Ubisoft isn’t wasting time building out Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Just months after launch, the game’s first major expansion, Claws of Awaji, is here, delivering a new island, fresh enemies, and over 10 hours of extended gameplay.

Claws of Awaji takes players beyond Osaka Bay

The DLC unfolds on Awaji Island, a rugged, isolated landmass beyond the familiar terrain of Osaka Bay. This new region doesn’t just add map space—it introduces the Sanzoku Ippa, a brutal faction that stalks the player relentlessly while a lost treasure fuels the hunt.

This isn’t a side story. Players must finish the base game to unlock Claws of Awaji, as the narrative picks up where Naoe and Yasuke’s main arc left off. Both protagonists return with fully voiced and animated roles, continuing their unique perspectives in feudal Japan’s tense political web.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows gets new gear and skills

New location aside, Claws of Awaji brings meaningful upgrades to gameplay. The highlight? A new Bo staff weapon for Naoe, built for crowd control and fast, fluid strikes. Its popularity during early testing pushed Ubisoft to offer a basic version of the weapon for all players via a free side quest called “Go with the Bo.”

Along with the Bo staff, the DLC includes:

• New legendary armor and weapons
• Unlockable abilities that carry over into the base game
• Additional enemy types that use coordinated group tactics

It’s not just more content—it’s content that sharpens the game’s mechanics across the board.

More expansions are already in development

Ubisoft confirmed that Claws of Awaji is just the first in a planned series of expansions. Players can buy the DLC as a standalone for $25, get it free with a pre-order bonus, or access it through a Ubisoft+ subscription.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is clearly built for the long haul. If this first drop is any sign of what’s coming, the quiet war in feudal Japan is far from over.

And the shadows just got deeper.