Fire Up Your PS5 with Karl-Anthony Towns on Assassin's Creed Shadows
Karl-Anthony Towns Embraces "Warrior Mindset" during Assassin's Creed Shadows Interview
Ever wondered what it'd be like to team up with a NBA star and a gaming giant like Ubisoft? Well, we did just that! We sat down with Karl-Anthony Towns, the starting Center for the New York Knicks, to dish out all the juicy details about his experience with Assassin's Creed Shadows.
In this exclusive interview, we talk about Karl-Anthony's first-hand encounter with the game, the unique aspects of the two playable protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, and why you'll want to swap between them faster than a pick-and-roll.
Massimo Marchiano: How long have you been playing Assassin's Creed? What was your first game in the series?
K-AT: "I got my hands on the OG title on my PS3, but it was Brotherhood that made me a lifelong fan. I always loved playing it with my high school buddies."
With 14 main installments in the franchise and several spin-offs, mobile games, and a movie, Assassin's Creed has been a powerhouse since 2007, kickstarting with the original game.
The franchise revolves around the long-running battle between the Order of Assassins and the Templars. By using the Animus, players dive deep into the critical moments of these assassins' lives. But Assassin's Creed Shadows offers something distinctive—two playable protagonists: Naoe and Yasuke.
Naoe embodies the classic stealthy assassin, while Yasuke, a brutish Samurai, showcases unparalleled levels of power. With Yasuke, Assassin's Creed Shadows presents a twist—you're no longer the secretive shadow lurking in the dark; you're the one everyone wants to sneak around.
MM: What was it like to team up with Ubisoft for the launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows?
K-AT: "Being a massive fan and experiencing the game before most was an honor."
MM: What have you enjoyed most about Shadows so far?
K-AT: "There are so many aspects: the scenery is jaw-dropping, taking me back to the trip Jordyn and I took to Japan last summer. Plus, being able to switch between Naoe and Yasuke and choosing between strength or stealth is gold."
Assassin's Creed Shadows takes place in feudal Japan in 1579, with nine different regions that aim to accurately represent the geography and culture of the setting. And not just that—it features real historical figures, like Oda Nobunaga, and introduces the game's protagonist, Yasuke.
In the reality of 16th-century Japan, Yasuke was an African Samurai who served Oda Nobunaga. His incorporation as a protagonist in Assassin's Creed Shadows brings a unique twist to the game, allowing for an immersive historical experience.
MM: As someone who's been to Japan before, how close do you think the developers got to matching the authenticity of Japan's geography and culture?
K-AT: "I can't stop raving about how beautiful and realistic the scenery is; they really nailed the culture of the 1500's. Shadows reminds me of my amazing experiences in Japan."
MM: Yasuke and Naoe are both unique protagonists, but is there one you prefer to play as?
K-AT: "I'd say Yasuke. Strength over stealth every time."
The undercover strength of Yasuke makes him capable of taking down any foe with ease. As the story progresses, more abilities unlock, making Yasuke even stronger. Meanwhile, Naoe struggles when fighting a crowd but is an exceptional assassin if given the opportunity.
MM: Being a 5x NBA All-Star is pretty sweet. But if you had to choose, would you rather be a Samurai or Ninja?
K-AT: "Definitely Samurai. With my size I don't know if I could pull off being a sneaky Ninja. I've got the warrior mindset going on."
In Assassin's Creed Shadows, players can switch between Yasuke and Naoe as the story unfolds. Both characters and their stories intertwine, resulting in a game unlike anything else in the AC franchise.
And if you want to make your mark in the Assassin's Creed universe, you'd better keep an eye on Karl-Anthony Towns — who knows, maybe he'll be taking things into his own hands someday.
Trivia Time:
- Fujibayashi Naoe and Yasuke are the two main protagonists in Assassin's Creed Shadows. Naoe is a kunoichi, a female ninja, while Yasuke is an African Samurai who served Oda Nobunaga.
- The game is set during the Sengoku period of Japan, known for being a time of widespread violence and political chaos.
- Assassin's Creed Shadows introduces new features like Shadow Manipulation, Parkour moves, and an Observe mode. These features allow players to blend in with the shadows, climb buildings, and gather intel on targets quickly.
- The collaboration between NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns and gaming giant Ubisoft was memorable, as they discussed Assassin's Creed Shadows, a game that stands out in the series with its two playable protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke.
- In this game, traditional Assassin's Creed stealth is complemented by Yasuke, a powerful Samurai character, introducing a twist where players are no longer the secretive shadows but the ones everyone tries to avoid.
- Karl-Anthony Towns, a basketball player, appreciated the sports-like element of switching between characters, Naoe and Yasuke, reflecting a strategic decision between strength and stealth, much like in a pick-and-roll basketball play.
- Assassin's Creed Shadows takes players to feudal Japan in 1579, immersing them in the geography, culture, and historical figures of the time, with Yasuke, an African Samurai, being one of the key protagonists.
