Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Assassin ’s Creed Shadowshas launch to practically sodding reviews from most critic , in large part thanks to its refining of theAssassin ’s Creedformula , inviolable writing , and its excellent dual protagonists . Naturally , when something is this good , people are n’t content just sitting with it , as fans are eagerly anticipating the biz ’s design DLC releases . So far , Ubisoft has only confirmed a undivided expansion forAssassin ’s Creed Shadows , which is the rather spooky - lookingClaws of Awaji . However , it is possible it could tally more if the game try out to be a winner .
For now , thespian will have to be quenched with waiting patiently forClaws of Awaji’stentative 2025 release day of the month . 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 - rules of order fillip trailer forAssassin ’s Creed Shadows . However , that has n’t cease buff from speculating about what it could include , or , perhaps more importantly , what features theClaws of AwajiDLC should admit for 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 humble than the base plot , for obvious reasons . It ’s just a individual island off the seacoast of Japan , mean that , while probably big enough , it wo n’t take players long to venture from one end to the other . That ’s middling stock with most DLCs , and nothing that players should worry about , especially as it ’ll likely still be a merriment and interesting locale to explore anyway , andAC Shadows’world is smallerthan previousAssassin ’s Creedgames anyway .
There are some major differences between Naoe and Yasuke in Assassin ’s Creed Shadows , and you should gear up for completely different experience .
However , to compensate for the smaller map sizing , Claws of Awaji’sworld should feel more densely detailed . That ’s not to say that the nucleotide game ’s world is n’t mob with thing to do and see , but the smaller space should lead to more curated and interesting content around every corner . That way , it wo n’t feel as small as the al-Qaida game , ensuring players are n’t bored easily or disappointed for whatever reason , despite being literally lowly in size .
9A Fresh New Environment Type
It Can’t Look The Same As The Base Game’s World
In gain to being more dumbly packed , the world ofAssassin ’s Creed Shadows’first DLC should find distinct from the understructure 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 vivacious and secret titulary positioning that felt like a breather of fresh airwave and almost foreign compared to the base plot ’s environments .
After spend potentially 80 hours playingAssassin ’s Creed Shadows , players will want a change of footstep inClaws of Awaji , and different environmental design could facilitate with that . So far , screenshots have showcased similar - looking environments , but there ’s for sure plenty of elbow room for change , especially in the type of creature and flora that we ’ll see while search . Even if it manages to switch timbre , it could dramatically form the overall touch sensation of the map .
8More Traditional Narrative Structure
It Should Be More Linear
One of thefeaturesShadowskept fromValhallawas its narrative construction , which sees player venture to a new region and attempt to complete its account and beat its main boss . This segmented structure is n’t bad , and it definitely works inShadows , introducing a phenomenal mold of scoundrel for players to contend with , and like an expert get citizenry to chaffer specific locations at just the right time through the well - paced principal account .
However , this bodily structure is entirely qualified on a far lengthier experience to be pulled off successfully . claw of Awaji’s10 - 60 minutes lengthisn’t nigh long enough to divvy up the same structure . As a result , it should return to the linear storytelling of past entry , unlikeMirageandValhalla . That path , not only do players get a satisfying story within the comparatively short runtime , but they ’re also not jade by more of the same .
7Good Integration With The Main Story
It Shouldn’t Feel Like A Separate Game
As well as changing its story structure , Claws of Awajishould also be well integrated withAssassin ’s Creed Shadows’main story . It ca n’t find like a separate game that players hop-skip into whenever they require . Rather , it should find like an extension ofShadows , offering more detail about its world and character , further fleshing out Naoe and Yasuke ’s relationship in meaningful way , and add flavor that helps contextualize events in the main story .
The good style of doing this is to have the DLC take topographic point during the events of the independent floor , but not during a point at which it would n’t make sense for Naoe and Yasuke to take a break from their main adventure to pursue a side seeking . Of course , it is also worth considering that most citizenry 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 do n’t bang much aboutClaws of Awaji’snarrative , nor who its independent baddie will be . However , it is of the essence that they are manage well , as they will serve as the DLC ’s highlight . believe its shorter length , Claws of Awajiwill probably rely heavily on its main villain to actuate the story and get players invested promptly . They ’ve got to be antagonizing , occult , and , hopefully , very creepy , to obligate participant to continue through the DLC ’s main narrative .
Considering thatClaws of Awajiis going for a more horror - centre timber , it would n’t be surprising to see a scarier side toShadows’villains . While , as aforementioned , we do n’t roll in the hay much yet , one can trust that Ubisoft manages to create another Vaas or even Joseph Seed withClaws of Awaji’svillainand impart a last mental picture on histrion after they ’ve wrap up up its hopefully challenging main narrative .
5A Horror Tone & Atmosphere
It’ll Help It Stand Out
The abbreviated trailer that Ubisoft has release for theClaws of Awajitrailer points to a far more repugnance - centre timber than the al-Qaida secret plan . This is best seen inClaws of Awaji’scoolest feature , which has the opposition faction track Yasuke and Naoe , setting traps for them and trace them down when they least expect it . To be draw off efficaciously , Ubisoft needs to make a tense and scary standard atmosphere that keeps players infinitely on boundary while exploring .
This can be done through environmental storytelling , like the foggy timber we visualize in the trailer , as well as through spooky encounter with the main villain , and well - aim cutscenes filled with an sticky sense of apprehension . Considering just how cinematicShadowscan be , Ubisoft absolutely has it in them to deliver a scary and tense DLC akin to the horrors participant witness 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 shivery expansion , Ubisoft needs to make its central enemy faction actually challenging . Most player will be startingShadows’first DLC either after having already wash up the biz , or at least part of the way through - depending on when it is put . As a final result , they ’ll have a lot of good gear , impressive weapons , and enough skills to get through most fights with relief .
To counter this , pincer of Awajineeds to be a truly challenging experience , one that feels almost brutal in its trouble . It should be keep players on their toes , offering an experience that test everything fans have find out during their metre withShadows . Of naturally , it should n’t be as difficult asDark Souls , but hard enough that those who ’ve grown well-off withAssassin ’s Creed Shadows’combat of a sudden wake up .
3New Interesting Skills
It Would Help Make Combat Feel Interesting
Of of course , to makeClaws of Awaji’sharder trouble more bearable , Ubisoft also needs to go through more skills for both Naoe and Yasuke . We live from the aforementioned laggard that there will be some new attainment , but Ubisoft has yet to elaborate on exactly what they are . fortuitously , Assassin ’s Creed Shadows’best skillsgive us hope that whatever Ubisoft has develop forClaws of Awajiwill belike be game - changing .
Assassin ’s Creed Shadows is finally out and it ’s got an uber - talented group of representative role player on its roster , some of whom you should recognize .
That ’s significant , as one ofAssassin ’s Creed Shadows’biggest faultsis how its lengthy runtime ca n’t sustain its somewhat shallow scrap . More skills would assist to spice up things up and keep combat interesting , while also giving player something to work towards as they search this new realm . raw skills are an absolute must inClaws of Awajiif only to keep its gameplay from feeling stale .
Custom Image by: Katarina Cimbaljevic
2The New Weapon Type Must Be Fun
The Bō Staff Should Add A Lot To Combat
In addition to new skills , Claws of Awajiis contribute a mark - novel 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 pecker in the hands of Naoe and Yasuke . It is great to see Ubisoft introduce a new artillery eccentric in the DLC , as it helps stave off the said triteness that could have plaguedClaws of Awaji’scombat if it had stuck stiffly to the base secret plan ’s artillery type .
However , it is all-important that Ubisoft make the Bō stave actually fun to practice . If it end up being an uninteresting arm , then players will default to the weapons they ’ve grown accustomed to , and that will lead toClaws of Awajibecoming tiresome . However , Ubisoft has a track criminal record of introducing interesting weapon types in its DLCs , such as whenImmortals Fenyx Rising’sexpansion , Myths of the Eastern Realm , append a whole new combat stylus that was fantastically fun to use .
1New Unique Armor Sets
It Gives Players More Content To Unlock
Of course , an expansion would n’t be consummate without some region - specific armor set for players to unlock . unexampled , well - designed armour is one of the good affair to unlock inAssassin ’s Creed Shadows , and theClaws of Awajiexpansion involve plenty of them . We ’ve already got a in force look at the terrifying armor of the foeman junto , and it would be dandy to get to unlock something similar for beating their drawing card .
Assassin ’s Creed Shadows is here and players are already modding the shaders to bet more like the feudalistic Japan of Ghost of Tsushima and Shōgun .
Really , any young armor sets would be welcome , as it would help flesh out those already useable in the base game . Of course , there ’s plenty more that Ubisoft needs to get right withClaws of Awaji , including tempo , narrative , mission social structure , and more , but these features should help make it a more memorable experience that ’s worth pick up . However , considering just how goodAssassin ’s Creed Shadowsis , players likely do n’t have anything to worry about when it follow to itsClaws of Awajiexpansion .
