Yasuke is a central protagonist in Assassin's Creed Shadows, inspired by a historical figure, an African samurai who served Oda Nobunaga. The game's portrayal includes both historical and fictional elements to fit the Assassin's Creed narrative, set in the same Sengoku period as Naoe's story.
All Yasuke Details
Historical Background
Historically, Yasuke arrived in Japan in 1579 as a retainer to Jesuit missionary Alessandro Valignano and was later employed by Oda Nobunaga, becoming his retainer and possibly the first foreign samurai. The game expands on this, depicting him surviving an attack on a slave ship and rising to prominence under Nobunaga. His role in the game involves participating in the invasion of Iga, initially positioning him as Naoe's enemy.
Role in the Game
Yasuke's character contrasts with Naoe's, focusing on combat rather than stealth. He is portrayed as level-headed, complementing Naoe's quick-to-anger nature, with their dynamic inspired by other literary sources. Throughout the game, he transitions from an enemy to an ally, assisting Naoe in intelligence gathering and assassinations, driven by personal motivations and core beliefs aligning with the Assassins.
Playstyle
Yasuke's playstyle is combat-oriented, utilizing his strength and samurai skills. He can engage in direct confrontations, offering a brawler approach compared to Naoe's stealth tactics. The game ensures distinct gameplay and animations for both characters, allowing players to switch between them for varied mission approaches.
Yasuke's Presence
Yasuke is a storied warrior with origins in Mozambique, where he was taken as a slave before eventually arriving in Japan in service of Jesuit missionaries.
Much like the folded steel katana he comes to wield, Yasuke is resilient, honorable, and reliable, even as his troubled and painful past hardens him against the world beyond.
