Ubisoft has announced an extensive update plan for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, promising regular free content additions including new game modes, quests, and community-driven enhancements. The company revealed this strategy in a recent announcement.
Upcoming Expansion: Claws of Awaji
The first expansion titled Claws of Awaji is set to launch later this year, introducing a new region called Awaji Island, situated in Japan’s Inland Sea. While Awaji Island is already visible on the game map, players will finally be able to explore it fully in this expansion. Claws of Awaji will continue the narrative of Naoe and Yasuke, immediately following the game’s epilogue, and will contribute approximately ten hours of additional gameplay. Included will be a new weapon for Naoe: the bo, a staff integral to Japanese martial arts. This expansion is a pre-order bonus, and pricing details for others have yet to be confirmed.
Story Drops and Quality-of-Life Improvements
In addition to the expansion, Ubisoft will launch several free updates called Story Drops, with the first arriving in May titled “The Works of Luis Frois.” This content will delve into the backstory of Frois, a Jesuit missionary who arrives in Japan alongside Yasuke. The following Story Drop is planned for June, adding a new recruitable ally to the League of the Hidden Blade. Each of these updates will significantly influence the game’s narrative.
Furthermore, the development team is focused on enhancing the game’s quality of life. Following the initial patch that introduced auto-follow for characters on horseback, future updates are expected to add new parkour abilities for Naoe and Yasuke. Notably, players have requested features like the ability to jump from a standstill to reach ledges, which is anticipated in upcoming patches. There are also plans to incorporate community feedback on features such as wearing headgear during cutscenes.
New Game Plus and Difficulty Settings
Significant additions are on the horizon, including a New Game Plus mode that will elevate the level cap, alongside more challenging difficulty settings for both stealth and combat scenarios. These changes aim to enrich gameplay and maintain player engagement.