Assassin’s Creed: Shadow’s Claws of Awaji Expansion & New Game Plus Detailed
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed: Shadows continues its post-launch support with a significant content update roadmap, culminating in the highly anticipated Claws of Awaji story expansion. This comprehensive guide delves into the specifics of the upcoming updates, providing detailed information for both seasoned players and newcomers alike.
Claws of Awaji: A New Chapter Begins September 16th
The highly anticipated Claws of Awaji expansion will transport players to the uncharted island of Awaji, expanding upon the rich narrative established in Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. This substantial DLC, boasting over 10 hours of gameplay, throws players into a new storyline following the main game’s conclusion. The narrative focuses on Naoe’s continued struggle, pitting him against a fresh wave of formidable adversaries in this previously unexplored location.
Accessibility and Cost Considerations
For players who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Claws of Awaji will be available for free as part of their pre-order bonus. However, for those who did not pre-order the game, Ubisoft has yet to confirm the standalone purchase price of this substantial expansion. Details regarding pricing and purchasing options will likely be announced closer to its September 16th launch date.
Enhanced Gameplay and Immersive World Design
The developers at Ubisoft promise a significantly enhanced gameplay experience within Claws of Awaji. The addition of the new island environment, Awaji, promises a visually stunning and diverse landscape, distinct from the settings previously explored in the main game. The expansion’s extended playtime suggests a level of depth and complexity in both narrative and gameplay not seen before in Assassin’s Creed: Shadow’s post-launch content. This should result in a highly replayable experience, adding significant value to the overall game package.
New Game Plus Arrives July 29th: A Fresh Perspective on the Shadows
Ubisoft is introducing New Game Plus mode, launching on July 29th, offering players the chance to relive the gripping storyline of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows with enhanced capabilities. This mode cleverly balances the challenge of replayability with the reward of retaining earned progress. Players can retain their character level, gear, skill points, knowledge rank, and Hideout progression, making subsequent playthroughs far more streamlined and rewarding.
Customizable Replayability and Strategic Choices
The New Game Plus mode is further enhanced with choice-based options. Players can choose to restart the story from the very beginning, allowing for a complete re-experience of the narrative. Alternatively, players can opt to skip the prologue, seamlessly transitioning into the core gameplay loop following Naoe’s acquisition of the Hideout. This option, for veterans, allows for a quicker access to the most engaging parts of the game, creating a much more efficient way to replay the content without unnecessary repetition.
Enhanced Progression System
Beyond New Game Plus, the July 29th update introduces a significant increase to the game’s level cap, expanding it from 60 to 80. This expansion directly impacts progression, opening up access to new skill trees, knowledge ranks, and mastery levels. Players can expect to find more robust and layered systems for progression, offering significant improvements to both combat and stealth strategies. This update will also expand the Hideout with new upgrades, including improvements to Heiji’s Forge.
Project 3: Expanding the Animus Experience
Project 3, launching alongside the New Game Plus mode, further adds to the game’s depth and replayability. This update introduces additional resources, data files, and a selection of exclusive rewards with an Animus theme. This thematic cohesion maintains the immersive and historically grounded experience, and this added content will ensure a richer experience for fans of the lore and immersive features of the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
Expanding upon the Narrative’s Depth
Project 3’s inclusion of new data files and resources hints at a possible deepening of the established narrative. These files could hold clues to previously unaddressed mysteries, potentially further expanding on the game’s story and setting. This could lead to more avenues of speculation among players and encourage repeated gameplay and engagement with the lore established within the larger Assassin’s Creed universe.
Unique Animus-Themed Rewards
The promise of “Animus-themed rewards” hints at the inclusion of unique cosmetic items, possibly impacting gameplay such as weapons and tools, with unique design elements reflective of the Animus technology central to the Assassin’s Creed series’ lore. This inclusion is a direct reward for long-time players who engage fully with the experience, creating further incentive for ongoing engagement with the game and its expanding content.
September Update: Quality of Life Improvements for a Smoother Experience
Ahead of the release of Claws of Awaji, a quality-of-life update is slated to arrive at the beginning of September. This update focuses on improving the overall player experience, addressing various aspects that enhance immersion and ease of gameplay.
Enhanced Exploration and Navigation
One key improvement is the unfogging of the world map after completing viewpoint synchronization, a highly requested feature for players navigating the sprawling landscapes of the game. This will significantly improve players’ ability to orient themselves and locate points of interest within the game’s larger world. Further enhancing navigation is the addition of the ability to skip the time of day, allowing players to jump ahead to dawn or dusk.
Refined Gameplay Mechanics and Accessibility
The September update adds several significant gameplay enhancements. A new Forge upgrade level is being introduced, pushing players towards Mythic (from Epic) and Artifact (from Legendary) equipment rarities. This allows for a longer end-game experience with gradual progression and significant improvements to build diversity. Additional Hideout upgrades and uncapped framerate for cutscenes (PC only) round out the package, indicating a significant investment in refining gameplay mechanics and expanding accessibility.
A Nod to Long-Time Fans
The addition of “additional goodies that may be familiar to long-time series fans” teases exciting additions that will directly resonate with veteran players. This shows a clear appreciation for loyal player bases and signals a thoughtful approach to community engagement in the development and post-release support of the game. The anticipation created by this subtle nod may further enhance player excitement and engagement in the long run. This also demonstrates a conscious decision to build a strong connection between the developers and their players, nurturing a vibrant community around the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
This extensive update plan demonstrates Ubisoft’s continued commitment to Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, providing players with a wealth of new content and improvements well beyond the initial release. The combination of significant narrative expansion, gameplay enhancements, and quality-of-life improvements positions Assassin’s Creed: Shadows for lasting appeal amongst both new and returning players.