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, a choice that has generated pre-release discussion.
Concerns arose that focusing on one character might lead to missing crucial plot points or gameplay. Creative Director Jonathan Dumont addressed these concerns, describing his own balanced approach: He alternates between characters, dedicating roughly 3-5 hours to one before switching to the other for 2-3 hours.
However, Dumont emphasizes that prioritizing one character won't hinder the overall experience. While each protagonist boasts unique opening sequences and personal storylines, the game dynamically adapts to the player's choice. He encourages players to play as their preferred character:
"I don't believe you'll miss out on much. It really depends on your play style. You could experiment and see how the game adjusts based on your character selection. Each hero has distinct introductions and dedicated missions, but the core gameplay remains flexible and adapts to your chosen hero."