Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Claws of Awaji has a mixed-to-positive critic reception: Metacritic listed it at 71/100 from 14 critic reviews when checked in 2026. Reviewers most often praised the expansion’s focused island setting and story closure, while some found its exploration and missions too familiar.
What critics think of Claws of Awaji
Metacritic’s listed critic score was 71/100, based on 14 reviews: five positive, nine mixed and zero negative. That is a snapshot of the reviews listed on the aggregator, not a unanimous verdict. The user score is separate: Metacritic showed 5.0/10 from 81 user ratings at the time of its 2026 page check.
What reviewers praised
The strongest recurring positive is focus. GamingBolt rated the expansion 90/100 and described it as a refinement of the base game, praising its “small but dense new island” and more focused story. GameStar gave it 85/100, saying it condenses the main game’s strengths and brings the plot to a satisfying conclusion. These are individual outlet judgments reproduced by Metacritic, not a consensus quote. Metacritic’s review list
What reviewers questioned
The main reservation is how much the expansion changes the familiar formula. Some critics found its exploration loop and mission design too similar to the base game, with padding or a payoff that did not land as strongly as they hoped. GameSpot rated it 70/100: its displayed summary praises the wrap-up and a cat-and-mouse shift, but raises concerns about Yasuke’s role and the emotional payoff. Hobby Consolas scored it 76/100 and suggested that players paying $25 might prefer to wait for a discount.
#1 Best Overall
- BECOME A FEARSOME PIRATE- Strike fear in your foes as you board and sink enemy vessels as Edward Kenway, captain of the Jackdaw. Whether blending into crowds or leading daring assaults, switch between silent takedowns and fierce brawls as you effortlessly wield swords, pistols, and the Hidden Blade. With a cast of historical pirate legends at your side, defy empires amidst the age-old conflict opposing Assassins and Templars.
- A CLASSIC REBUILT FOR AN ENHANCED EXPERIENCE- Combat has been rebuilt for more dynamic encounters, emphasizing parries and takedowns, while stealth and parkour have been improved for smoother escapes and assassinations. Continuously upgrade the Jackdaw to face powerful enemy ships with enhanced naval mechanics featuring new alternate fire modes. Quality-of-life additions also address previous pain points, ensuring your experience is improved.
- THE CARIBBEAN LIKE NEVER BEFORE- Whether you’re sailing the open seas or journeying across untamed lands, discover a seamless open world built with the latest Anvil engine. Take in sweeping vistas as you brave stormy waters, dive into underwater shipwrecks, or push through dense tropical jungles. Enhanced by features such as Dolby Atmos and ray tracing, every scene feels more immersive, bringing the world’s beauty to life.
- EXPANDING EDWARD’S ADVENTURE- Building on top of the original story, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced introduces exclusive new content. Familiar faces will return, with new storylines dedicated to fan-favorite characters such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Unexpected allies will also cross your path, as three officers join you on your journey as part of the main narrative. More surprises await, such as new sea shanties, pets, a photo mode, and more.
How strong are the individual reviews?
The range of scores helps explain why the aggregate is not an unqualified endorsement. GamingBolt’s 90 and GameStar’s 85 reflect enthusiasm for a tighter setting and narrative resolution; GameSpot’s 70 and Hobby Consolas’ 76 show more reservations. Compare the reasoning behind each score rather than treating a number alone as a verdict.
- Story closure: Does the reviewer find Naoe’s continuing story satisfying, and what role does Yasuke’s arc play?
- Freshness: Do Awaji, the Bo weapon and new enemies change the experience enough?
- Exploration and missions: Does a smaller island make familiar activities feel purposeful, or repetitive?
- Value: Is the amount of additional content worth the price in the reader’s region, especially if it was not included with a preorder?
- Review context: Check the outlet, publication date and platform where available. Metacritic’s list is an aggregator view, not a replacement for the original review.
What the expansion includes
Ubisoft released Claws of Awaji on September 16, 2025. It sends Naoe and Yasuke to Awaji Island in search of a historical treasure, where they face a new group using traps and ambushes. Ubisoft advertises more than 10 hours of content, along with new skills, weapon abilities, armor and gear for both protagonists, plus new bosses and enemy types. These are publisher-provided content claims, not an independently measured playtime estimate. Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows page
Rank #2
- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content includes the base game and Sekiryu Character Pack
- Explore the captivating open world of feudal Japan, from spectacular castle towns and bustling ports to peaceful shrines and war-ravaged landscapes. Adventure through unpredictable weather, changing seasons, and reactive environments.
- Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles.
- Make information your weapon as you explore the world, and build your own network of spies to be your eyes and ears across locations to hunt down your next target. Along the way, recruit new allies with unique abilities to help accomplish your missions.
- Create a fully customizable hideout for your growing shinobi league as you train your crew, craft new gear, interact with key characters, and choose your base’s layout, decorations, and accessories.
Naoe’s Bo weapon is also available to all players through a separate free quest; legendary Bo staves are specific to the expansion. The expansion itself is add-on content and requires Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
Who can play it, and how to access it
Ubisoft says players must complete the main story arcs for Naoe, Yasuke and Junjiro, as well as the “Out of the Shadows” quest, before accessing the expansion. Players who preordered the base game receive Claws of Awaji at no extra cost, according to Ubisoft; other players can purchase it separately.
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Rank #3
- Includes both Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed Rogue, plus all single-player DLC.
- Become the most feared pirate in the Caribbean in Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag. Take part in an award-winning naval experience and explore a massive open world.
- Become the ultimate assassin hunter in Assassin’s Creed Rogue, and play as a Templar for the first time in franchise history.
- Additional bonus content: Black Beard: The Lost Journal (pp. 1– 55) and Assassin’s Creed: Awakening Volumes 1 & 2.
- Experience enhanced features like handheld mode, HD Rumble, a touch screen interface, and motion control aiming.
Ubisoft’s pages list digital availability across PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2, while its release announcement also names Mac computers with Apple silicon through the Mac App Store. Catalogs can differ by country and storefront, so check the local listing for the exact platform and edition. The Ubisoft Store identifies Ubisoft Bordeaux as the developer. Ubisoft Store listing
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price and whether it is worth buying
The US PlayStation Store displayed $24.99 for the PS5 add-on when checked. That is a US storefront snapshot, not a fixed or worldwide price; confirm the current price in your region. US PlayStation Store listing
Rank #4
- A BRASH REBEL ASSASSIN: Become Edward Kenway, a charismatic yet brutal pirate captain, trained by Assassins. Edward can effortlessly switch between the Hidden Blade of the Assassin's Order and all new weaponry including four flintock pistols and dual cutlass swords
- EXPLORE AN OPEN WORLD FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITIES: Discover the most diverse Assassin's Creed world ever created. From Kingston to Nassau, explore 50 unique locations where you can live the life of a pirate
- BECOME THE MOST FEARED PIRATE IN THE CARIBBEAN: Command your ship, the Jackdaw, and strike fear in all who see her. Plunder and pillage to upgrade the Jackdaw with ammunition and equipment needed to fight off enemy ships
- EXPERIENCE THE GRITTY REALITY BEHIND THE PIRATE FANTASY: Stand amongst legendary names such as Blackbeard and Benjamin Hornigold, as you establish a lawless Republic in the Bahamas and relive the truly explosive events that defined the Golden Age of Pirates
- MULTIPLAYER EXPERIENCE: Play with your friends in the ruthless and critically acclaimed multiplayer experience. Choose from an eclectic cast of characters from the Golden Age of Pirates and fight to the death in exotic locations
The reviews point to a straightforward choice: players primarily seeking a more focused continuation and additional story closure are more likely to value the expansion, while those hoping for a substantially new exploration or mission formula may find the familiar structure harder to justify at full local price. It is DLC rather than a standalone game, so prospective buyers who do not own the base game need to account for that as well.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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