Assassin’s Creed Shadows introduces an exciting dual-protagonist system featuring the Shinobi Naoe and the Samurai Yasuke. If you're eager to understand when and how you can switch between these two compelling characters, here's a detailed guide.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Intro is Heavy on Naoe

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows boasts a vast open world, the game's prologue is quite linear. You'll spend about 90 minutes switching between Naoe and Yasuke during set moments. After completing the prologue, you'll be locked into playing as Naoe for several hours.

If you're itching to embody the Samurai Yasuke right away, you'll need to be patient. 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, which marks the end of Act I. Once you complete this quest and Act I, you'll gain the freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke much more easily.

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. However, I indulged in plenty of side content. If you're eager to experience the dual protagonists sooner, you can likely reach this point in about 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 freely play as either Naoe or Yasuke, switching between them is straightforward. You can switch by fast traveling to a location. When selecting a fast travel point 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 that location. This feature works at various points across the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.

Additionally, some story quests will allow you to choose which protagonist to play as when presented to Yasuke as Naoe.

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

After Act I, you'll enjoy considerable freedom in choosing your preferred protagonist in the open world. However, certain story-driven moments and major quests will lock you into playing as either Naoe or Yasuke for specific scenes.

It's also important to note that there are character-specific quests and activities. Both Naoe and Yasuke have their own quests delving into their backstories before they met, which are exclusive to each character. Some side activities are also designated for either Naoe or Yasuke, marked by a Samurai helmet for Yasuke and a Shinobi’s hood for Naoe.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on March 20th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.