Ubisoft has released Claws of Awaji, the first major expansion for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, available now on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC (Ubisoft Store, Steam, Epic Games Store), macOS, and Amazon Luna. The expansion is free for players who pre-ordered the game, available as part of the Ubisoft+ subscription, or can be purchased standalone for $25.
A New Journey to the Island of Awaji
Developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, Claws of Awaji delivers over 10 hours of new story content, picking up after the events of the base game. The narrative follows Naoe and Yasuke as they investigate a mysterious shinobi presence on Awaji, only to encounter the ruthless Sanzoku Ippa faction. The island offers vibrant cities, dangerous coastlines, and traps lurking in the shadows, ensuring the expansion’s atmosphere is as tense as it is beautiful.
New Skills, Weapons, and Enemies
Players can expect a range of new upgrades, including skills, weapon abilities, armor, and gear for both protagonists, all of which carry over into the main game. Among the highlights is the Bo Staff, a new weapon for Naoe, unlocked through a free quest for all Shadows players. The expansion also introduces Legendary Bo staves, exclusive to Awaji, that feature unique engravings.
On top of new gear, Claws of Awaji expands the roster of enemies with fresh enemy types and boss encounters designed to push players’ combat and stealth mastery.
Built on Player Feedback
The release of Claws of Awaji comes after several updates to Assassin’s Creed Shadows, including New Game+, Nightmare difficulty, and recent quality-of-life improvements like time skipping and automatic fog clearing after synchronization. These additions, combined with the new expansion, reflect Ubisoft’s ongoing post-launch support.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Today
For those yet to dive into the base game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is currently discounted by up to 40% across the Ubisoft Store and other platforms. The game continues Ubisoft’s tradition of blending history and storytelling, this time set in feudal Japan, with players taking control of Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a samurai warrior, each with distinct playstyles and abilities.
Learn more about Assassin’s Creed Shadows at Ubisoft’s website.
