Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Claws of Awaji Expansion: A ‘Spookier’ Experience Than the Base Game

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is just a couple of weeks away from hitting the shelves, but in the ever-curious gaming industry, the burning question is always, “what’s next?” Ubisoft has already hinted that the game’s post-launch support will take a different path from that of Valhalla. Associate game director Simon Lemay-Comtois shared with us that while there are some special events and extra content lined up post-launch, their primary focus will be on enhancing the community’s experience through “quality-of-life upgrades, gameplay tweaks, and additional options.” Among the post-launch plans, the Claws of Awaji DLC is already on the roster and is available for free to those who pre-order the base game.

The Claws of Awaji DLC promises an intense experience where players will “feel the fear of being hunted” on a mysterious island, all while hunting down a lost treasure. It introduces a new weapon type for Naoe, the Bo Staff, along with new skills, gear, abilities, and over ten hours of fresh content. Ubisoft is currently zeroed in on getting Assassin’s Creed Shadows ready for launch. However, during our discussion with Lemay-Comtois and creative director Jonathan Dumont, we managed to uncover some details about this exciting DLC.

Dumont elaborated that while AC Shadows wraps up with a definitive ending, there’s always room for more story exploration. The Claws of Awaji DLC unfolds after the main storyline concludes, steering clear of flashbacks or parallel timelines seen in recent story DLCs. This extension continues Naoe and Yasuke’s adventure, adding a “spookier” twist, as Dumont described, adding that it carries “a different vibe, a bit spookier I would say.”

Lemay-Comtois also revealed insights into the Bo Staff and the Sanzoku Ippa. The Bo Staff offers Naoe a new dimension in combat, allowing her to switch up her damage type, including some new non-lethal tactics. Whether or not these options alter the storyline remains a mystery as players face a new formidable foe: the Sanzoku Ippa.

In the lead-up to the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the Shinbakufu has been spotlighted as the main antagonist group. However, Dumont hinted they’re just one of several shadow factions competing for dominance in the game’s narrative. Whether the Sanzoku Ippa will play a significant role remains to be seen, though they share a striking resemblance to the Assassins. As Lemay-Comtois puts it, “The Sanzoku Ippa are well-engrained in the goings-on of Awaji island. They’re known to use tactics not too dissimilar to the players’ – including creative use of counter-intelligence measures…”

The base game introduces a spy network system, so it will be intriguing to see if the Claws of Awaji DLC leverages this feature to challenge players. While the counter-intelligence implications remain uncertain, what’s evident is that Assassin’s Creed Shadows is only the beginning for Ubisoft’s latest foray, and the horizon holds promising developments. The quintessential “what’s next?” remains a big question, yet Ubisoft seems poised to provide some exciting answers.