After years of exploring different timelines, Assassin’s Creed Shadows finally refocuses on the conflict between the Assassins and the Templars. This tale plunges players deep into the historical feud, which had taken a backseat in previous installments such as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, Origins, and Valhalla. While the game predominantly centers on the enigmatic Shinbakufu group, the Templar menace looms in the background, eventually revealing their more sinister nature.
The narrative kicks off with the tragic murder of Naoe’s father by the Shinbakufu, which sets her on a path of revenge. As the story unfolds, players find themselves rooting out this secretive group across Japan. Yet, just as the dust seems to settle, the nefarious Templars step into the spotlight, showcasing their ruthless ambition.
### The Unveiling of Yasuke’s Vendetta
In the later stages of the game, players are drawn into Yasuke’s personal arc. His journey is one of vengeance and personal discovery, as he methodically tracks down Templars tied to his haunting past.
#### Duarte de Melo’s Brutal Savagery
Yasuke’s mission begins with a confrontation against Duarte de Melo, a notorious Templar known for his brutality. Meeting him aboard his vessel, players witness Duarte’s blatant disregard for life as he ends a man’s cries with a gruesome act, uttering cold words of disdain. The enmity between Duarte and Yasuke runs deep. It’s revealed that Duarte played a crucial role in enslaving Yasuke and his mother years prior, casting racial hatred at Yasuke even in his final moments.
#### Kimura Kei: The Templar Mentor
Next in the crosshairs is Kimura Kei, an influential figure within the Templar ranks in Japan. Unlike Duarte, Kimura channels his malevolence through mentorship, grooming new initiates for the Templar cause. Despite Yasuke’s efforts to turn him away from the Templar path, Kimura stands firm, convinced that their rule is essential for peace in the region.
#### Nuno Caro: The Catalyst of Suffering
The tangled threads of Yasuke’s history might lead players to face Nuno Caro, potentially the overarching villain depending on player choices. Caro’s past atrocities include ordering the death of Yasuke’s mother, a traumatic event that Yasuke witnessed firsthand. Caro’s death, instigated by a climactic duel, is a symbolic reckoning as Yasuke confronts the origin of much of his pain.
### The Dawn of a Larger Conflict
The demise of Nuno Caro sets the stage for future strife, as he ominously warns Yasuke of impending battles between the Templars and the newly stirred League of the Hidden Blade. His words hint at a brewing storm that will test loyalties and challenge the foundations of the Assassin and Templar feud anew.
As the game concludes, players are left with a profound impression of the enduring clash between these factions, carefully setting the groundwork for whatever comes next in the series.
