Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Romance Options and Guide

In *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*, the fog of Feudal Japan isn’t just filled with intrigue and combat—it also carries whispers of romance. Depending on your choices, players can engage in romantic relationships with select characters, adding emotional depth and personal stakes to the journey. Whether you're looking for a fleeting fling or a deeper connection, here's everything you need to know about how romance works in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows* and who you can pursue.

How Does Romance Work in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*?

Romance has been part of the Assassin’s Creed series since Odyssey and continued into Valhalla, but Shadows introduces its own nuanced take. Unlike previous titles, both protagonists—Naoe and Yasuke—have the ability to form romantic bonds with certain characters.

What makes Shadows unique is that players have agency over the nature of these relationships. Whether it's a brief romantic encounter or a long-term emotional bond, your decisions shape the outcome. Even if you choose to play in canon mode, you still retain the freedom to explore different romantic paths.

How To Start a Romance in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*

Building a romantic relationship begins during recruitment quests. As you guide Naoe or Yasuke through the process of earning an ally’s trust, opportunities for flirtation and emotional connection will arise.

Key moments are clearly marked by visual cues: dialogue options that progress a potential romance feature a heart icon. Choosing these options helps build intimacy. As the relationship develops, the heart icon may evolve into one pierced by Cupid’s arrow, signaling a pivotal point in the relationship.

It's worth noting that choosing not to pursue a romantic option early on doesn't permanently close the door—but later decisions can be more impactful. Some turning points are flagged with on-screen prompts, letting you know your choice will affect the character's feelings.

Be cautious: as one player discovered, skipping a flirtatious response with Gennojo early in the game could lead to rejection later, even after trying to make amends. So, it's wise to keep your options open until you’re ready to commit.

Who Can You Romance in *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*?

Each protagonist has their own set of potential love interests, with writing that leans more heavily into some relationships than others. The game supports both heterosexual and same-sex romances.

Here are confirmed romantic options so far:

• Naoe can romance Gennojo
• Naoe can romance Katsuhime
• Yasuke can romance Lady Oichi

These connections add another layer of immersion and emotional storytelling to your playthrough, making each decision feel meaningful.

Related: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Trophy List (All 55 Trophies)

That’s all you need to know about romance in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Whether you're chasing hearts or just sharpening your blade, don’t miss the chance to explore the emotional side of the story.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.