Assassin’s Creed Shadowshas launched to practically perfect reviews from most critics, in large part thanks to its refining of theAssassin’s Creedformula, stronger writing, and its excellent dual protagonists. Naturally, when something is this good, people aren’t content just sitting with it, as fans are eagerly anticipating the game’s planned DLC releases. So far, Ubisoft has only confirmed a single expansion forAssassin’s Creed Shadows, which is the rather spooky-lookingClaws of Awaji. However, it is possible it could add more if the game proves to be a success.
For now, players will have to be satisfied with waiting patiently forClaws of Awaji’stentative 2025 release date. There’s already a lot weknow aboutClaws of Awaji, but Ubisoft has remained somewhat tight-lipped about the DLC, only briefly showcasing footage from it in the pre-order bonus trailer forAssassin’s Creed Shadows. However, that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating about what it could include, or, perhaps more importantly,what features theClaws of AwajiDLC should include in order to succeed.
10A Densely Packed Open World
If It Is Small, It Must Be Detailed
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Claws of Awaji’sopen-world is significantly smaller than the base game, for obvious reasons. It’s just a single island off the coast of Japan, meaning that, while likely big enough, it won’t take players long to venture from one end to the other. That’s fairly standard with most DLCs, and nothing that players should worry about, especially as it’ll likely still be a fun and interesting locale to explore anyway, andAC Shadows’world is smallerthan previousAssassin’s Creedgames anyway.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: 5 Biggest Differences Between Playing Naoe Vs. Yasuke
There are some major differences between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and you should prepare for completely different experiences.
However,to compensate for the smaller map size,Claws of Awaji’sworld should feel more densely detailed. That’s not to say that the base game’s world isn’t packed with things to do and see, but the smaller space should lead to more curated and interesting content around every corner. That way, it won’t feel as small as the base game, ensuring players aren’t bored easily or disappointed for whatever reason, despite being literally smaller in size.
9A Fresh New Environment Type
It Can’t Look The Same As The Base Game’s World
In addition to being more densely packed,the world ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows’first DLC should feel distinct from the base game.Shadows’recreation of Japan is breathtaking at every turn, butClaws of Awajishouldn’t be more of the same.Ghost of Tsushimagot this right with its DLC,Iki Island, which took players to the vibrant and mysterious titular location that felt like a breath of fresh air and almost alien compared to the base game’s environments.
After spending potentially 80 hours playingAssassin’s Creed Shadows,players will want a change of pace inClaws of Awaji, and different environmental design could help with that. So far, screenshots have showcased similar-looking environments, but there’s certainly plenty of room for change, especially in the types of fauna and flora that we’ll see while exploring. Even if it manages to switch tone, it could dramatically shape the overall feeling of the map.
8More Traditional Narrative Structure
It Should Be More Linear
One of thefeaturesShadowskept fromValhallawas its narrative structure, which sees players venture to a new region and attempt to complete its story and beat its main boss. This segmented structure isn’t bad, and it definitely works inShadows, introducing a phenomenal cast of villains for players to contend with, and expertly getting people to visit specific locations at just the right time through the well-paced main story.
However, this structure is entirely dependent on a far lengthier experience to be pulled off successfully.Claws of Awaji’s10-hour lengthisn’t nearly long enough to share the same structure. As a result,it should return to the linear storytelling of past entries, unlikeMirageandValhalla. That way, not only do players get a satisfying story within the relatively short runtime, but they’re also not fatigued by more of the same.
7Good Integration With The Main Story
It Shouldn’t Feel Like A Separate Game
As well as changing its narrative structure,Claws of Awajishould also be well integrated withAssassin’s Creed Shadows’main story. It can’t feel like a separate game that players hop into whenever they want. Rather, it should feel like an extension ofShadows, offering more detail about its world and characters, further fleshing out Naoe and Yasuke’s relationship in meaningful ways, and adding flavor that helps contextualize events in the main story.
The best way of doing this is to have the DLC take place during the events of the main story, but not during a point at which it wouldn’t make sense for Naoe and Yasuke to take a break from their main adventure to pursue a side quest. Of course, it is also worth considering that most people will be playing this DLC after having already beatenAssassin’s Creed Shadows, so it’s important that Ubisoft consider this as well.
6A Compelling New Villain
They Should Be The Highlight
We don’t know much aboutClaws of Awaji’snarrative, nor who its main villain will be. However, it is crucial that they are handled well, as they will serve as the DLC’s highlight. Considering its shorter length,Claws of Awajiwill likely rely heavily on its main villain to propel the story and get players invested quickly. They’ve got to be antagonizing, mysterious, and, hopefully, very creepy, to compel players to continue through the DLC’s main story.
Considering thatClaws of Awajiis going for a more horror-focused tone, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a scarier side toShadows’villains. While, as aforementioned, we don’t know much yet,one can hope that Ubisoft manages to create another Vaas or even Joseph Seed withClaws of Awaji’svillainand leave a lasting impression on players after they’ve wrapped up its hopefully intriguing main narrative.
5A Horror Tone & Atmosphere
It’ll Help It Stand Out
The brief trailer that Ubisoft has released for theClaws of Awajitrailer points to a far more horror-focused tone than the base game. This is best seen inClaws of Awaji’scoolest feature, which has the enemy faction track Yasuke and Naoe, setting traps for them and hunting them down when they least expect it. To be pulled off effectively,Ubisoft needs to create a tense and scary atmosphere that keeps players endlessly on edge while exploring.
This can be done through environmental storytelling, like the foggy forest we saw in the trailer, as well as through spooky encounters with the main villain, and well-directed cutscenes filled with an unenviable sense of dread. Considering just how cinematicShadowscan be,Ubisoft absolutely has it in them to deliver a scary and tense DLC akin to the horrors players witnessed in several of theFar Crygames and even the terrifyingAssassin’s Creed SyndicateDLC,Jack the Ripper.
4Challenging New Enemy Types
They Need To Be More Challenging Than The Base Game
In orderto makeClaws of Awajia scary expansion, Ubisoft needs to make its central enemy faction actually challenging. Most players will be startingShadows’first DLC either after having already beaten the game, or at least part of the way through - depending on when it is set. As a result, they’ll have a lot of good gear, impressive weapons, and enough skills to get through most fights with ease.
To counter this,Claws of Awajineeds to be a genuinely challenging experience, one that feels almost unrelenting in its difficulty. It should be keeping players on their toes, offering an experience that tests everything fans have learned during their time withShadows. Of course, it shouldn’t be as difficult asDark Souls, but hard enough that those who’ve grown comfortable withAssassin’s Creed Shadows’combat suddenly wake up.
3New Interesting Skills
It Would Help Make Combat Feel Interesting
Of course, to makeClaws of Awaji’sharder difficulty more bearable,Ubisoft also needs to implement more skills for both Naoe and Yasuke. We know from the aforementioned trailer that there will be some new skills, but Ubisoft has yet to elaborate on exactly what they are. Fortunately,Assassin’s Creed Shadows’best skillsgive us hope that whatever Ubisoft has prepared forClaws of Awajiwill likely be game-changing.
All Voice Actors In Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Naoe, Yasuke, & More)
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is finally out and it’s got an uber-talented group of voice actors on its roster, some of whom you should recognize.
That’s important, as one ofAssassin’s Creed Shadows’biggest faultsis how its lengthy runtime can’t sustain its somewhat shallow combat. More skills would help to spice things up and keep combat interesting, while also giving players something to work towards as they explore this new region.New skills are an absolute must inClaws of Awajiif only to prevent its gameplay from feeling stale.
2The New Weapon Type Must Be Fun
The Bō Staff Should Add A Lot To Combat
In addition to new skills,Claws of Awajiis adding a brand-new weapon called the Bō. This is a two-handed staff that can be used to stun enemies and knock them off their feet, a powerful tool in the hands of Naoe and Yasuke. It is great to see Ubisoft introduce a new weapon type in the DLC, as it helps stave off the aforementioned staleness that could have plaguedClaws of Awaji’scombat if it had stuck rigidly to the base game’s weapon types.
However,it is crucial that Ubisoft make the Bō staff actually fun to use. If it ends up being an uninteresting weapon, then players will default to the weapons they’ve grown accustomed to, and that will lead toClaws of Awajibecoming boring. However, Ubisoft has a track record of introducing interesting weapon types in its DLCs, such as whenImmortals Fenyx Rising’sexpansion,Myths of the Eastern Realm, added a whole new combat style that was incredibly fun to use.
1New Unique Armor Sets
It Gives Players More Content To Unlock
Of course, an expansion wouldn’t be complete without some region-specific armor sets for players to unlock.New, well-designed armor is one of the best things to unlock inAssassin’s Creed Shadows, and theClaws of Awajiexpansion needs plenty of them. We’ve already got a good look at the terrifying armor of the enemy faction, and it would be great to get to unlock something similar for beating their leader.
Early Assassin’s Creed Shadows Mods Attempt To Make The Game Look Like Ghost Of Tsushima
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is here and players are already modding the shaders to look more like the feudal Japan of Ghost of Tsushima and Shōgun.
Really, any new armor sets would be welcome, as it would help flesh out those already available in the base game. Of course, there’s plenty more that Ubisoft needs to get right withClaws of Awaji, including pacing, narrative, mission structure, and more, but these features should help make it a more memorable experience that’s worth picking up. However, considering just how goodAssassin’s Creed Shadowsis, players likely don’t have anything to worry about when it comes to itsClaws of Awajiexpansion.
