Unlock Every Ending in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows Guide

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Ending Explained

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has a multifaceted ending that ties up multiple plotlines before the credits roll. An intriguing epilogue follows, rewarding players with some of the game’s best equipment for Naoe. The ending is linear, making it possible—and preferable—to complete everything in one playthrough.

Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

The primary objective in the game revolves around defeating the antagonist, the Shinbakufu. The first segment of the ending is dedicated to fulfilling this goal. Once that’s tackled, both Naoe and Yasuke have their individual narratives to conclude, allowing players some flexibility in how they do this. To wrap things up, players must also complete side quests featuring Junjiro, the child residing in the hideout throughout the game.

How to Achieve the Shinbakufu Ending

Target Every Shinbakufu Member

You’ll devote most of your time in Assassin’s Creed working through the Shinbakufu targets, each accompanied by its own quests. While there’s no strict order to follow for these targets, some will need to be prioritized. Avoid taking on tougher challenges until you’re sufficiently prepared.

Here’s a rundown of the targets:

After dealing with the Shinbakufu’s last two members, The Two-Faced and The Horseman, players can finish their quests without worry—a true endgame experience, as you won’t trigger the final credits until both Naoe and Yasuke’s stories are resolved. If players haven’t acquired key lore by then, Yoshiaki will provide a summary.

Achieving Naoe’s Ending

Learn Naoe’s Story

Naoe’s conclusion is simpler compared to Yasuke’s, involving a minor, optional combat scenario rather than an extensive showdown. To reach Naoe’s finale, you must individually clear four distinct quests, but other associated quests focusing on Assassin Outposts are not mandatory. If you skip them, you can still access "The Meaning of the Blade" when meeting The Horseman.

Here are the necessary quests for Naoe:

1. Before The Fall — Experience Naoe’s backstory at four Kuji-kiri locations.
2. Wolves and Foxes — Defend against foes at Uji Tawara and converse with Hattori Hanzo.
3. Secrets of the Blade — Investigate the Tomb of the Ancients.
4. The Meaning of the Blade — Enter the Sakafuneishi Ruins and talk to Hattori Hanzo.

In "The Meaning of the Blade," if not playing in Canon Mode, players can choose to either forgive or attack Hanzo, followed by another decision to forgive or kill him. Regardless of your choices, Hanzo’s fate remains unchanged, but you’ll only engage him if you opt for the kill during the mission. Upon completing this, credits will roll if you’ve finished the Shinbakufu storyline and Yasuke’s quests.

Obtaining Yasuke’s Ending

Hunt Down the Templars

Yasuke’s trajectory, while distinct from the Assassin Brotherhood, involves significantly more assassination work than Naoe’s. His quests only appear later in the game after making progress against the Shinbakufu, but you need not fear missing them. The first set of Yasuke’s required quests is:

1. Dark Waves, Black Ships — Retrieve a note in the Trading Port of Obama and light signal fires.
2. My Name is Yasuke — Confront pirates and eliminate Duarte de Melo.
3. The Path He Walks — Speak with Luis Frois.

Subsequently, players will undertake Templar quests, which will show up on the Objectives screen, directly beneath Shinbakufu tasks. Completing these quests automatically unlocks Yasuke’s ending. If you have also finished Naoe’s storyline, you’ll see the credits roll here too.

Here’s what Yasuke has to tackle:

1. Fighting for the Cause — Follow Kumabe Ujie to Kimura Kei and eliminate the Templar.
2. The Silver Queen — Meet the Silver Queen in Tada.
3. A Promise — Rescue Akechi Mitsuyoshi and retrieve his katana.
4. End of the Line — Defeat Nuno Caro and his henchmen.

Yasuke excels at duels, but ensure you prepare for the large-scale confrontation during "Fighting for the Cause"—this event involves battling a school filled with acolytes. "The Silver Queen" and "A Promise" include more exploration, so you might miss Naoe’s Eagle Vision while accomplishing them.

Accessing the Epilogue Ending

Finish Junjiro’s Quests

The epilogue can only be approached after the credits roll, but you can initiate certain quests earlier. Most will appear under Junjiro on the Objectives screen, with one exception: "Out of the Shadows" will show up under Tomiko once you finish the others.

Here’s the checklist for completing Junjiro’s tasks:

1. Raise a Cup — Meet at a campfire in the hideout.
2. Eyes on the Future — Find a tanuki for Junjiro.
3. A Different Kind of Samurai — Perform kata for Junjiro as Yasuke.
4. Soup for Sorin — Help Junjiro gather ingredients for soup.
5. The Pilgrimage — Locate Sorin and converse with him.
6. Leaving a Mark — Discover Junjiro’s banner in the hideout.
7. Out of the Shadows — Talk with Tomiko and others in the hideout.

Like how Shinbakufu tasks ignite Naoe and Yasuke’s stories, reaching the credits will set Junjiro’s narratives in motion again. More details on how to reach the epilogue can be found in the guide for the best ending.

Once everything is concluded, expect a final cutscene that unlocks Naoe’s Master Assassin gear, empowering her with benefits for quicker enemy takedowns. The epilogue neatly ties together the main plot of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, leaving you free to explore any remaining objectives or side content that pique your interest.