If you are buying Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji, then make sure to look at these five important points before investing!
If you’re thinking of diving into Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji, then hold on! Before you empty your wallet, it would be wise to do a bit of research about the DLC, right? Unless you got it for free with the Assassin’s Creed Shadows pre-order, it would be wise what to expect and what not.
This Assassin’s Creed Shadows DLC tries to give players one last samurai-sized slice of the action, but whether it’s worth your time (and your sanity) is another matter entirely. The island of Awaji is gorgeous, no doubt, but it also hides a fair amount of chaos under its misty charm. Before you rush to buy it, here are five things you should seriously consider.
Before you continue, you can read our full review of Assassin’s Creed Shadows here.
1. The bo staff is the star of the show, and that’s pretty much it
The one thing Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji really wants you to notice: the shiny new bo staff. It’s a fun weapon, no doubt. Smacking samurai across the head with a wooden stick has its moments, and the animations look fluid. But beyond that, there’s not much that feels fresh. The bo staff has its own move set, but the overall combat rhythm remains exactly what you had already experienced in Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Sure, Ubisoft calls it a “new playstyle,” but most players are calling it what it really is: the same old thing, now with extra whacks. If you’re hoping the Assassin’s Creed Shadows DLC would reinvent stealth or overhaul combat, you should limit your expectations. This is a familiar dance, just with a different instrument.
2. It’s harder, but not in a smart or meaningful way
You’d think difficulty in a samurai-themed expansion would feel grounded in honor duels or strategic combat, right? Not here. The difficulty spike in Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji feels less like a test of skill and more like a sneaky way to make you spend extra hours replaying certain sections and boss fights. Enemies take longer to die, bosses hit like meteor showers, and the AI suddenly develops superhuman reflexes.
And here’s the weird part. The story doesn’t even justify it. You’re not fighting supernatural monsters or godlike creatures. You’re fighting regular warlords, bandits, and soldiers. When an outlaw with a rusty blade suddenly survives five sword strikes, but is able to take you out in two strikes, it doesn’t feel immersive. It feels like Ubisoft’s attempt to make you grind more for “value.” Difficulty can be rewarding, but when it feels forced, it just becomes annoying.
3. The visuals are undeniably stunning
We must give credit where it’s due, the island of Awaji is breathtaking. This Assassin’s Creed Shadows DLC nails when it comes to visuals and atmosphere. Misty forests, soft rays of sunlight piercing through bamboo groves, reflections on still ponds, it looks so stunning that you might want to spend some time just enjoying the beauty. It’s the kind of place you could happily get lost in, provided the game doesn’t crash first.
The environmental artists clearly put their hearts into this expansion. You can almost feel the humidity of the forests and hear the distant calls of birds echoing through the fog. Even the enemy forts and shrines have a level of detail that makes wandering around enjoyable. Visually, Assassin’s Creed Claws of Awaji is a painting come to life.
4. The bugs are back, and they brought friends
Ah yes, the Assassin’s Creed tradition lives on. A brand-new expansion, a brand-new collection of bugs. Players have reported crashes, texture flickers, broken animations, missing dialogue, and even the occasional vanishing NPC. The DLC’s launch on Steam went about as smoothly as a horse trying to climb a ladder.
It’s frustrating because the atmosphere and setting is pointless without full immersion, yet the game keeps reminding you that you’re in a digital sandbox held together with duct tape. Ubisoft has released a few patches, but as of now, reports of instability are still common. If your idea of fun includes mid-mission crashes or invisible enemies, you’ll feel right at home. So unless you are ready to face few crashes and bugs, it would be wise to wait for few weeks or months, till they are all fixed.
5. The story promises more than it delivers
The marketing teased this as the DLC that would finally lean into the classic Assassin vs Templar conflict, the philosophical duel that made Assassin’s Creed famous. But Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji mostly plays it safe. Yes, the pacing is tighter, and yes, a few loose threads from the base game are tied up. But the narrative still feels basic, with emotional beats that don’t quite hit. Unfortunately, you struggle to feel any connection with the main characters even slightly.
Instead of exploring deep moral conflicts or meaningful choices, the plot settles for another “take down three bosses one at a time” structure. It’s not terrible, just painfully predictable and repetitive. Even the supposed revelations about Naoe’s mother and the hidden war feel like missed opportunities. The DLC had a chance to close Shadows on a powerful note. Instead, it fades out quietly.
Final Thoughts
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji is a strange mix of brilliance and frustration. It looks gorgeous, the bo staff is fun for a while, and the island of Awaji is worth exploring just for the visuals and the vibes. But between recycled gameplay, questionable difficulty spikes, technical hiccups, and a story that can’t decide whether it wants to be meaningful or just “more content,” it’s hard to call this a must-buy.
If you already loved Assassin’s Creed Shadows, you’ll probably find something to enjoy here once they release the patches and fix everything. But if you were hoping this DLC would reinvent the experience, prepare to be disappointed.
Without a doubt, it’s a beautiful expansion with a lot of déjà vu. At worst, it’s another reminder that Ubisoft loves making long games, even when they don’t have much new to say.
