As the Assassin’s Creed series has moved closer to being RPGs, stealth has become less and less important. It’s still a big part of games like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Valhalla, but missions do give players more freedom in how they want to approach situations, thus putting less emphasis on stealth. This style has pros and cons, though fans of the series have missed feeling like a sneaky, fragile assassin rather than a versatile mercenary.

While the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows is placing more emphasis on stealth, it’s also doubling down on more action-oriented gameplay. This is done through the dual protagonists, the shinobi Fujibayashi Naoe and real-life historical figure the samurai Yasuke, rather than on-the-fly decision-making by the player. Players can choose to play as either character for any mission, with Naoe focusing on stealth and Yasuke taking on enemies with brute force.

Separating Gameplay Styles for a Better Experience

If Players Can’t Do Both, They’ll Be Able to Focus on One and Have More Fun

While it is disappointing that Yasuke can’t be as stealthy as Naoe, this clear split has a purpose. In previous titles, if a player was caught sneaking around, they could simply engage the enemy in combat and finish the mission that way. It caused players to be less cautious, as they were so powerful in both stealth and direct combat that it didn’t really matter how they got the job done. This left stealth feeling more like something to be abandoned at the first opportunity.

Having two characters lets the developers divide the playstyles with less room for players to move between them. Naoe is much more of a glass cannon and relies on speed to take down opponents rather than strength, so she’s not going to be able to hold her own in a brawl with multiple enemies. She’ll play best from the shadows, taking out foes in a single, deadly strike. Yasuke, on the other hand, is all about that direct confrontation.

Where Naoe might climb over a wall, Yasuke would barrel right through it. The samurai might not have eagle vision or be able to perform the leap of faith properly, but he walks tall and carries a big stick. Literally, as he can equip a massive weapon called a Kanobo, or war club, to crush any opposition in his way. His large frame and bulky armor prevent him from pure stealth gameplay, but he can still dabble in it a little, with the same going in reverse for Naoe.

The question, though, and the crux of the controversy, is whether Assassin’s Creed really needs to have a melee combat-focused build. Ubisoft confirmed this week that Yasuke is officially not an assassin character; he will not have the Eagle Vision ability, and his Leap of Faith is much more clumsy and doesn’t really lend itself to stealth gameplay, either. Fans are already clamoring for the series to return to its more focused roots, but including a fighter whose style is more reminiscent of Dark Souls‘ dodge-and-parry system feels like an even further cry from tradition.

The game will likely still provide players with a perfectly good time, but the decision to forgo any assassin abilities for one of the game’s dual protagonists has left a sour taste in some players’ mouths. Ubisoft seems to think that deviating further and further from what made the series originally stand out is the way to keep the series moving forward, but some feel like the franchise has evolved so much, it remains Assassin’s Creed in name only.

Players Can Focus on Either Stealth or Combat, Not Both

Yasuke Would Have Made For a Cool Assassin, But That’s Not What He’s About

Players who want to want that classic stealth gameplay should pick Naoe, while those who prefer action should pick Yasuke. It may be disappointing that Yasuke doesn’t get the stealth abilities Naoe has, but that’s part of what creates the different playstyles. Designing a game is often about both what players can do, and what they can’t do. Players aren’t stuck in their choice for the whole game, as, according to Ubisoft, they can swap between protagonists whenever they wish. It’s safe to assume that’s only outside of missions, but players can still experience both styles.

If hardcore Assassin’s Creed fans want to play Naoe for the entire game, it seems like they can after the prologue and being introduced to both characters. Likewise, players who want to forgo stealth entirely can play as Yasuke. Each protagonist can still dip slightly into the other’s skillset, but both have advantages in their respective fields that make them far better at stealth or combat. This division should make each playstyle feel better, but players will only find out once the game finally releases.