Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Claws of Awaji DLC will be tying up multiple loose ends from the main game’s story according to the expansion’s content director. Continue on to learn more about the content coming in the DLC and its accompanying base game patch!
Claws of Awaji DLC Concludes Storylines from Base Game
DLC Picks Up Where Base Game Left Off
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ Claws of Awaji content director Simon Arsenault recently revealed that the upcoming DLC will mainly tackle two unresolved threads from the main game, specifically concerning Naoe’s family and the third Imperial Regalia box.
WARNING: Claws of Awaji is only playable once the main campaign has been completed, so expect narrative spoilers ahead.
As the main questline progresses, Naoe, one of the two protagonists, discovers that her mother is still alive and finds numerous hints on her whereabouts. This ongoing hunt will bring players out of mainland Japan and onto the island of Awaji, a completely new area for the game. Without revealing any specifics, Arsenault confirmed that this is where this part of Naoe’s story will reach its conclusion.
"We're trying to give Naoe closure for her personal story," Arsenault told IGN in a recent interview. "There’s nothing closing the door completely, but we can expect at least to have proper closure to Naoe’s story."
This search-and-rescue mission also leads our heroes to learn that the third and final box holding Imperial Regalia can be found on the same island. The boxes served as the main narrative’s macguffins, as the first box’s theft sent Naoe on her quest for vengeance, and the second box’s discovery expanded the stakes.
While the game’s 40-hour campaign heavily involved the first two boxes, the third’s existence was merely hinted at. Now, Claws of Awaji aims to conclude that storyline as well, wrapping up Naoe and fellow protagonist Yasuke’s search for the Imperial Regalia.
Claws of Awaji Adds More Than Just Story
Outside of the narrative expansion, players can also expect Claws of Awaji to add a few twists to gameplay. First, the DLC will introduce multiple new biomes, such as beaches, swamps, and jungles according to an article written by Ubisoft Director of Editorial Communications Lucy O’Brien.
With new territory also comes new enemies, as the DLC will have players facing off against a new faction called the Sanzoku Ippa, alongside new and unique bosses. Aiding the fight against the unfamiliar foes will be the Bo staff, a new weapon for Naoe exclusive to Claws of Awaji.
The article also revealed that danger can lurk around every corner on Awaji as the DLC’s new enemies will be constantly looking to get the drop on players, with some even disguising themselves as harmless NPCs.
DLC Patch Adds Content for Base Game Too
Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ accompanying 1.1.1 update will also be adding in content for those playing without the DLC. Most prominently, the level cap will be receiving a second bump—now going up to 100. Ubisoft suggests that players reach the original cap of 60 before exploring the DLC.
The ability to skip forward in time will also be added to the game. Players can unlock this ability post-patch and skip to either 6 AM or PM by leveling up the Nando once and meditating. And in another quality-of-life improvement, discovering all viewpoints within a region will also completely remove the fog on the section’s map.
Lastly, the game will also add a new project to the Animus HUB, wherein you can get Assassin’s Creed II protagonist Ezio Auditore’s attire, the Eagle Head kusarigama, the Charm of Firenze trinket, and a Rooftop Cat pet for the hideout.
The Claws of Awaji DLC will be released on September 16 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. For all the latest on Assassin’s Creed Shadows, check out our article below!
Sources:
Xbox Wire | Assassin’s Creed Shadows: What To Know Before the Claws of Awaji Expansion
IGN | Assassin's Creed Shadows Will Finally Wrap Up 2 Key Storylines in its Claws of Awaji Expansion, Even if Yasuke is Now Taking on a 'Support Role'
Ubisoft | AC Shadows Title Update 1.1.1 - Release Notes
