Commentary: The Protagonist Of ‘Assassin’s Creed: Shadows’ Is A Refreshing Break
by Frank Martin
Assassin’s Creed has more or less always been played the same way. It’s a game built around stealth, so elements like parkour and sneaking around buildings have always been staples. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t feature straight-up combat, too. There’s plenty of fighting involved, utilizing some pretty complex combat mechanics. But the action has never been its main feature. So it is interesting that after so many years the franchise has decided to — at least partially — implement a more combat-oriented character in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. It’s not a complete departure from AC gameplay in the past, but it is a nice change of pace.
Yasuke (Tongayi Chirisa) is a character based on a real historical figure of an Black samurai in feudal Japan. After coming to the country as a slave, he’s eventually recruited to be a samurai, towering over the island’s other warriors. Although initially opposed to Naoe (Masumi Tsunoda), the game’s more traditional assassin character, the two find a bond over a mutual enemy. They then work together to bring this enemy down and set the country on a path towards peace.
Right from the start, the story sets up Yasuke as a completely different kind of assassin. He still works towards the assassin cause, but he’s not officially a member as he still adheres to his traditional samurai values of honor. But his uniqueness is much more than story related. Naoe represents the sleek and agile gameplay AC fans are used to. Yasuke doesn’t move nearly as fast, and it’s actually quite hard to climb with him. It’s even hilarious to watch him perform a terrible leap of faith. But when it comes to straightforward fighting, there’s no comparison. His combat abilities are superior. This kind of Assassin’s Creed protagonist, one that’s so different in terms of characterization and gameplay, is a refreshing break from tradition and was wisely implemented as an alternative rather than the norm.
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows is now available from Ubisoft.
