Summary
- Assassin's Creed Shadows' DLC, Claws of Awaji, provides over 10 hours of new content, including a new region and weapon type.
- Game delays have allowed Ubisoft Quebec to polish Assassin's Creed Shadows, with positive hands-on previews.
- The expansion, developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, adds a new faction and quests for gamers who pre-order the main game.
With almost two months until Assassin's Creed Shadows is set to launch, Ubisoft has already revealed details about its first expansion. The upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows DLC is titled Claws of Awaji, bringing over 10 hours of additional content to the game.
The lead-up to Assassin's Creed Shadows' release has been fraught with controversy. It has been met with several delays, with Ubisoft seemingly desperate to nail this one, especially given its recent struggles with titles such as Star Wars Outlaws. The latest delay pushed Assassin's Creed Shadows' release until March 20, giving Ubisoft Quebec a little extra time to polish things off. The good news is that hands-on previews of Assassin's Creed Shadows have been largely positive, and hopefully it can carry this momentum into the full release.
Assassin's Creed Shadows: The Animus Hub Finally Explained
Initially known by its codename 'Infinity,' the Animus Hub has finally been explained by Ubisoft, including details about its purpose and features.
The Ubisoft website has revealed tons of interesting details about Assassin's Creed Shadows' first major expansion, titled Claws of Awaji. Players will head to a new region, Awaji, where they will be "hunted by a new faction" called the Sanzoku Ippa and face the "ambushes of deadly new foes." It will also bring the Bō, a new weapon type for Naoe to master, with Ubisoft claiming Claws of Awaji will add over 10 hours of new content to Assassin's Creed Shadows. Gamers who pre-order any version of Assassin's Creed Shadows will get Claws of Awaji for free upon its release, although it will also be available for purchase for those who don't.
Ubisoft Reveals Assassin's Creed Shadows' Claws of Awaji Expansion
That's not all, though. It has also been confirmed that the expansion is being developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, the studio behind Assassin's Creed Mirage. This frees up Ubisoft Quebec to focus on polishing the content in the main game prior to release. No exact date has been given for the launch of Claws of Awaji, beyond a vague "later in 2025." Players who pre-order the game will get another perk, too. Alongside the Claws of Awaji expansion, gamers who pre-order Assassin's Creed Shadows will also get access to the Thrown to the Dogs bonus quest upon release.
The launch of Assassin's Creed Shadows is going to be an important moment for Ubisoft. After the struggling sales of Star Wars Outlaws, the company needs a win, pinning its hopes on its flagship franchise in Assassin's Creed. It will certainly be interesting to watch, that's for sure.
Assassin's Creed Shadows
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 82%
- Released
- March 20, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Quebec
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience an epic historical action-adventure story set in feudal Japan! Become a lethal shinobi Assassin and a powerful legendary samurai as you explore a beautiful open world in a time of chaos. Switch seamlessly between two unlikely allies as you discover their common destiny. Master complementary playstyles, create your shinobi league, customize your hideout, and usher in a new era for Japan.
• Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
• Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
• Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
• Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
- Engine
- AnvilNext
- Franchise
- Assassin's Creed
- Number of Players
- 1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- March 20, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
