Ubisoft is gearing up for a bold year of post-launch content for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and at the heart of it lies the highly anticipated “Claws of Awaji” expansion. Set to release later in 2025, this major DLC marks the first large-scale narrative continuation after the base game’s conclusion—and it promises to deepen the dual-protagonist story of Naoe and Yasuke in thrilling new ways.
While Assassin’s Creed Shadows officially launched on March 20, 2025, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Windows, and macOS—with an iPadOS version coming later—the “Claws of Awaji” expansion will serve as the next major chapter in Ubisoft’s ongoing Year 1 roadmap.
What is “Claws of Awaji”?
“Claws of Awaji” picks up immediately after the main campaign’s epilogue, plunging players into a new storyline set on Awaji Island, a real location situated in Japan’s Inland Sea that historically served as a strategic waypoint between Honshu and Shikoku. The island’s geography and significance during Japan’s Sengoku period make it a rich setting for political intrigue, naval skirmishes, and intense stealth missions.
https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/assassins-creed/shadows/expansion
Ubisoft has confirmed that the expansion will provide approximately 10 hours of gameplay, including:
- A self-contained narrative arc focused on betrayal and regional unrest
- New side characters, factions, and historical figures
- Additional skills and gear specific to both Yasuke and Naoe
- Unique biomes on Awaji Island with naval traversal and coastal combat
This DLC will be free for all players who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed Shadows, either digitally or via physical editions. Pricing details for others haven’t yet been disclosed, but the expansion is expected to be available as a standalone purchase or bundled with future DLC packs in a Season Pass.
Shadows Year 1 Roadmap – What Else is Coming?
Ubisoft has laid out an extensive post-launch plan that extends well beyond “Claws of Awaji.” Here’s a preview of the Year 1 roadmap:
Monthly “Story Drops”
In addition to full-scale expansions, Ubisoft will release smaller episodic updates that introduce:
- New assassination targets
- Side quests involving allies and political figures
- Additional lore and Codex entries
The first of these, “The Works of Luis Frois”, launched with Title Update 1.0.4 and introduced players to the Jesuit missionary Luis Frois in the city of Azuchi.
Quality-of-Life Updates
Planned updates will improve core gameplay, including:
- New Game+ with replay bonuses and raised level cap
- Advanced stealth difficulty settings for purists who want a true ghost-style experience
- Improved parkour fluidity with reanimated transitions and tighter traversal mechanics
- Armor transmog system to let players customize aesthetics without sacrificing stats
These additions are scheduled to roll out incrementally in the months following the expansion.
Why Awaji Island Matters
Awaji Island isn’t just a new map—it’s a smart narrative choice. During the Sengoku era, it served as a volatile hub for naval trade and was controlled at various times by rival daimyo factions. This makes it a natural location for continued conflict between the pro-shogunate and anti-shogunate forces at play in Shadows‘ central plot. Leaks suggest the expansion may explore lingering consequences of European influence and foreign intervention, continuing Ubisoft’s trend of mixing fiction with real geopolitical history.
The Bigger Picture: Shadows As a Platform
With Claws of Awaji and the monthly content drops, Ubisoft is clearly positioning Assassin’s Creed Shadows as a living platform—similar to how they supported Valhalla with expansions like Dawn of Ragnarök and The Siege of Paris. Instead of quick content bursts, Shadows will evolve throughout the year with narrative, system, and exploration updates tailored to player feedback.
If the expansion delivers on its promise of high-stakes storytelling and meaningful exploration, Claws of Awaji could be one of the most impactful DLCs in Assassin’s Creed history.
Whether you’ve already finished the main game or are planning to dive in soon, there’s plenty more on the horizon—and Awaji Island is just the beginning.
Key Takeaways
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows will release on March 20, 2025 across major gaming platforms.
- Ubisoft delayed the game to ensure higher quality and a more immersive gaming experience.
- The development aligns with Ubisoft’s broader strategic transformations for the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Overview
Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes players to Feudal Japan during the 16th century, a setting fans have requested for years. The game launches on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Series X/S, and macOS, with an iPadOS version coming later.
Setting and Historical Backdrop
Assassin’s Creed Shadows unfolds in 16th-century Japan during the tumultuous Sengoku period. This era was marked by political instability, social upheaval, and constant warfare between powerful daimyo (feudal lords). Players will explore a richly detailed open world spanning diverse Japanese landscapes, from bustling cities to serene countryside.
The game meticulously recreates historical locations including Kyoto, the imperial capital, and numerous castles and villages. Players will witness key historical events and interact with notable figures from Japanese history.
The setting captures the complex social dynamics of the period, with samurai, merchants, peasants, and religious groups all playing important roles. Cultural elements like tea ceremonies, Buddhist temples, and Shinto shrines feature prominently throughout the game world.
Main Protagonists and Characters
Assassin’s Creed Shadows features two playable protagonists with intertwining stories. The first is Naoe, a skilled Japanese shinobi with deep ties to local resistance movements. She utilizes traditional ninja techniques and intimate knowledge of Japanese society.
The second protagonist is Yasuke, based on the historical African samurai who served under daimyo Oda Nobunaga. As a foreigner in Japan, Yasuke brings a unique perspective and different combat approaches to the game.
Supporting characters include influential historical figures like Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and various faction leaders. Players will navigate complex relationships between these characters as Japan’s power structures shift.
Each protagonist offers different gameplay experiences and narrative perspectives on the tumultuous events of the period.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Assassin’s Creed Shadows builds upon the RPG elements of recent titles while returning to the stealth roots of the franchise. Combat combines both samurai and ninja fighting styles, allowing players to switch between open confrontation and silent assassinations.
The game introduces new vertical traversal options, with improved climbing mechanics and tools like grappling hooks. Stealth mechanics have been refined, with enhanced hiding options and diversion tactics.
Players can customize their characters with various weapons and armor sets. The skill tree allows specialization in different combat styles, from direct samurai combat to ninja stealth approaches.
Side activities include participating in tea ceremonies, bamboo cutting challenges, and haiku composition. The game also features a robust economy system with trading routes and craft guilds.
Technical Aspects and Performance
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been optimized for next-generation hardware with several visual and performance options available across platforms. The game leverages modern technology to deliver an immersive feudal Japan experience.
System Requirements and Compatibility
Assassin’s Creed Shadows released on March 20, 2025, exclusively for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game is not available on previous generation consoles or Mac and iOS devices.
PC players need Windows 10 or later with DirectX 12 compatibility. An SSD is strongly recommended for optimal performance, as the game’s detailed open world benefits from faster storage solutions.
The minimum specifications allow for low preset gameplay at 30 FPS, while recommended specs target higher framerates at increased visual fidelity.
The game is available through Ubisoft Connect and Steam on PC, with no plans announced for other storefronts at this time.
Pre-order data showed strong interest with over 300,000 units reserved by mid-February 2025.
Graphics and Animation
Shadows features some of the most substantial visual improvements in the franchise’s history. The game implements RayTraced Global Illumination for realistic lighting across its feudal Japan setting.
Players can choose between Quality and Performance modes on consoles. The Performance mode on PlayStation 5 upscales to 4K resolution while maintaining smoother framerates.
PC players have access to in-depth customization options including:
- Ultra-wide resolution support
- HDR implementation
- AMD Eyefinity compatibility
- Uncapped framerate options
The visuals showcase detailed character models for the dual protagonists and realistic environmental effects that highlight Japanese architecture and landscapes.
Optimization and Enhancements
Ubisoft has implemented several technologies to enhance performance across platforms. PC players benefit from AMD FSR 3.1 upscaling technology and frame generation features.
Console versions use dynamic resolution support to maintain stable performance during intense gameplay moments. Both PS5 and Xbox Series versions received significant optimization attention.
An in-game benchmark tool allows players to test their hardware configurations before adjusting settings. This helps users find the optimal balance between visual quality and performance.
The game supports Nvidia’s latest graphics cards, with the GeForce RTX 4090 capable of running the game at its highest settings with raytracing enabled while maintaining high framerates.
Performance analysis shows the game runs more consistently than previous Assassin’s Creed titles at launch, suggesting Ubisoft prioritized optimization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has generated many questions from fans about its release date, platforms, and content. The game has experienced several delays but now has a confirmed launch date with specific details about availability.
When is the release date for Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Xbox?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows will release on Xbox on March 20, 2025. The game will be available at midnight UK time on consoles on launch day.
Players can pre-load the game now in preparation for the release. This allows fans to download the game before launch and start playing as soon as it becomes available.
What are the critics saying in their reviews of Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
As of March 24, 2025, professional reviews for Assassin’s Creed Shadows are just beginning to emerge since the game was released only a few days ago. Critics are evaluating the game’s historical accuracy, gameplay mechanics, and storytelling.
Most early impressions focus on how well the game implements its feudal Japan setting. The dual protagonist system with ninja Naoe and samurai Yasuke is receiving particular attention.
Has there been any controversy surrounding the release date of Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
Yes, Assassin’s Creed Shadows faced significant controversy regarding its release timeline. The game experienced multiple delays before settling on the March 20, 2025 date.
Ubisoft initially planned an earlier release but postponed it to ensure a “high-quality, immersive experience.” The company stated they remained committed to delivering a polished product rather than rushing it to market.
The delays caused frustration among fans who had been waiting years for a game set in feudal Japan.
What is the status of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for PC platform availability?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is available on PC through multiple platforms. The game launched on Steam on March 20, 2025, alongside the console release.
This marks a change in Ubisoft’s strategy, as the company previously restricted some games to its own launcher. According to the search results, “The days of Ubisoft locking its games on its own launcher are now officially over.”
PC players can enjoy the same content as console users with no platform-specific restrictions.
How does one gain early access to Assassin’s Creed Shadows?
There were no formal early access programs for Assassin’s Creed Shadows before its official release. Some retailers and services may have offered early play through special editions or promotions.
Players who pre-ordered special editions might have received certain in-game bonuses or content, though not necessarily early access to the main game. Ubisoft Plus subscribers receive access to the game as part of their subscription.
What is the historical setting in which Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes place?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set in feudal Japan during the Sengoku period (late 16th century). This era was characterized by political intrigue, civil war, and social upheaval.
The game features two playable protagonists: Yasuke, a real historical figure who was a samurai of African origin serving under daimyo Oda Nobunaga, and Naoe, a fictional female shinobi character.
The setting allows players to explore major Japanese cities of the period including Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo), as well as the surrounding countryside.
