Summary
- Naoe, a nimble ninja in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, excels in stealth and is easier control than Yasuke.
- Naoe’s ability to assassinate effortlessly in the game sets her apart, making her a deadly and thrilling character.
- Eagle Vision gives Naoe a significant advantage over Yasuke, allowing for easier stealth and enemy identification in the game.
Assassin’s Creed fans have been waiting for a game set in Japan since the series began in 2007. It just makes sense to frame a game around ninjas, since they were assassins who hid in the shadows instead of brazenly wearing white robes like earlier Assassin’s Creed characters, including Altair and Ezio.
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Naoe is a ninja/assassin-in-training in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, but she is not alone. She’s accompanied by a samurai, Yasuke, hailing from a faraway land that is dived into more deeply as the story progresses. Both characters play very differently, and some will prefer Naoe over Yasuke. Let’s go into the ways Naoe is the better protagonist.
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Quick And Sneaky
From Climbing To Going Prone
Naoe is a more nimble character than Yasuke. She’s easier to control, unlike Yasuke, who plays closer to old-school tank controls from games like Resident Evil. As a ninja, Naoe can hide in bushes by crouching down, or even going prone with ease.
This makes Assassin’s Creed Shadows a better stealth game, as sneaking into areas a lot easier. While Yasuke can be sneaky, it’s like watching a moose hide in a ball pit, which means he will be spotted nine times out of ten, night or day. When it comes to combat, Naoe’s roll is better too, whereas Yasuke just sort of sidesteps attacks. It’s a better idea to dodge and roll away from enemies than to block or parry with Naoe, as her health is not as robust as Yaskue’s.
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The Power Of Assassinations
Playing Assassin’s Creed Like It Was Meant To Be Played
Being good at stealth means Naoe can kill enemies without batting an eye. This is an Assassin’s Creed game after all, and assassination is in the name. Who wants to play as an Assassin’s Creed character who cannot use a Hidden Blade to take someone down?
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Whether players sneak up behind an enemy or strike from above, pulling off the perfect kill is always thrilling. Once players unlock Double Assassinate for Naoe in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, these assassinations will become even cooler. That’s not to say Yasuke can’t get some good kills in either, like with limb or head dismemberment, but Naoe just makes things look so easy.
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Eagle Vision
Assassins typically come equipped with Eagle Vision in the Assassin’s Creed games, giving players an extrasensory ability to seek out enemies via their glowing red bodies. Assassin’s Creed was one of the first games to include an ability like this, which was quickly followed by Batman: Arkham Asylum’s Detective Vision. Players can also tag enemies without Eagle Vision, and that, unfortunately, is the only way Yasuke can do it.
He lacks Eagle Vision, which might be a first for a major playable character in Assassin’s Creed. With both abilities, Naoe has the advantage when it comes to storming castles in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Being able to see through walls to find treasure or to tag bigger enemies like Daisho is a big deal. The lasting red effect of Eagle Vision can make it easier to kill enemies through paper doors too, another benefit in Naoe’s corner.
From Grappling Hooks To Smoke Bombs
Speaking of Batman and his various Arkham entries, Naoe is armed to the teeth with various ninja gadgets. She has a grappling hook that can help her propel up large towers or castle walls. It makes it easy to get to Viewpoints in Assassin’s Creed Shadows along with getting Naoe to safety above crowds of soldiers.
She can throw Kunai or Shuriken to kill or at least harm enemies from a distance. She can toss out bells to lure enemies away from an area or a smoke bomb to help her make her escape. All of these tools make Naoe the “Batman of Japan,” and Yasuke really lacks any equivalent gadgetry. He does make up for it in weaponry though, and even Naoe fans cannot deny that he has the better arsenal.
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Naoe’s Story
An Investment As An Igan
Naoe is a native of Japan, and most entries in the Assassin’s Creed series typically focus on characters from the region in which the game takes place. It just makes sense for any game, unless there is a big reason to have an outsider be the hero. Assassin’s Creed Shadows definitely makes its case for Yasuke being a valuable narrative character by the end, but Naoe’s plight does trump any highlights Yasuke has.
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Naoe belonged to a small clan of ninjas, the Igans, which Lord Nobunaga saw fit to destroy. He not only killed ninja warriors, but innocents as well. Naoe isn’t just mad about her people though, as she cares for all who died during Lord Nobunaga’s tyrannical efforts to unite Japan through destruction. The death of her father and people make Naoe’s tale of revenge something players can understand even if her aggression can be a bit much sometimes.
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Her Armor Looks Cool
Who Says Ninjas Can’t Look Fly?
Looks aren’t everything, but it’s easy to make Naoe look like a badass ninja with her various outfits. Sometimes the hats, headbands, and hoods can make her look goofy, but like most RPGs, headgear can be hidden while still maintaining its stat benefits. Clothes can also be removed to showcase Naoe in her undergarments, but the same can be done with Yasuke, so there is gender equality when it comes to underwear-based fan service in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
When picking out body armor for Naoe, players can eventually transmogrify any piece after rescuing Heiji, a blacksmith, in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. While some may prefer the bulky look of Yasuke in his giant armor, others may think he stands out like a sore thumb, adding to another reason why he is so hard to control. Naoe has no such issues, and looks right at home amid the Japanese landscapes.
- Released
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March 20, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language