Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers an exciting dual-protagonist experience with Shinobi Naoe and Samurai Yasuke. However, the process of switching between these characters 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

Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Image via Ubisoft

While Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a vast open-world game, its beginning is quite linear. During the game's prologue, which lasts about 90 minutes, players will alternate between Naoe and Yasuke at set intervals. After completing the prologue, players remain locked as Naoe for several hours.

For those eager to dive into the Samurai experience, there's a wait. Players must continue as Naoe until nearly the end of the first act. The early game focuses entirely on her, with Yasuke making his first playable appearance during the Temple of the Horseman Quest. He then becomes the playable character for the Fire and Lightning Quest. Once Act I is completed, players gain the ability 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 freely switch between protagonists. This included a significant amount of side content. However, players aiming to rush through the first act to experience the dual protagonists fully might reach this point in around 6 to 8 hours.

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

Some cutscenes allow players to choose between playing as Yasuke and Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

Once the ability to play as both Naoe and Yasuke is unlocked, switching between them is straightforward. One method is through fast travel. When selecting a fast travel location on the map, players see two options: one to fast travel as the current character and another to fast travel as the other protagonist. Choosing the latter will spawn you at the selected location as the alternate character. This option is available at various points on the map, including Synchronization points and Kakurega Hideouts.

Additionally, during certain story quests, players can choose which protagonist to control when the quest is presented to both characters.

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

After Act I, players enjoy considerable freedom to switch between Naoe and Yasuke in the open world. However, specific story moments and major quests may lock the protagonist for certain scenes and quests.

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. Some side activities are also designated for either Naoe or Yasuke, marked by specific symbols—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.