The latest expansion for the action role-playing game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, titled Claws of Awaji, offers a focused gaming experience that enhances the core elements of the base game. This significant update introduces players to a new island to explore, delivering a refined narrative and gameplay mechanics that are more engaging than those found in the original release.
Claws of Awaji provides over ten hours of gameplay, culminating in a proper conclusion for the protagonist, Naoe. This expansion is essential for players eager to wrap up the story arc presented in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The opening mission creatively sets the tone, featuring Naoe attending a puppet show alongside Junjiro, a spirited character from the Hideout. Here, players begin to uncover details about Naoe’s long-lost mother, Tsuyu, who is revealed to be a Master Assassin. This early mission shifts the gameplay into a 2.5D side-scrolling format, allowing players to navigate rooftops and engage in stealthy attacks.
Stealth and Exploration Redefined
Claws of Awaji emphasizes the shadow-based gameplay that many fans felt was underused in the main game. Players must extinguish lights and candles to approach enemies undetected, elevating the importance of stealth and parkour. The expansion’s design encourages players to spend more time in the shadows, which is facilitated by a more compact layout of villages, enemy camps, and forests.
Throughout the expansion, players engage with formidable captains patrolling the island, making encounters more challenging. The strategic layout of Claws of Awaji presents clear paths for stealthy navigation. The gameplay evokes an old-school Assassin’s Creed feeling, reminiscent of earlier titles in the franchise while differentiating itself from the chaotic experiences found in Shadows.
The narrative structure of Claws of Awaji revolves around several key targets, each with distinct challenges and thematic elements. For instance, one target, Nowaki, known for wielding a teppo, resides in a haunted forest filled with decoys, leading to an innovative boss fight that incorporates stealth mechanics. Players must also hunt down captains to weaken another seemingly invincible target, adding layers of strategy and depth to the gameplay.
Connecting with the Franchise’s Roots
Claws of Awaji doesn’t just offer new mechanics; it also pays homage to the series’ history. The expansion draws parallels with the Assassin’s Creed Chronicles series, which featured side-scrolling gameplay. While those titles may not have received widespread acclaim, they highlight the franchise’s evolution and remind players of its original focus on stealth and assassination.
This expansion successfully addresses some of the bloat often criticized in modern Assassin’s Creed titles. By offering a smaller, more curated environment, Claws of Awaji enhances the player experience, creating a more intentional design that many fans have longed for. The absence of numerous fast travel points encourages exploration and has resulted in a more immersive gameplay experience.
Despite the criticism surrounding the necessity of purchasing this final chapter as downloadable content, Claws of Awaji stands out as a compelling addition to the Assassin’s Creed franchise. It effectively utilizes the central mechanic of Shadows while presenting a narrative that resonates with the series’ core themes.
Ubisoft has an opportunity to learn from Claws of Awaji’s focused design. As players look ahead to future expansions or new titles, there is hope that the company can move away from the expansive, sometimes overwhelming open-world formats in favor of more intimate, handcrafted gaming experiences. Whether or not there will be additional major expansions for Shadows remains uncertain, but Claws of Awaji successfully encapsulates the essence of what made the series captivating for many fans.
