Discover how Assassin’s Creed Shadows breaks barriers by offering players the chance to pursue same-s*x relationships with Yasuke and Naoe.

Ubisoft always tries to push the envelope and make waves, whether it’s with towering monuments or, you know, throwing an African Samurai into the middle of Feudal Japan in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. If you were already upset about that part, things are about to get a whole lot more, ahem, interesting.

The game offers diverse relationship options. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Why? Because Shadows takes that already controversial step and raises the stakes to a new level: if players choose Yasuke, they can pursue gay affairs. Yes, you read that right. Welcome to 16th-century feudal Japan, where love knows no bounds.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes love where no samurai has gone before

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Shadows was already ruffling some feathers by featuring Yasuke, a Black man, in a Japan-based game. But if that wasn’t enough to set social media on fire, now players get the chance to make the Black samurai fall in love with whomever they choose, even same-s*x characters.

One of the core elements of the game revolves around building connections with NPCs. And that’s where the romance kicks in. Even if players are playing as Yasuke (they can switch anytime), they need to deepen their relationships with various characters.

This opens the door for the potential for some very intimate connections. The standout romance here? Ibuki, a non-binary character, who quickly catches Yasuke’s eye. After completing certain quests of his, the dialogue between them turns flirtatious and playful.

After completing Ibuki’s questline, the two meet in the forest, exchanging some unforgettable lines while, let’s just say, bonding in a way that takes their connection to a whole new level.

“Do you think someone might see us… Do you care?” And Yasuke’s response is simple: “Not at all.”

But it doesn’t end there. The game offers even more romance options. He can also romance Hori Hidemasa, a retainer of the powerful Lord Nobunaga. This relationship doesn’t get frisky like Ibuki’s, but it still holds emotional weight.

So, to recap, Yasuke’s love life isn’t just reserved for the ladies. He’s out there living his best Samurai life.

Naoe gets in on the action too

The game fully commits to diverse relationships. | Image Credit: Ubisoft

Yasuke isn’t the only one who gets to explore all the the full spectrum of love in Shadows. Wait until you control Naoe. Since each protagonist offers a different perspective of the storyline, they also form connections with different allies.

Just like Yasuke, Naoe can also dive into same-s*x relationships. So, if you’re mad about one, you’ll have to be mad about this, too. But honestly, Ubisoft? Kudos for not shying away from it.

It looks like Assassin’s Creed Shadows isn’t just about stealth, sword fights, and historical accuracy, it’s also about letting players explore connections, whether those connections are with someone of the same gender or different.

In a game where making allies and forming relationships is part of the gameplay, it’s nice to see that the developers didn’t shy away from making these connections as diverse and open as possible.

In the end, so if you’re playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows and wondering if Yasuke’s love life is as bold as his swordplay, well, buckle up. It’s going to be one hell of a ride.