In the immersive world of *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* set in Feudal Japan, romance plays a significant role, allowing players to deepen their connections with certain characters based on their actions. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to engage in romance and who you can romance in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*.
Romance in *Assassin’s Creed* is not a new concept, with previous titles like *Odyssey* and *Valhalla* offering similar features. However, *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* introduces a unique approach to romance. Both protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, have the opportunity to pursue romantic relationships. Players have the flexibility to decide whether these relationships will be fleeting or long-lasting, even with canon mode enabled.
The game makes it clear when romance is on the table, often through unsubtle cues like Gennojo's playful one-liners. When faced with dialogue options, a heart icon will appear next to choices that advance the romance. To deepen the relationship, consistently choose these options. The icon will eventually transform to include a cupid's arrow, signaling a crucial moment in the relationship's development.
It's important to note that choosing a romantic option once or twice won't lock you into a relationship. Conversely, missing a key romantic choice can impact future opportunities. For instance, in my playthrough, an early decision to not flirt with Gennojo led to him rejecting Naoe later on when I tried to advance the relationship. Therefore, it's wise to keep your romantic options open, as you never know who might capture your heart later in the game.
Both Naoe and Yasuke have distinct romantic options in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, with some characters being more central to the narrative than others. The game offers both heterosexual and same-sex romance options. Here are the romantic options I've discovered so far:
And that concludes the *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* romance guide, detailing who you can romance and how to do it. *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* is now available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.