Like most other action RPGs these days, Assassins Creed Shadows features romance options. They're fairly basic and largely inconsequential in the long run, but those who are into that kind of thing should still get a kick out of them nonetheless. Players will be able to flirt with NPCs at various points throughout the game by choosing dialog options with a heart next to them. Doing so will eventually lead to a dialog option with a Cupid heart, and selecting this will trigger an intimate moment.

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The Best Main Story Mission Order in Assassin's Creed Shadows

The best mission order in Assassin's Creed Shadows is based on the recommended level of each Onryo starting quest.

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Both Yasuke and Naoe have hetero and same-sex relationships available to them, though players are free to pick and choose which of these they want to pursue. It's possible to trigger all of the romantic options in Assassin's Creed Shadows in a single playthrough, regardless of whether players have Canon Mode enabled. Sadly, however, there's no reward for triggering romantic encounters, nor any kind of long-term benefit to doing so beyond the initial romantic scene.

All Naoe Romances in Assassin's Creed Shadows

Gennojo (Naoe Romance)

Players will be able to trigger the "Sake and Swords" side quest in Yamashiro after they're done with the "Lost Honor" main story mission. Completing it will unlock "Honor Among Thieves", which will lead to another new side quest called "Stolen Hearts". After rescuing Gennojo at the beginning of this quest, players will have the option to say "I'd like to embrace you.", which will lead to a romantic moment between Naoe and Gennojo.

Katsuhime (Naoe Romance)

Players will meet Katsuhime as part of the main story, after which, they'll be able to trigger the "Letter from Katsuhime" side quest by speaking with Katsuhime in the Shimmering Fields area of Iga. "Letter from Katsuhime" will lead to a few more side quests, the last of which is called "The Jounin Pillow Book". Towards the end of this quest, players will have the opportunity to trigger a romantic encounter between Naoe and Katsuhime by selecting the "Let's find out." Dialogue option.

Koshiro (Naoe Romance)

Players will first meet Koshiro as part of the main story, after which, they can return to Kitano Village to trigger the "Genzaburo's Soldiers" side quest. This leads to another side quest called "The Leaf Turns", which sees Naoe retrieving Koshiro's toolbox for him. Upon her return, Koshiro takes Naoe to a place called Lover's Lake, where players will have the option to choose the "Like me." Dialog option and trigger an intimate moment. The icon for this one is the same as the one used for regular flirting, though the outcome is very much in keeping with all of the other romantic options in Assassins Creed Shadows.

All Yasuke Romances in Assassin's Creed Shadows

Hori Hidemasa (Yasuke Romance)

Players first meet Hori Hidemasa in the Otsu area of Omi and can speak with him to trigger the "The Betrayers" side quest. After tracking down and dealing with all of Nobunaga's betrayers, choosing the "Meeting you was my reward." Option will lead to a romantic moment between Yasuke and Hori.

Ibuki (Yasuke Romance)

After progressing through the main story a little, players will be able to unlock the "Ambush Interrupted" side quest in the Hijiyama area of Iga. Completing this and the next few Ibuki missions will eventually lead them to the "Putting Down Roots" side quest, at the end of which, they'll have the option to choose the "I want more than friendship." Option and trigger a romantic encounter between Yasuke and the Ronin.

Lady Oichi (Yasuke Romance)

After finishing the "The Wheel Unmasked" main story mission, players will be able to start the "The Wheel Turns" side quest by reading Lady Oichi's letter at the hideout. This will take them to an island in the center of Lake Biwa, where they'll need to help Lady Oichi and her daughters choose a new pet cat. At the end of the quest, they'll have the option to say "Let's enjoy the moment.", which will lead to a tender moment between Yasuke and Lady Oichi.

Rin (Yasuke Romance)

To romance Rin, players will first need to complete the "Arrow Strike" side quest, which is triggered by speaking with Yasha in the Gobo area on the southern coast of Kii. The next time the season changes, they'll unlock another side quest called "War Horse", and completing this and waiting for the season to change again will lead to one final Rin-related side quest called "Ride into Town". If players have been regularly flirting with Rin throughout these three quests, they'll eventually have the option to say "I would like to kiss you.", and doing so will lead to an intimate moment between Rin and Yasuke.

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Assassin's Creed Shadows Tag Page Cover Art
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Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
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Released
March 20, 2025
ESRB
Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
Developer(s)
Ubisoft Quebec
Publisher(s)
Ubisoft
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Assassin’s Creed Shadows Expansion Details Leaked on Steam
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Genre(s)
Action, Stealth, RPG