Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings an exciting, action-packed adventure to fans of the franchise, with a unique setting and a host of characters to interact with. Among these features, the romance system offers some intriguing options that allow Naoe and Yasuke to connect with several characters as they traverse Japan. Whether you’re looking to experience fleeting love stories or simply curious about how romance works in the game, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate every romance option available for both Naoe and Yasuke.
How to Romance Every Companion in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Romance Overview
In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players can pursue romance with four different characters—two for Naoe and two for Yasuke. These romances, while not deep or long-lasting relationships, are fun additions to the game that allow for moments of connection and intimacy amidst the chaos of bloodshed and assassinations. The romances include:
- Gennojo (Naoe)
- Katsuhime (Naoe)
- Ibuki (Yasuke)
- Lady Oichi (Yasuke)
Each of these characters offers a romance arc that can be triggered through specific dialogue choices and actions. It’s important to note that while the romances don’t lead to lasting relationships, they offer short but sweet moments of affection that can add another layer of depth to your playthrough.
How Romance Works in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Romancing a character in AC Shadows is relatively simple. The primary method involves selecting dialogue choices with a special heart symbol, signifying a flirty or romantic response. While not every heart symbol will immediately trigger the romance scene, it is a key part of moving the relationship forward.
Once you’ve triggered enough romantic interactions, you will reach a final moment where you can choose a dialogue option with a heart and arrow, which leads to a short scene. These moments are light-hearted and aren’t integral to the game’s plot but are fun to explore.
Important Tip: Canon Mode Restrictions
If you’re playing with Canon Mode turned on, it’s important to note that you cannot romance any of the characters listed above. This is a narrative choice made by the developers, and in Canon Mode, Naoe and Yasuke don’t engage in any romantic pursuits.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of how romance works in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, let’s dive into the specifics of each romance option.
Naoe’s Romance Options
1. Gennojo: The Arrogant Rebel
Gennojo is one of the easiest romance options to complete in AC Shadows, thanks to the way his romance is integrated into the game’s questlines. His story starts early, and by making the right choices, you can spark a romance during his Ally quest.
How to Romance Gennojo:
- Start Gennojo’s Ally Quest: Play through the “Swords and Sake” quest as Naoe.
- Save Gennojo in the Stolen Hearts Quest: When Gennojo is in peril, you’ll be given a dialogue option: “I’d like to embrace you.” Choose this to trigger a romantic moment.
- Complete Gennojo’s Final Quest: You’ll recruit him into the Kakushiba Ikki, a decision that solidifies the romance.
While Gennojo’s personality can be grating, he is one of the most useful allies in the game, so it’s worth romancing him even if he’s a bit arrogant!
2. Katsuhime: The Noble Lady
Katsuhime offers a more complex romance arc for Naoe, but it’s definitely worth pursuing if you’re a fan of dramatic and romantic storylines. Unlike Gennojo, you’ll need to be careful not to let Katsuhime be executed during one of the quests to ensure the romance progresses.
How to Romance Katsuhime:
- Start Katsuhime’s Ally Quest: Play through the “Letter from Katsuhime” quest.
- Save Katsuhime from Execution: In “The Diary of Lady Rokkaku,” Katsuhime is at risk of being executed. Ensure you stop the execution by attacking the executioner. If she dies, the romance is lost.
- Recruit Katsuhime: Once she’s rescued, recruit her into the Assassin’s Creed Shadows Hideout.
- Romance Moment: Meet her at the Jogu shrine in northwestern Wakasa, select the “Let’s find out” option, and share a romantic evening on the beach.
- Declare Love: Katsuhime will ask if you want to be with her forever. Choose “Yes. Forever” to seal the deal.
The romance with Katsuhime culminates in a lovely scene, and you’ll even receive the Kaiawase Shell quest item as a keepsake.
Yasuke’s Romance Options
3. Ibuki: The Mysterious Fighter
Ibuki’s romance is unlocked after recruiting her into your team, and you’ll be given the opportunity to flirt and connect with her during the Putting Down Roots quest. This romance is less complicated but just as rewarding, especially if you enjoy romantic tension mixed with a bit of mystery.
How to Romance Ibuki:
- Start Ibuki’s Ally Quest: Complete the “Ambush Interrupted” side quest in Iga to meet Ibuki.
- Recruit Ibuki: Finish the “Homecoming” quest and recruit Ibuki.
- Romantic Gesture: During the Putting Down Roots quest, you’ll be tasked with gathering Blue Anemone flower seeds from the riverbank near Kashiwara Manor in Iga.
- Romance Moment: Deliver the flowers to Ibuki and select the “I want more than friendship” option to kiss her.
Completing this romance will also unlock the Blue Anemone flora decoration for the Hideout, adding a nice touch to your base.
4. Lady Oichi: The Tragic Beauty
Lady Oichi’s romance is a bit more involved than others, and requires you to make a significant choice during the assassination questline. While she isn’t a recruitable ally, her romance is just as poignant and rewarding as the others.
How to Romance Lady Oichi:
- Begin the Mourner Assassination Quest: Complete the questline related to “The Mourner,” which includes “The Wheel Unmasked.”
- Spare Lady Oichi: During the quest’s final moments, you’ll be given the option to “Spare as Yasuke.” Choose this option to unlock her romance arc.
- Start The Wheel Turns: Read Lady Oichi’s letter in the Hideout to trigger the romance quest.
- Meet Lady Oichi: Find her in the town southwest of Azuchi, and choose the “I miss your smile” dialogue option to keep the romance progressing.
- Final Romance Moment: Travel to Okishima, meet her at the temple, and chat with her daughters. When you speak with Lady Oichi for the final time, select “Let’s enjoy the moment” to complete the romance.
After this, Yasuke wakes up alone the next morning, marking the end of Lady Oichi’s romance.
Conclusion: Love in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows doesn’t focus heavily on romance, it does offer a variety of options for Naoe and Yasuke to experience love in different forms. From the flirtatious and passionate moments with Gennojo and Katsuhime to the more bittersweet connection with Lady Oichi, these romances provide a welcome break from the action and give players an opportunity to explore relationships in the game.
Whether you’re romancing to add more depth to your characters or simply for the fun of it, these romantic encounters are a great addition to the Assassin’s Creed universe. So go ahead, make those flirtatious choices, and enjoy the fleeting moments of love in Assassin’s Creed Shadows!
Last Updated on March 23, 2025
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