 hours.

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

Once you unlock the ability to play as both Naoe and Yasuke freely, switching between them is straightforward. One method is through fast travel. When selecting a fast travel location on the map, you'll see two options: one to fast travel as your current character and another to switch to the other protagonist at the chosen location. This feature works at various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.

Additionally, during certain story quests, you'll be given the option to choose which protagonist to play as when the quest is presented to Yasuke as Naoe.

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

After Act I, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* offers significant freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke in the open world. However, there are specific story moments and major quests where the protagonist is locked to ensure narrative coherence.

It's also important to note that there are character-specific quests and activities. Naoe and Yasuke each have unique quests that delve into their backstories before they met, which are exclusive to one character. Additionally, some side activities must be completed by either Naoe or Yasuke, indicated by specific symbols: a Samurai helmet for Yasuke and a Shinobi's hood for Naoe.

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* will be available on March 20th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.