A Guide to 'Before the Fall' in Assassin's Creed Shadows: Mastering Naoe's Memories

Alright, listen up, fellow gamers and aspiring shinobi! It's 2026, and if you're diving into the rich, tumultuous world of Assassin's Creed Shadows, you've probably stumbled upon one of its most intriguing narrative threads: the 'Before the Fall' quest. Think of it as Naoe's personal, playable diary, a series of flashbacks that show you what made her the badass she is before the main game even kicks off. It's not just filler, folks—it's a masterclass in backstory and mechanics, served with a side of meditative button-mashing. So, grab your hidden blade (or kusarigama) and let's get into the nitty-gritty of unlocking Naoe's past.

How To Start Before The Fall: The Zen and the Art of Button Prompts

First things first, you can't just waltz into these memories. You gotta earn them through zen, or at least the video game equivalent. After you've wrapped up the main intro and Naoe has recovered from her injuries in 'An Unpayable Debt,' the door to her past cracks open. The quest won't officially pop in your journal until you visit The Hideout, but who waits for formalities? You're a proactive assassin!

The key lies in Kuji-Kiri locations scattered across the map. In real life, Kuji-Kiri is a spiritual hand-gesture thing; in Shadows, it's a chill (or not-so-chill, depending on your reflexes) quick-time event mini-game. You'll see a prompt like the one below.

Press the buttons as they light up, and for heaven's sake, memorize the pattern, because the prompts will vanish and you'll need to keep the sequence going. It's like a rhythm game for ninjas. Complete any four of these, in any order, and bam—you're whisked away into a chapter of 'Before the Fall.' Each one is a memory sequence triggered by Naoe's meditation. Pretty slick, huh?

Memory One: Shinobi Warfare (1579) - Welcome to the Jungle

Set two years before the main story, this chapter is your 'welcome to the party, pal' moment. You're with Naoe's aunt, the formidable Matsu, getting a history lesson on Oda Nobunaga's rise. After a chat with Momochi (where your dialogue choices are purely for flavor, no stress), you get your first real stealth test: sneak through the Nagano Pass undetected.

Here’s the deal: use foliage. Crouch in bushes, go prone in tall grass. There's a difference, and knowing it is the difference between a silent approach and getting a spear in the back. If you're spotted, don't panic—just leg it, break line of sight, and hide again to reset the enemies. They're not the brightest candles in the castle.

The area gets hotter with more patrols, but soon, other Iga shinobi join the fray, leading to a cinematic ambush and your first boss fight: an Oda Brute. This guy hits like a truck. Watch for his weapon flashing blue—that's your cue to parry those multi-hit combos. Dodge his unblockable kick (seriously, don't try to block it), and counter-attack during his recovery. Defeat him, and chapter one is in the bag. You've just survived your first major scrape. Not bad, rookie.

Chapter 2: After the First Invasion; Mind and Body - The Scroll Hunt

Fast-forward five months. You're chatting with Naoe's dad (more immersive, consequence-free dialogue), doing another Kuji-Kiri, and then Auntie Matsu sends you on an errand: fetch a hidden training scroll. It's a classic 'retrieve the macguffin' mission, set in a lightly guarded shrine.

You can go in swords swinging, but this is a perfect sandbox to polish those stealth skills. Take out the guards quietly or sneak past them. The scroll is tucked inside the pagoda on the shrine's far right. Grab it, return it to Nagato, and consider your shinobi training slightly advanced. Easy peasy.

Chapter 3: A True Igan - Stealth 101 (Or 201)

This chapter is where the game goes, 'Okay, you've played around. Now let's get serious about stealth.' It's a dedicated infiltration sequence, though the game won't slap your wrist if you go loud—you just might have a harder time.

Your target: a fortress. Descend the mountain, follow the road until you see the castle towers, and then use the left-side approach. Fallen trees and Naoe's shiny new grappling hook are your tickets inside. Once on the tower, drop down and use bushes to sneak across a bridge.

Inside, you'll do some classic eavesdropping, learning about Oda's occupation. Stick to the rooftops (the assassin's highway) to reach another listening post, where you'll hear about a fallen comrade. Your final task is to climb to the top of a tower, interact with the body, and report back to Sandayu. It's a somber mission that builds the world and hones your parkour and stealth. A real 'show, don't tell' moment.

Chapter 4: Traditions - The Proving Ground

The final memory jumps ahead two years. Dialogue choices still don't matter for the outcome, so role-play to your heart's content. This chapter is your graduation exam. You follow Nagato to a duel against Fujita Juro—a one-on-one fight to prove your worth to the ikki.

Win the duel (use all those parry and dodge skills you've learned), and then it's off to a fortress. You can sneak or fight your way past the exterior guards. Use that trusty grappling hook to scale the outer wall, then listen in on enemy troops for intel—Oda's forces are on the move.

Navigate via rooftops to avoid patrols, heading to the southeastern building. Your target: Oda's plans. Retrieve them, watch the poignant concluding cutscene, and just like that, the 'Before the Fall' questline wraps up. You've walked a mile in Naoe's younger shoes.

Post-Quest: The Path to Zen Master

So, you've finished the four chapters. What now? Well, those Kuji-Kiri locations are still out there. Completing more won't trigger new memories, but each one grants a precious Knowledge Point to spend on your mastery paths. And for the completionists out there, finding and meditating at all twenty-two Kuji-Kiri locations unlocks the coveted 'Zen Master' achievement. It's the game's way of saying, 'You've truly found inner peace... through repetitive button pressing.'

Quick Recap & Pro Tips:

• Quest Start: After main intro recovery. Find Kuji-Kiri spots (meditation QTEs).

• Stealth is Key: Know your cover: bushes (crouch) vs. tall grass (prone).

• Combat: Parry blue-flashing attacks, dodge unblockables (especially kicks!).

• Exploration: The chapters double as tutorials. Use them to learn the map and mechanics.

• Rewards: Four core story chapters, then Knowledge Points for extra Kuji-Kiri.

In the end, 'Before the Fall' is more than a side quest; it's an essential piece of Assassin's Creed Shadows. It deepens Naoe's character, seamlessly teaches you the ropes, and offers those sweet, sweet completionist rewards. So get out there, find your zen, and unlock the past. Happy hunting, shinobi! 🎮