Who can you romance in Assassin’s Creed Shadows? Naoe and Yasuke are more than proficient at stabbing their foes through the heart, and they can work on filling their own with love while venturing across Japan.
Ubisoft is bringing back romance once more in AC Shadows quests is simple work, as dialog options leading down that route are denoted with a love heart – how lovely. To find out who the lucky recipients of your affections are and how their character arcs pan out (major spoilers ahead), read on. Just to note, Canon Mode will not let you select romance options, so keep it turned off.
Here are all the main Assassin’s Creed Shadows romance options:
- Gennojo
- Katsuhime
- Lady Oichi
- Ibuki
Gennojo (Naoe)
Naoe has two romance options open to her, and you can pursue both to their fullest without any repercussions. The first is everyone’s favorite womanizing rogue, Gennojo.
Your first encounter with Gennojo is hardly a romantic one as you take your blade to him in the mission ‘Missing Missive.’ However, sparks quickly begin to fly during the cutscene that plays after killing The Fool in ‘Lost Honor.’ Gennojo flirts that you’re “good together,” to which you absolutely should respond: “You might be right.”
At this point, you’ll unlock Gennojo’s dedicated quest chain, kicking off with ‘Sake and Swords.’ Our favorite drunkard can be found on the streets of Ogura Pond, and even while inebriated, Gennojo can still spin an innuendo or two. As it transpires, the locals are starving because the gentry are hoarding their food.
As the pair work together to reclaim rice for the people, they grow closer, culminating in Gennojo showcasing his hidden blade skills to Naoe in ‘Stolen Hearts.’ While this seems all par for the course, we eventually come to learn of Gennojo’s tragic past – the reason he turned to booze and debauchery, and his primary driver for vengeance. Though Naoe and Gennojo don’t end up together in the traditional sense, she does help him confront his demons, before recruiting him into the league.
When asked whether to stop or soothe Gennojo in ‘The Godless Harvest,’ opt for the latter.
Katsuhime (Naoe)
The teppo-wielding shinobi is as good at firing off pick-up lines as she is at firing rifles. First encountered during the ‘Showdown in Sakamoto’ quest, Katsuhime is quick to query whether Naoe’s love for dangerous things extends to women. After killing off The Naginata, Katsuhime takes an interest in the league.
Our romantic conquest for Katsuhime begins in earnest in ‘Letter From Katsuhime.’ While the grave of her former teppo master isn’t the most romantic of rendezvous spots, that doesn’t stop our gals from having a flirty back-and-forth.
Of course, every blossoming romance needs a catalyst, and what better way to bring the pair closer than a kidnapping? The family of Katsuhime’s master has been taken captive, and she needs to rescue them. When all is said and done, Katsuhime invites Naoe to Wakasa’s sandy beaches for some alone time in ‘The Jounin Pillow Book’. At the quest’s end, the pair commit to each other in earnest.
Lady Oichi (Yasuke)
Lady Oichi is Oda Nobunaga’s sister who we first meet during Yasuke flashback mission, ‘An Education.’ The dignitary takes a special interest in our rugged samurai-in-training as he’s put through his paces by his sensei, Kamiizumi Nobutsuna. After asking how Yasuke’s fairing on his own, picking the “some company might be nice” option yields a universal truth in response: “a strong warrior never lacks in irers.” ‘Best get training,’ Yasuke supposes.
In ‘A Talk With a Lady,’ the pair reunite. Though there isn’t specific dialog to pick from here, the chemistry between them is immediately noticeable – something Naoe teases Yasuke about after Lady Oichi departs.
Yasuke later s Lady Oichi for a relaxing boat trip to Shirahige Shrine in ‘A Prayer For Omi.’ After paying respects to her brother, and finishing the next phase of Yasuke’s samurai education (or so she put it), Lady Oichi poses the question of how Yasuke would spend his last night knowing his castle would fall tomorrow. The correct answer is “I would spend my last night with you.” Unfortunately, despite Lady Oichi offering up a big ol’ grin, she laments that “it can never be” – tragic.
During ‘The Wheel Unmasked,’ it’s revealed that Lady Oichi has gotten herself wrapped up with The Mourner – one of the AC Shadows bosses. Regardless of how you choose to handle this, the outcome is ultimately the same, so don’t sweat the details here. After handing over her brother’s katana, Lady Oichi peaces out for some post-evil R&R. Ever perceptive, Naoe tells Yasuke that “Lady Oichi likes you. And you like her.” The issue of social standing still stands, but that won’t stop Yasuke from getting what he wants…
We once again see Lady Oichi in flashback mission ‘Lords of Azuchi.’ Here she sees Yasuke off ahead of the Battle of Iga, giving him a horse that’s definitely from Oda Nobunaga as a parting gift.
The biggest development between the pair arrives in ‘The Wheel Turns,’ which is arguably the best quest in the game because it involves taking her on a trip to AC Shadows Hideout. Alternatively, he can let Oichi’s daughters keep it (the love heart option). Picking either option doesn’t impact the outcome, so nab the dog if you want it.
As for said outcome, Lady Oichi’s romance ends with the pair expressing their full feelings with one another as the sun sets, before Yasuke wakes up the next morning covered in cats. It doesn’t take a genius to realize what’s transpired.
Ibuki (Yasuke)
There are few better places to kick off a fiery romance than in the fires of revolution. Rebel Ronin Ibuki has a score to settle with their old daimyo, Nakatomi, who is currently ruling over their homeland in Iga with an iron fist. What’s more, their best friend is currently staring down the executioner’s blade in Nakatomi’s stronghold, so it’s time for Yasuke to help save the day.
A smooth talker with a visionary perspective on life, love, and everything in between, it’s no surprise Yasuke falls hopelessly for Ibuki as they work together to bring justice to the land. After recruiting them as your ally in ‘Homecoming’ – provided you don’t fumble the bag by picking the dialog options we outline in our allies guide – you’ll have the opportunity to impress Ibuki with some of their favorite flower seeds in ‘Putting Down Roots.’
Once you present this flowery gift to them, the pair will express their true feelings for one another, cementing their status as lovers.
And those are all the Assassin’s Creed Shadows romance options. For more Shadows content that’ll keep your brain as full as your heart, check out our comprehensive AC Shadows guides hub. Or, if you’re looking to make your own (platonic) connections, come and hang out in the official PCGamesN Discord server.