Assassin's Creed Shadows' lead developer assures players that choosing a single protagonist won't significantly impact their experience. The game features two playable characters: Naoe, a female shinobi, and Yasuke, a historical African samurai, whose inclusion has generated pre-release discussion.

Concerns arose that focusing on one character might lead to missed story elements or gameplay. Creative director Jonathan Dumont addressed these concerns, describing his own balanced approach: "I switch between characters, perhaps 3-5 hours with one, then 2-3 with the other."

However, Dumont clarified that players aren't penalized for favoring one character. While each protagonist boasts unique opening sequences and personal storylines, the game's narrative adapts to the player's choice. He encourages players to play as they prefer: "You won't miss much. It depends on your playstyle. Experiment! Each has unique introductions and quests, but the core experience is adaptable. Choose your favorite; the story adjusts."