When you think of Assassin’s Creed, one element that stands out is the legendary Hidden Blade. Typically, it’s a retractable blade attached to a forearm bracer, perfect for swift and silent takedowns in close combat. This iconic weapon has evolved a lot over the series, from the humble beginnings in the first game to the spring-loaded grappling hook of Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. Now, the latest release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is putting a fresh spin on this staple with the introduction of a new protagonist, Naoe.
In an insightful chat with Game Rant, Jonathan Dumont, the creative director of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, shed some light on Naoe’s version of the Hidden Blade. Dumont explained its design and how it functions uniquely for Naoe, blending classic elements with new innovations.
One of the defining aspects of Assassin’s Creed Shadows is its dual protagonist setup, featuring Naoe and Yasuke. Naoe’s forte is stealth, making her the perfect bearer of the Hidden Blade. Earlier games in the series focused mainly on traditional assassins, with the Hidden Blade as an essential piece of their arsenal. But as the franchise shifted towards more action-packed gameplay, this tool lost some of its prominence. By reintroducing it with Naoe, a classic stealth character, Shadows marks a notable return to the series’ roots.
The big question is, how will the Hidden Blade function in Assassin’s Creed Shadows in terms of gameplay mechanics and story involvement? Since the functionality of this weapon has varied widely across games, Shadows has the opportunity to offer something truly distinctive. According to Dumont, Naoe’s Hidden Blade will echo the dual-functionality seen in Assassin’s Creed 3, where the blade was equally useful for stealth maneuvers and open combat:
“The design of Naoe’s hidden blade is fascinating; it offers versatility between stealth and combat. It features the traditional sliding mechanism for assassinations but also swivels, turning into a secondary weapon when paired with a Tanto as the primary. This allows Naoe to dual-wield in battles, making her formidable in close-quarters combat,” Dumont elaborated.
Longtime fans will recognize the nod to Assassin’s Creed 3’s Pivot Blade, which Connor used for direct attacks. Similarly, Naoe’s Hidden Blade serves a dual purpose, particularly when paired with her primary weapon. Even so, Naoe’s stealth-oriented design in Shadows means many players will likely choose silence over confrontation.
When it comes to story integration, Naoe’s Hidden Blade takes on a different significance. Throughout the series, the blade’s narrative importance has been addressed in various ways, sometimes highlighted as a fundamental element of the Assassin tradition, other times merely as a useful tool. Dumont chose to be coy about this aspect, revealing, “As for the role of the hidden blade in the story, players will get to witness its significance as they progress through the game.”
With Assassin’s Creed Shadows poised for release, anticipation builds over how this new take on the Hidden Blade will impact gameplay and the storyline. Naoe’s version seems to strike a balance between honoring the franchise’s stealth-centric roots and introducing fresh gameplay dynamics. Whether players harness this weapon’s stealthy lethality or combine it with a Tanto for open battle, Naoe’s journey promises to be an intriguing chapter in Assassin’s Creed lore. Fans will have to wait until launch day to fully uncover how this iteration of the Hidden Blade enriches the series’ iconic history.
