Summary
In the heart of ancient Japan, where cherry blossoms whisper secrets and honor clashes with treachery, Assassin’s Creed Shadows emerges like a katana from its scabbard. Ubisoft Quebec, the master smiths behind this epic, have forged a blade that cuts through time, blending history with myth, and stealth with action.
-
Dual Protagonists: Yasuke and Naoe
- Yasuke, the enigmatic African samurai, wields a katana that sings of forgotten battles. His armor bears scars from distant lands, and his eyes hold tales untold.
- Naoe, the nimble shinobi, dances through moonlit shadows. Her kunai pierce the night, and her silence is her deadliest weapon.
-
Feudal Japan Beckons
- Picture Kyoto’s temples, Edo’s bustling streets, and mist-shrouded forests. The open world breathes with authenticity, inviting exploration.
- Seasons shift, affecting gameplay. Cherry blossoms fall, snow blankets rooftops, and rain slicks the cobbled paths.
-
Stealth and Combat
- Naoe glides across rooftops, vanishing into the ink-black night. Her grappling hook swings her to vantage points, where she plans her strikes.
- Yasuke’s blade sings as he faces rival samurai. Parry, strike, and execute—each duel a dance of honor and survival.
-
Map Size and Quests
- The map sprawls like a scroll, revealing hidden shrines, teahouses, and forgotten tombs.
- Quests are whispers on the wind: assassinations, espionage, and unraveling conspiracies.
-
Release Date and Platforms
- Mark your calendar for November 15, 2024. Shadows will emerge from the mist.
- Available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Sorry, Xbox One and Switch warriors—you’ll have to wait for another dawn.
- pre-orders are looking very strong, click here
-
The Future Beckons
- Shadows isn’t just a game; it’s a gateway. Ubisoft whispers of more—Assassin’s Creed Hexe and Assassin’s Creed Infinity—promising realms uncharted.
Protagonists Origins:
Yasuke, one of the protagonists in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is a captivating figure with a mysterious past. Let’s delve into the enigma that surrounds this remarkable Black Samurai:
-
Historical Origins:
- Yasuke was a man of African origin who served as a retainer to the Japanese Samurai daimyō, Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga was a prominent authority during the Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods.
- Yasuke’s exact origins remain shrouded in uncertainty. We don’t even know his real name or where he came from. Some historical accounts claim he was brought to Japan from India, while others suggest he hailed from modern-day Mozambique.
-
Arrival in Japan:
- In 1579, Yasuke arrived in Japan in the service of Italian Jesuit missionaries. He accompanied them to a meeting with Nobunaga.
- Nobunaga became fascinated by Yasuke, demanding that he be scrubbed because he believed Yasuke’s black skin was merely ink. Of course, scrubbing didn’t magically change Yasuke’s complexion, but it intensified Nobunaga’s curiosity.
- The Italian Jesuits eventually handed Yasuke over to Nobunaga, who bestowed upon him his Japanese name.
-
Nobunaga’s Retainer:
- Yasuke became Nobunaga’s “Retainer,” a position that folded him into the daimyō’s standing army (known as the Kashindan). This was distinct from the conscripted peasant army (Ashigaru).
- His role was unique—a Black Samurai in a land where such a sight was rare and intriguing. Yasuke’s loyalty and skills made him stand out in Nobunaga’s service
-
Legacy and Mystery:
- Yasuke’s story is both fascinating and elusive. While some dispute whether he truly qualifies as a Samurai, his impact on Japanese history is undeniable.
- Born in West Africa, Yasuke’s early years remain a mystery. He may have been enslaved and trafficked as a child before finding himself in the service of the Italian Jesuit Alessandro Valignano.
- His legacy endures as a symbol of cultural exchange, resilience, and the intersection of diverse worlds in feudal Japan.
In the shadowed corridors of history, Yasuke’s tale unfolds—a warrior whose journey transcends borders and challenges our understanding of honor, identity, and the samurai code.