Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Claws of Awaji is a paid, post-campaign expansion that gives Naoe and Yasuke a more focused island adventure, with new stealth pressures, gear and boss encounters. Its target-hunt structure and reactive world offer a welcome change of pace for some reviewers, but the familiar combat and uneven story and boss pacing make its value depend on how much more Shadows you want to play. It requires the base game and substantial main-story progress; it is not a standalone entry.
What Claws of Awaji adds
Released September 16, 2025, and developed by Ubisoft Bordeaux, the expansion sends Naoe and Yasuke to Awaji Island, beyond Osaka Bay. They pursue a historical treasure and investigate a mysterious shinobi, while contending with a group that hunts them across the island. The setting adds traps, ambushes, new enemy types and bosses, alongside new skills, weapon abilities, armor and gear.
Ubisoft describes the expansion as offering more than 10 hours of additional content. That is the publisher’s estimate, not a guaranteed completion time: playtime will vary with pace and activities. Ubisoft also says expansion gear and skills can be taken back into the main game, so the rewards are not confined to the island. Ubisoft’s launch announcement outlines the content and release date.
How it compares with the main game
A narrower journey, not another sprawling campaign
TechRadar’s Jake Green sees Awaji as a more focused journey than the base game’s sprawling adventure, with a stronger emphasis on shadow-based play and a meaningful continuation for Naoe. That tighter scope is a good fit if you want another substantial chapter without returning to the full breadth of the main campaign. GamesRadar+ likewise finds familiar elements, but points to the reactive world and distinct set pieces as meaningful additions.
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#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Target hunts add tension, but the core loop remains familiar
GameSpot’s Jordan Ramée rated the DLC 7/10 and found its target hunt develops into an enjoyable cat-and-mouse formula. That emphasis gives stealth and pursuit more weight than simply repeating the base game’s usual combat rhythms. The expansion still builds on Shadows, though; it is a variation on the existing game rather than a wholesale reinvention.
Naoe’s story has a complicated payoff
TechRadar regards the chapter as a meaningful continuation for Naoe, while GameSpot argues that Yasuke’s presence weakens the emotional payoff of her story. Those are differing critical readings, not a settled consensus. If Naoe’s personal arc is what brings you back, the story may have particular appeal, but do not assume every reviewer found its resolution equally effective.
Rank #2
- ENTER FEUDAL JAPAN - 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.
- MASTER COMPLEMENTARY PLAYSTYLES - Become Naoe, a shinobi Assassin, and Yasuke, a legendary samurai, as you experience their riveting stories and master their complementary playstyles. As Naoe, use stealth to avoid detection and agility to confound your enemies. As Yasuke, strike your foes with lethal precision and power. Unlock new skills, gear, and progression independently for each character.
- MAKE INFORMATION YOUR WEAPON - Travel 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
- BUILD A PLACE TO CALL HOME - 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 buildings layout, decorations, and accessories.
New encounters do not always mean better pacing
The island’s traps, ambushes, enemy group and set pieces make encounters less predictable. But novelty is uneven: Ramée says two boss fights become an annoying slog. If boss battles are a highlight for you, that criticism is worth weighing against the expansion’s broader encounter variety.
Is Claws of Awaji worth it?
It is most appealing if you have finished the required story content, want more Naoe and Yasuke, and prefer a concentrated stealth-and-target-hunt adventure to a second sprawling campaign. Its new gear also has value for players who intend to return to the main game. It is a harder recommendation if the base game’s combat already feels repetitive, if you primarily want a satisfying resolution to Naoe’s story, or if frustrating boss fights are a deal-breaker.
Rank #3
- 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.
Price changes by storefront, region and date. Ubisoft stated a launch price of $/€25 for non-preorder players in its September 10, 2025 guide; that is historical launch pricing, not a current offer. Check your regional store before buying. For a snapshot of how the expansion was received by players, the US PlayStation Store page showed 4.48 out of 5 from 473 ratings on October 4, 2026; ratings and totals can change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to start the expansion
Claws of Awaji is an add-on, not a standalone game. Ubisoft says you need Assassin’s Creed Shadows and must clear the following main-game content before the expansion becomes available:
- Complete the main story arcs for Naoe and Yasuke.
- Complete the personal quests for Naoe, Yasuke and Junjiro.
- Finish the Out of the Shadows quest.
After meeting those prerequisites, find Hanzo’s contact at the Settsu Hideout to begin the expansion. Ubisoft’s expansion FAQ lists the requirements and explains that the add-on requires the base game.
Is the Bo staff free?
Yes. The introductory Bo staff quest is free for all owners of Assassin’s Creed Shadows; you do not need to buy Claws of Awaji for that quest. Some Legendary Bo staves and other expansion gear are tied to the paid DLC, so free access to the weapon’s introduction does not mean all related rewards are free.
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Platforms and future content
Ubisoft’s FAQ lists Nintendo Switch 2 among the platforms supported by the expansion. Storefront availability and pricing can differ by platform and region, so confirm the listing for your copy of the game. Ubisoft also stated that, as of June 16, 2026, it had no plans for further major content updates for Assassin’s Creed Shadows. That is a dated statement of plans, not a guarantee they cannot change.
Quick Recap
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