10 Hidden Video Game Mechanics With MAJOR Consequences

10. Hidden Reputation Can Cost You Allies - Assassin's Creed Shadows

Although Naoe and Yasuke are feudal Japan’s powerhouses, Assassin’s Creed Shadows allows you to recruit allies that can aid them in battle with special abilities.

There are six recruitable NPCs in the game, but what the game doesn’t tell you is that some of them may not want to join you due to a secret reputation mechanic.

Despite being an Assassin, you don’t actually have to kill every enemy you encounter, and in fact, you shouldn’t. This is because several of the NPCs you can recruit will not join you if they consider you too bloodthirsty or they realize you’ve murdered something specific.

The mechanic can come as a shock, considering there is really not much difference between a lethal and non-lethal playthrough in most other aspects of the game. It’s an even bigger surprise to find out not being a pacifist can cost you someone with a really useful skill.

It’s not just Naoe who deals with the heavy guilt of taking people’s lives. You can also end up regretting being a murderous bastard, although it will probably be for more pragmatic, gameplay-related reasons.