When it comes to Assassin's Creed's gameplay, no element is quite as iconic as the Hidden Blade. Traditionally, Assassin's Creed's Hidden Blade is a retractable blade mounted on a bracer worn on the forearm, allowing the user to extend and retract it quickly for close-quarters combat and silent kills. It has transformed throughout the series, from its simplest form in the first Assassin's Creed to boasting a spring-loaded grappling hook in Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Now, Assassin's Creed Shadows brings a unique iteration of the signature weapon into the fray alongside one of its playable protagonists, Naoe.
The Best War Games recently interviewed Jonathan Dumont, creative director for Assassin's Creed Shadows, where we learned more about Naoe's Hidden Blade. During the interview, Dumont divulged some information about the design and function of Naoe's Hidden Blade.
All About Naoe's Hidden Blade in Assassin's Creed Shadows
The Role of Naoe's Hidden Blade in Assassin's Creed Shadows' Gameplay
Of Assassin's Creed Shadows' two playable protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, Naoe specializes in stealth gameplay, which is why she possesses the Hidden Blade. Until Assassin's Creed Origins, the series had primarily only featured traditional assassins, so the implementation of the Hidden Blade as a weapon and tool was a given. As the series began experimenting with more action-oriented gameplay, the Hidden Blade took on a less prominent role than it had previously, making its inclusion alongside a more traditional assassin in Assassin's Creed Shadows a big moment for the series.
The question is how the Hidden Blade will manifest in Assassin's Creed Shadows in terms of its function, mechanics, and role in the story. Since these are elements that have occasionally oscillated between installments, there is potential for Assassin's Creed Shadows to take on a similar approach. According to Dumont, however, it seems Naoe's Hidden Blade will hearken back to the days of Assassin's Creed 3 when the iconic tool was useful for both stealth and open combat:
"The design of Naoe’s hidden blade is interesting because it allows Naoe some versatility that alternates between stealth and combat. In addition to the traditional sliding function that allows Naoe to perform assassinations, the blade is also mounted on a swivel that allows the blade to pivot and be used as a secondary weapon, when Naoe has a Tanto equipped as a primary weapon. This mechanism allows Naoe to dual wield in combat and be very effective in short-range melee."
Assassin's Creed fans should recognize Assassin's Creed 3's Pivot Blade being mentioned here, which Connor could use to strike enemies directly in front of him. As Dumont stated, Naoe can use her Hidden Blade in the same way when she has a Tanto equipped as her primary weapon. That said, since Naoe has been designed for stealth gameplay in Assassin's Creed Shadows, players may prefer to do things silently and avoid open combat as much as possible when controlling her.
The Role of Naoe's Hidden Blade in Assassin's Creed Shadows' Story
How Naoe's Hidden Blade will be incorporated into Assassin's Creed Shadows' story is entirely different. The franchise has handled the introduction of the Hidden Blade in numerous ways throughout its lifespan, with some entries explaining its significance to Assassin's Creed tradition and others simply regarding it as a useful weapon for quietly subduing enemies. Understandably, Dumont has chosen to keep that part of Naoe's Hidden Blade undisclosed for the time being, stating, "As for the role of the hidden blade in the story, players will get to witness the significance as they play the game."
Assassin's Creed Shadows is shaping up to be a return to form for the franchise's signature weapon, and Naoe's Hidden Blade seemingly aims for a perfect balance between tradition and innovation. With dual functionality for both stealth and open combat, it reinforces the series' classic stealth playstyle while offering diverse gameplay opportunities. Whether players embrace the Hidden Blade's silent lethality or wield it alongside a Tanto in the open heat of battle, its role in Assassin's Creed Shadows will likely be a significant part of Naoe's journey. As for its role in the narrative, fans will have to wait until launch to see how this latest iteration of the Hidden Blade cements itself as a part of Assassin's Creed history.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- March 20, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
