Assassin’s Creed Shadows DLC Claws of Awaji, which launches at this time, kicks off with a shock side-scrolling intro sequence that is reminiscent of Ubisoft’s basic Prince of Persia collection, themed round a Japanese puppet present.
Throughout a hands-on gameplay session, builders who labored on Claws of Awaji at Ubisoft Bordeaux informed IGN that the thought started life as a cool idea put collectively by a small crew whereas the studio was between main tasks, following its work on Assassin’s Creed Mirage.
When Bordeaux formally began work on Claws of Awaji, the thought resurfaced as a methodology to introduce the brand new story’s setting and characters, and was constructed out utilizing inspiration from Prince of Persia, the spin-off Assassin’s Creed Chronicles collection, in addition to non-Ubisoft side-scrollers reminiscent of Playdead’s Inside.
Whereas comparatively fundamental, the side-scroller supplies a sensible strategy to shortly get gamers on top of things on Awaji itself, which is an island separate from the principle Japanese map and solely accessible with Shadows’ first main add-on. Awaji is overseen by Kimura Yukari, the DLC’s most important antagonist, and it shortly turns into obvious that you’re taking part in by way of a propaganda-fuelled puppet present meant to rejoice her rule.
Not solely does the introduction showcase Yukari, it additionally supplies gamers with their first hints on the destiny of a mysterious Murderer who appears to be Naoe’s long-lost mom. Besides, of course, you are listening to about her from Yukari’s level of view — and it is protected to say the 2 do not get alongside. General, it is a intelligent framing system that tells gamers just about all the pieces they should know in regards to the state of Awaji earlier than Naoe’s boots contact its shore.
Gameplay-wise, you will largely be navigating easy stealth and platforming sections, in addition to transient moments of fight that see Shadows’ normal methods flattened down onto a 2.5D aircraft. It is a enjoyable experiment, and I notably favored how the sidescroller’s narration reacted to what I used to be doing — reminiscent of once I was noticed by enemies, or carried out notably effectively throughout fight. There are a couple of areas with branching paths, too — though the general end-point is similar.
Whereas a lot about Claws of Awaji will doubtless find yourself feeling acquainted to followers who’ve already ploughed 100 hours into the principle Assassin’s Creed Shadows recreation, the DLC does present a collection of stand-out unique moments to maintain issues recent. One other of these is its enjoyable stealth boss struggle, which IGN has all the small print of. Gamers on the lookout for closure on the bottom recreation’s storylines — such because the destiny of Naoe’s mom and the placement of that ultimate thriller field — must also come away glad, Ubisoft has mentioned.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You may attain Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social