When you get to that point on the map, don’t expect an NPC to come running; just know you’re closer to your destination. Once again, observe by holding down LT and looking around will identify objectives (blue dots), treasures and supplies (gold dots), and other notable items (white dots). Where there’s treasure, you can expect resistance. Pressing down on the right thumbstick as Naoe activates Eagle Vision, an Assassin’s Creed staple, making enemies glow red, even though walls. Then: observe them with LT held to keep them marked, even when you look away.
If you just want to go from point to point, like the old days, check out the Guided Exploration Mode option. Point, click, assassinate.
Gaining Knowledge, Seek Inner Peace
It’s worth checking out these points of interest on the way to your next objective, as many play into the new Mastery Point system. While leveling up, hitting major story points, and assassinating key enemies earn you those valuable points, the new Knowledge Rank system unlocks higher tiers of the skill tree, giving you more options on where to develop your characters.
Back to those question marks: upon close observation, some will become a red-orange circle on your map, denoting a Knowledge Rank-earning opportunity. Early on, I stumbled upon a place for Naoe to sit near a shrine, which led to a meditative QTE event, eventually giving way to a meaty flashback about Naoe’s first taste of battle. Over time, I encountered more of these “Kuji-Kiri” opportunities, revealing essential bits of Naoe’s past, while helping me unlock the next tier of abilities for her to use in the future.
Two Very Distinct Heroes
This is a little stating the obvious – it’s one of the most unique features about Assassin’s Creed Shadows – but the two characters play styles are very dramatic from one another. As Naoe, you’re an agile assassin who relies on stealth and guile; Yasuke is a devastating tank that can quickly leave a bloody path through a courtyard in a manner of seconds. But how (and when) you choose to use them in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is just as important.