Summary
WithAssassin’s Creed Shadowsfinally taking players to feudal Japan, that means there is an opportunity for its narrative to delve into the samurai code of honor, bushido. This is something that another game thatAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas often been compared to,Ghost of Tsushima, examines thoroughly, as its own protagonist, Jin Sakai, wrestles with the weight of responsibility in the shadow of his commitment to the honor of a samurai. As it turns out, one ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows' two protagonistshas somewhat of a similar journey, allowing the overarching narrative to explore what it means to be a samurai in 16th-century Japan.
OfAssassin’s Creed Shadows' two new protagonists, Yasuke is the samurai, and as a samurai, Yasuke is therefore bound to the traditional samurai code. His adherence to that code of honor is expressed in his combat style, which favors direct confrontation over silent assassination. Ultimately, this allows for some interesting dynamics between him and his newfound partner, Naoe, a shinobi who prefers sticking to the shadows and eliminating her opponents by stabbing them in the back. It also presents Yasuke with plenty of moral dilemmas to test his loyalty to samurai principles.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Exploration of Samurai Honor
Yasuke’s Combat Style Is Reflective of Samurai Code
One ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows' most defining features is its dual protagonists, both of which offer unique playstyles. Naoe is a shinobi assassin who strikes from the shadows, but Yasuke is a samurai and therefore approaches his battles much differently. According to traditional samurai code, samurai are expected to act with honor on the battlefield, and that means confronting opponents head-on, looking their enemies in the eyes as they strike. This is precisely howYasuke’s playstyle is designed inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, allowing the game to passively showcase bushido in action.
Players can switch between Yasuke and Naoe seamlessly, allowing them to adapt their playstyle to whatever situation they’re facing inAssassin’s Creed Shadows.
Yasuke is less proficient in parkour, climbing, and stealth compared toNaoe inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, but what he lacks in those areas, he makes up for in raw power and brutality. Yasuke excels in open combat, preferring to confront his enemies openly rather than from the cover of dark. This is not only reflective of samurai code, but it is also akin toAssassin’s Creed’s more recent entries, likeAssassin’s Creed ValhallaandAssassin’s Creed Odyssey, where open combat was more strongly encouraged than strategic stealth gameplay.
Yasuke Faces Moral Dilemmas That Test His Adherence to Samurai Principles
Apart from what can be seen in his playstyle,Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Yasukefaces many moral dilemmas that test his adherence to samurai principles and thereby allow the game to explore the demands of bushido more thoroughly. Firstly Yasuke’s loyalty to Nobunaga is tested when he learns of the daimyo’s campaign against the Iga clan, which includes the massacre of innocents. This, in turn, forces Yasuke to confront the conflict between his duty to his lord and his own moral compass, questioning whether adherence to the samurai code is the same as true honor.
Yasuke excels in open combat, preferring to confront his enemies openly rather than from the cover of dark.
Bushido also attempts to set rifts betweenYasuke and Naoe inAssassin’s Creed Shadows' story, as his commitment to samurai honor causes him to question whether he should align with a shinobi such as Naoe. The samurai code is traditionally suspicious of shinobi and considers their methods dishonorable. Yasuke’s partnership with Naoe, therefore, urges him to reexamine these prejudices and evaluate whether the ends can justify the means. Finally, Yasuke’s pursuit of the Shinbakufu blurs the lines between honor and revenge at times, raising questions about the righteousness of his cause and once again highlighting what it means to be a samurai.
