Assassin's Creed Shadows' lead developer assures players that choosing a single protagonist won't significantly impact their experience. The game features two playable characters: Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai, whose inclusion has generated pre-release discussion.
Concerns arose that focusing on one character might lead to missed story elements or gameplay. Creative Director Jonathan Dumont addressed these concerns, describing his own balanced approach: He switches between Naoe and Yasuke, playing several hours with one before switching to the other.
However, Dumont emphasizes that players won't be significantly disadvantaged by favoring one character. While each protagonist boasts unique opening sequences and personal storylines, the game's narrative adapts to the player's choice. He encourages players to play as their preferred character:
"I don't think you'll miss much. It really depends on your play style. You could experiment and see how the game adjusts based on your character selection. Each character has their own unique introduction and dedicated missions, but the core experience is adaptable. Pick your favorite, and the story will follow suit."