Why Assassin’s Creed Shadows Deserves a Sequel Starring Naoe and Yasuke

by

Even though it’s over a month past its release date, Assassin’s Creed Shadows from Ubisoft Quebec has been consistently selling strongly in the US and globally. As reported by Circana, Assassin’s Creed Shadows held the top spot for sales in US markets during March, while it ranked second worldwide in March, behind only Monster Hunter: Wilds. Moreover, the game has garnered numerous positive reviews from various gaming outlets, who appreciate its characters, setting, and gameplay. With the Claws of Awaji expansion set to continue Fujibayashi Naoe and Yasuke’s story, Ubisoft might want to further develop these characters in a potential future sequel.

The History of Assassin’s Creed Direct Sequels

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, the mainline games of Assassin’s Creed series mostly followed a continuous storyline for the modern-day narrative. Starting from Assassin’s Creed 2, each game followed Desmond Miles directly after the ending of its predecessor. After being saved by Lucy Stillman, Desmond joined the Assassins and delved into more ancestral memories to fight against the Templars in the present. This pattern persisted until Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, which took place months following Assassin’s Creed 3 and had players control an unnamed employee of Abstergo Industries instead of Desmond Miles, who was now deceased. The players didn’t reprise the role of the modern-day protagonist again until Assassin’s Creed Origins, Odyssey, and Valhalla, where they played as Layla Hassan in the present day.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got to say that among the iconic characters from past Assassin’s Creed simulations, only Ezio Auditore da Firenze has had direct mainline sequels all to himself. From Assassin’s Creed 2 to Revelations, I lived and breathed every moment of Ezio’s life – from a young, daring Assassin in Renaissance Italy, to a seasoned and wise mentor in Constantinople. Compared to his predecessor, Altaïr Ibn-La’Ahad, got a follow-up in the spin-off Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines, as well as parts of Revelations, but it wasn’t on the same scale as Ezio’s Italian journey. Since Assassin’s Creed 3, no other mainline Assassin’s Creed game has been made as a direct sequel to a historical protagonist again, no matter how well-liked or successful they were.

Assassin’s Creed Spin-Off Follow-Ups

Although only Ezio had direct sequels among the main protagonists of the “Assassin’s Creed” series, many others saw their stories develop or expand in side games. For instance, Aveline de Grandpré from “Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation” had her story picked up in the DLC named Aveline, which was part of “Black Flag”. Connor Kenway, the main character of “Assassin’s Creed 3”, made a brief comeback in the Aveline DLC and also appeared in “Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR”. Kassandra from “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey” had her story briefly resumed in “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” via the Crossover Stories DLC, “Nexus VR”, and is anticipated to appear in “Assassin’s Creed Jade”. Haytham Kenway, a character from “Assassin’s Creed 3”, can be found in both “Black Flag” and “Assassin’s Creed Rogue”, while Adéwalé, a character from “Black Flag”, also appears in “Assassin’s Creed Rogue”. Lastly, Basim Ibn Ishaq from “Valhalla” even got his own prequel titled “Assassin’s Creed Mirage”.

In the gaming world, I, Ezio Auditore da Firenze, make a comeback in the VR version of Assassin’s Creed Nexus and Assassin’s Creed Identity. These adventures unfold before my story in Revelations. I also find myself in Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China, an exciting tale that follows after my encounter in Revelations.

An Argument for an Assassin’s Creed Shadows Direct Sequel

Following the Ezio trilogy, many Assassin’s Creed enthusiasts have been clamoring for Ubisoft to produce more direct sequels featuring some of the series’ beloved protagonists. For instance, fans have been eagerly awaiting a sequel to Assassin’s Creed Unity that would focus on Arno Dorian pursuing Shay Cormac from Rogue, and another sequel to Origins centering around Bayek and Amunet in ancient Rome. However, each successive mainline Assassin’s Creed game has instead introduced new protagonists in fresh settings. With the acclaim garnered by Shadows, Ubisoft might want to consider developing a sequel after the release of Assassin’s Creed Codename Hexe. This could help establish new icons for the franchise alongside Ezio, with Naoe and Yasuke joining the ranks.

In essence, the main game of Shadows unfolds as a backstory for both Naoe and Yasuke, along with their Kakushiba ikki, as they pursue the Shinbakufu, aiming to expel corrupt elements from central Japan. Along their adventure, Naoe and Yasuke uncover details about their ties to the Assassin Brotherhood and Templar Order. Notably, Naoe’s parents were members of the Japanese Brotherhood of Assassins, whereas Yasuke was brought to Japan by Portuguese Templars. Throughout the game, there are hints that Naoe dreams of sailing to foreign lands, while Yasuke shows a preference for staying in Japan. A possible sequel to Shadows could delve deeper into their connections with the Assassins and Templars, as well as their bond with Japan.

A Potential Assassin’s Creed Shadows Sequel

In the potential continuation of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, protagonists Naoe and Yasuke may embark on a quest to locate Naoe’s missing mother, Tsuyu. To prevent the Templars from establishing a stronghold in Japan, Yasuke joins this endeavor. This journey could lead them across various regions of Japan and nearby islands, offering players an opportunity to delve deeper into the historical period, possibly spanning from the late 1500s to the early 1600s if there’s a significant time leap between games. Along the way, they might encounter remnants of the Japanese Brotherhood, potentially including Alvaro Catarribera, the founder of the Japanese Assassins. A sequel could also offer insights into Yasuke’s later life, as much about the real Yasuke’s post-Oda Nobunaga fate remains undisclosed.

Read More

2025-05-03 18:35