Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Stealth is a Good Omen for Codename Hexe

Assassin's Creed Shadows' Stealth is a Good Omen for Codename Hexe

Key Takeaways

  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in Sengoku Japan with dual protagonists, each of which offers diverse gameplay styles.
  • Naoe’s stealth combat includes innovative mechanics like grappling hooks, prone, and underwater stealth, and it’s particularly promising for Assassin’s Creed Hexe.
  • Shadows’ new stealth features could influence Hexe, being brought over and expanded upon to enhance depth and combat.

As a seasoned Assassin’s Creed fan with over a decade of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows has me more excited than ever! The shift to Sengoku Japan and the introduction of dual protagonists promises a fresh take on the series that I’ve grown to love.


The forthcoming “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” promises to break new ground compared to previous “Assassin’s Creed” games in various aspects. Firstly, it marks the debut of a mainline “Assassin’s Creed” game set in Asia, focusing on the Sengoku period Japan. Secondly, it introduces a realistic weather and seasonal cycle that influences the game world, wildlife, and non-player characters. For instance, ponds and lakes may freeze during winter, and puppies might become more common in spring. Lastly, the stealth combat in “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” is likely to set a precedent for the combat system in another upcoming game titled “Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe.

Naoe’s Stealth Combat in Assassin’s Creed Shadows

In “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” we see a double lead character for only the second time in the series, introducing Japanese Shinobi Fujibayashi Naoe and African Samurai Yasuke. Players can expect two distinct gameplay experiences with these characters. As a skilled stealth operative, Naoe excels in covert operations but falters when confronted by numerous adversaries in hand-to-hand combat. On the other hand, Yasuke functions like a formidable tank due to his heavy armor and potent weapons during direct conflicts, yet finds himself challenged in stealth missions. Essentially, Naoe’s gameplay style is reminiscent of traditional “Assassin’s Creed” games, while Yasuke plays more similarly to the protagonist from recent titles such as “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

Compared to her Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 counterparts, Naoe’s combat style is more extensive. She has the ability to traverse distant locations and targets using a grappling hook for air assassinations. Instead of just crouching in tall grass to evade enemies, she can lie prone to escape their sight and squeeze through narrow openings. In indoor settings, she can jump onto ceiling beams to hide from adversaries or execute aerial attacks reminiscent of stealth moves seen in Marvel’s Spider-Man. If there’s a nearby body of water like a pond or river, she can use a breathing stick to submerge and hide until an opportunity for a silent underwater assassination arises. Of course, she still retains the use of her signature hidden blade for regular stealthy and air assassinations.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Other Stealth Environmental Features

In the game Shadows, the setting can sometimes pose challenges for the player, like a frozen pond hindering Naoe’s ability to use her breathing stick underwater. However, it can also be beneficial for stealth takedowns in various ways. For instance, during a mission, an abrupt thunderstorm might arise, making wind and rain mask the noise of Naoe’s footsteps, increasing her chances of successful stealth takedowns. Moreover, Naoe has the ability to destroy lanterns and create darkness around her, which will lower enemies’ detection time, enabling the player to carry out assassinations quietly from the shadows.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Stealth Influence on Codename Hexe

Since many previous Assassin’s Creed games have employed similar mechanics and systems, such as how Assassin’s Creed Origins and Odyssey played almost identically, the upcoming game codenamed Hexe might benefit from Shadows’ advanced stealth features. Although specific details about Codename Hexe remain scarce, it could potentially be a notable addition to the series if it offers gameplay as rich and immersive as Shadows, particularly in its combat system. Furthermore, Codename Hexe may combine the characters of Naoe and Yasuke into one protagonist, granting players continuous access to both stealth and direct combat abilities without needing to switch between characters.

The codename “Hexe” might further enhance the stealth mechanics of “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows”. It is speculated that “Hexe” will be set in Central Europe during the 16th Century, potentially within the Holy Roman Empire, with a focus on witch trials. Leveraging Ubisoft Montreal’s expertise with mythological elements, as demonstrated in “Valhalla”, “Hexe” could introduce a witch Assassin protagonist who employs magic to bolster her stealth capabilities. This character might brew potions that make them harder to detect and enable unique effects on enemies, such as distractions, similar to the darts seen in “Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag”. If the witch Assassin uses magic, she could utilize her powers to momentarily darken areas or cast illusions to terrify foes. Building upon the innovations of “Shadows”, Hexe could deliver an even richer stealth experience for franchise enthusiasts.

There’s speculation that the game known as Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe might come out around 2026, although Ubisoft has not yet made an official announcement to confirm this timeline.

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2024-09-24 22:03