Summary
Assassin’s Creed Shadowshas a vast number of things contributing to its ongoing success in 2025, but its dual protagonists are among its best features. Sure,Assassin’s Creedhas done dual protagonists before, but never in the way thatAssassin’s Creed Shadowshandles its own, Yasuke and Naoe. With these distinct playable characters, players can approach combat and exploration situations inAssassin’s Creed Shadowswith unprecedented diversity, giving them more control over how fresh the game feels the more time they spend with it. Now, based on the success and popularity of this approach, a futureGhostgame by Sucker Punch would be remiss not to follow suit.
Now that Sucker Punch’sGhostfranchise has determined its new direction withGhost of Yotei, that means most of its new entries moving forward will take place in a different time period with a brand-new protagonist. However, should the franchise be bold enough, it could evolve its formula by adoptingAssassin’s Creed Shadows' dual-protagonist approach for a “Ghosts of” game that features multiple playable characters at the helm of its story. It would likely be a long way off, but it’s a concept Sucker Punch shouldn’t shy away from, especially now thatAssassin’s Creed Shadowshas proven how viable it can be.
AC Shadows' Dual Protagonists Are a Perfect Fit for a Ghost Game
Assassin’s Creed Shadows' Dual Protagonists Offer Unique Playstyles and Personalities
Assassin’s Creed Shadowsdoesn’t just give players two protagonists who are different in name and face only, and that’s ultimately why the approach works.Yasuke and Naoeoffer two highly distinct playstyles inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, with Yasuke specializing in direct confrontation and brute force, and Naoe possessing excellent parkour skills and preferring to stick to the shadows where she can eliminate her enemies unseen.
What makes the unique playstyles of these characters even better is the fact that players can swap between each protagonist seamlessly, so instead of respeccing their build or choosing at the beginning of the game who to control (as they had to withAlexios and Kassandra inAssassin’s Creed Odyssey), players can almost instantly change the currently playable character and their playstyle simultaneously. Should players grow weary of the patience required to clear castles inAssassin’s Creed Shadowsusing Naoe’s stealth expertise, they can simply swap to Yasuke, break down the doors, and mow down anyone in their way.
Assassin’s Creed Shadowsdoesn’t just give players two protagonists who are different in name and face only, and that’s ultimately why the approach works.
Yasuke and Naoe are also immensely different in their personalities, with Naoe being a fiery yet compassionate individual and Yasuke opting for a more humble, honorable, and “dangerous teddy bear” demeanor. These personalities are reflected inAssassin’s Creed Shadows' dialogueand cinematics, of course, but they are also exhibited in each character’s playstyle, making for a unique experience regardless of who players are controlling.
A Future ‘Ghosts of’ Game Could Feature Dual Protagonists
This is an approach that a futureGhostgame by Sucker Punch could capitalize on and potentially even improve, simply due to what the franchise already did with its very first protagonist, Jin Sakai. Jin was essentially a hybrid of Naoe and Yasuke, with the ability to strike from the shadows (hence the title of “Ghost”), but plenty of strength in open, direct combat as well. Furthermore, based on what has been revealed so far about it,Ghost of Yotei’s Atsulooks like she will also be a hybrid, though more footage of her in open combat has been shown than her in stealth scenarios.
The inclusion of matchlock guns inGhost of Yoteialso suggests Atsu may lean more on the direct combat side of things, but she wouldn’t truly be a Ghost without a significant emphasis on stealth mechanics.
Rather than continuing this tradition and only featuring one hybrid protagonist in everyGhostgame from here on out, however, Sucker Punch could take the plunge and feature two Ghosts for players to control, each of whom has a unique playstyle. One Ghost, for example, could be a true Ghost whose playstyle emphasizes stealth, whereas the other Ghost could be a more honorable samurai who prefers to confront their enemies directly. This would also allow for some interestingcharacter developmentand relationship dynamics as the two potentially clash, thereby increasing its storytelling value in the long run.
