Who is Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows?

Now that we officially have a title for the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows, formerly Assassin’s Creed Red, let’s dive into the main protagonist. Yasuke, a formerly enslaved person and now renowned samurai, takes center stage in the upcoming open-world adventure. But his story could use a little time in the light, so let’s learn more about this unique character in the game’s world!

Yasuke, a real-life samurai, underwent a significant rewrite for the story of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In the game, he’ll supposedly play the role of a slave traveling across the ocean via a slave ship when an unknown force suddenly attacks it. In the heat of battle, everyone, including the man’s lover, is slain in battle. Everyone except for Yasuke, who is rescued and transported to Japan. There, he learns how to become a samurai under the tutelage of the famous Nobunaga.

In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Yasuke will inevitably ally with Naoe in an effort to oversee Japan’s unification.

Yes! You will play as both Yasuke, the samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi. Yasuke is likely to be more of a frontline fighter—a focus on combat. Alternatively, Naoe likely allows for more stealth-oriented gameplay, as in past Assassin’s Creed titles. As a shinobi—a ninja—she’ll skulk in the shadows and attack from above.

While indeed not the first female protagonist in the franchise—see Kassandra in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey or Eivor in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla—it will be the first time the female protagonist provided a completely different playstyle from the male counterpart. It’s also not a singular character, like in past games, just the female version of the male. Naoe is a unique character alongside Yasuke!

We’re beyond excited for the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows at Insider Gaming. In the meantime, we have other coverage you may find interesting:

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