Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed Shadows, an action-RPG set in Japan, is slated for release in March following multiple delays. The game will offer players two unique playstyles, emphasizing combat and exploration through its two main characters. Players who have a preference for a particular style can choose to focus on one protagonist for most of their game experience.
Choosing Protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Creative director Jonathan Dumont has assured players that opting to primarily use one character will not detract from the game’s content. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Dumont stated, “I don’t think you’re missing out on things too much. It’s really a matter of preference. You can see how the game adapts to your chosen character throughout the experience.”
The game presents dual protagonists: Yasuke, a formidable Samurai who favors direct confrontation, and Naoe, a stealthy Shinobi who excels in covert tactics. Each character comes equipped with unique skills and weapon abilities, offering varied gameplay experiences.
Dumont further explained that players will be introduced to each character through their own individual storylines—where players have to select one character over the other—but reiterated that players will not need to split their focus throughout the main narrative. Instead, they can choose to advance primarily with Yasuke or Naoe, with the game designed to adapt to their decisions.
“There will be some choices that might spark curiosity about what would happen with the other character, but you won’t miss key elements,” he noted.
“We are not forcing players to divide their time between the two. If you prefer one character, you can comfortably play a significant portion of the game with them,” Dumont added.
Release Delays for Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows marks the series’ first mainline release since 2020’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Set in 16th century Japan, the game was originally scheduled for launch in November 2024, but was pushed back to February 14, 2025. At the time, Ubisoft cited the need for additional time to refine the game. “This will enable the biggest entry in the franchise to fully realize its ambitions, particularly through our dual protagonist adventure, which offers two very distinct gameplay experiences,” the publisher explained in a September announcement.
Recently, Ubisoft announced a further delay, stating that the extra time would help the team better integrate player feedback received over recent months. The revised release date for Assassin’s Creed Shadows is now March 20, with availability on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
