Assassin’s Creed Shadows is just a couple of weeks away from release, but if there is one question that is ever-prominent in the games industry, it’s “what’s next.” Ubisoft has already said that Assassin’s Creed Shadows‘ post-launch support will differ from Valhalla, with associate game director Simon Lemay-Comtois telling us that there are a few special events and additional content on their calendar, but the main plan is to list to and support the community with “quality-of-life upgrades, gameplay tweaks, and additional options.” One item already confirmed for Assassin’s Creed Shadows after launch is the Claws of Awaji DLC, free to those who pre-order the base game.
The Claws of Awaji DLC says players will “feel the fear of being hunted and under threat on a mysterious island,” while attempting to reclaim a lost treasure. It’ll introduce a new weapon type for Naoe, the Bo Staff, as well as new skills, gear, abilities, and ultimately, over 10 hours of new content. Ubisoft is understandably more focused on shipping Assassin’s Creed Shadows at the moment, but for Game Rant Advance, we did get a few new details on this upcoming DLC from Lemay-Comtois and creative director Jonathan Dumont.
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As Dumont explained, AC Shadows has a definitive ending, but there’s always more story to tell and explore. The Claws of Awaji DLC will take place after the conclusion of the main story, not as a flashback or a passive time period during the base game (as has been a recent trend in story DLC). As such, it is an extension of Naoe and Yasuke’s story in the Assassin’s Creed world, but this one is “spookier,” according to Dumont. In his own words, he said,
“It will have a different vibe, a bit spookier I would say.”
Lemay-Comtois would also share additional details on the Bo Staff, as well as the Sanzoku Ippa. Lemay-Comtois describes the Bo Staff as a new weapon type for Naoe that allows her to change the type of damage she can deal, “including a few new non-lethal options.” Whether that lethality or not is an important story detail remains to be seen, as players will be coming face to face with a new faction: the Sanzoku Ippa.
Become the Hunted
Thus far, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has showcased the Shinbakufu as the main enemy faction, although Dumont did tease they are only one shadow faction vying for power in the main narrative. Who the Sanzoku Ippa may or may not be answered in the base game, but they sound very similar to the Assassins. As Lemay-Comtois described them,
“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…”
AC Shadows implements a spy network system in the base game, so it’ll be interesting to see if the Claws of Awaji DLC effectively turns this mechanic against players. The implications of their counter-intelligence are up in the air, but what’s clear is that AC Shadows is the start and Ubisoft has some solid plans for where to take it from there. “What’s next?” is always going to be a big question, and at least for now, it seems Ubisoft has some big answers for it.
- Released
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March 20, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language