Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Yasuke and Naoe’s Combat System Deconstructed

The year is coming to a close. All major titles have been released, and The Game Awards are preparing backstage to honor the best games of 2024. Ubisoft has chosen this moment to bring attention back to Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It is important to note that the game was delayed for several months shortly after the Tokyo Game Show, which the French publisher deliberately avoided due to concerns about negative feedback from players and Japanese media. Officially, this calendar adjustment was made to address as many bugs as possible, ensuring a polished release of the game.

After several months without updates, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage has released an extensive message on its official blog detailing aspects of its combat system mechanics. As previously announced, the game will include two playable characters: Yasuke and Naoe. Yasuke focuses on raw strength, whereas Naoe emphasizes stealth; however, both share common features like light and heavy attacks. Light attacks are swift, fluid, and dependable, dealing minor damage but potentially being avoided by certain enemy types who can counterattack from behind. Heavy attacks deal substantial damage to enemies and are effective for destabilizing foes and creating distance between you and them. Additionally, stance attacks occur when any attack button is held down, resulting in more powerful strikes capable of instantly breaking an opponent’s guard. It is important to note that enemies will react to stance attacks by attempting to disrupt their execution. Combining light, heavy, and stance attacks offers the most effective approach for creating varied and complex combos.

In certain circumstances, such as a successful parry, an opponent may enter a vulnerable state—a brief period during which they can be inflicted with significant damage. This moment of vulnerability presents the ideal chance to counterattack by initiating a stance attack or activating a special ability to maximize damage output. Both Naoe and Yasuke have distinct defensive strategies at their disposal. These include parrying and employing directional dodges to evade incoming attacks. Naoe’s dodges are characterized by directional rolls, whereas Yasuke uses directional steps that maintain his upright position throughout the maneuver. Despite both characters being highly reactive in combat, Yasuke experiences a slight recovery period after performing consecutive directional dodges, which is not present in Naoe’s movement pattern.

Yasuke and Naoe both utilize similar mechanisms under the categories of parade and dodge, yet their specific outcomes differ. Yasuke’s parade technique operates along a straight path: once a successful parry is executed, the opponent recoils, thereby opening up opportunities for counterattacks. Essentially, Yasuke maintains position without retreating or conceding ground. On the other hand, Naoe’s dodge mechanism necessitates precise timing as well, but instead of moving forward, it involves pivoting around the enemy to deflect their strikes away. This maneuver shifts the combat dynamic, exposing the opponent’s flanks; however, it also leaves Naoe susceptible to attacks from nearby adversaries, thus demanding continuous awareness and caution.

The blocking mechanic is unique to Yasuke and allows him to crouch behind his weapon to resist attacks, including incoming arrows or kunai, though it does not protect against unblockable attacks, which are detailed further below. Throughout your journey, skills and abilities can be acquired and learned, expanding your combat repertoire. These include active skills manually triggered during combat for increased damage, variations and extensions of combos, and new mechanics that require precise timing and tactical approaches. These additions will be crucial for surprising enemies and contribute to a continuous sense of growth in your mastery of combat as you progress.

The release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is anticipated for February 14, 2025 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.Ubisoft announced the reintroduction of Assassin’s Creed Shadows at The Game Awards following its unexpected withdrawal from the Tokyo Game Show due to necessary bug fixes prompted by player and Japanese criticism over offensive content. The game features two protagonists: Yasuke, who is focused on strength, and Naoe, emphasizing stealth. Both characters are capable of executing light and heavy attacks as well as stance attacks for more powerful moves. Combining these attack types allows players to create diverse combos. Players can exploit enemy vulnerabilities during specific actions to deliver devastating counterattacks using either stance or abilities. Yasuke and Naoe each have unique defensive options, including parrying, directional dodges (Yasuke’s upright steps versus Naoe’s rolling agility), and a special blocking ability for Yasuke that allows him to withstand attacks like arrows behind his weapon. Throughout the game, players can unlock new skills and abilities, enhancing their combat options and deepening tactical depth and character progression. The distinct playstyles of Yasuke and Naoe provide varied combat experiences while sharing fundamental parade/dodge mechanics with different outcomes.

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Marcus Thompson

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