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

*Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces players to two compelling protagonists, the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke. As anticipation builds for the game's launch, many are curious about when and how they can switch between these characters. Here's a detailed guide on switching 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 experience, the game's prologue is more linear. During this 90-minute introduction, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke at specific moments. Once the prologue is completed, however, players will be locked into playing as Naoe for several hours.

For those eager to experience the Samurai fantasy with Yasuke right away, there's a bit of a wait. You'll need to play as Naoe until nearly the end of the first act. The early game focuses exclusively on Naoe, with Yasuke making his first playable appearance during the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He remains playable for the Fire and Lightning Quest. After completing these quests and Act I, players can finally 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 freely switch between protagonists. This included time spent on side content. For those who want to get to the dual-protagonist experience quicker, it's possible to reach this point in approximately 6 to 8 hours by focusing on the main storyline.

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, players see two prompts: one for fast travel and another to switch to the other protagonist. Choosing the latter will transport you to the selected location as the alternate character. This feature works across various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.

Additionally, during certain story quests, players may have the option to choose which protagonist to control 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 the narrative unfolds as intended.

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, featuring only one character at a time. Certain side activities are also exclusive to each protagonist, marked by 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.