Info about Assassin's Creed Shadows - Claws of Awaji:

Official game description:
EXPLORE A MYSTERIOUS ISLAND
Embark on a new adventure as Naoe and Yasuke and travel across the bay of Osaka, to the mysterious island of Awaji.
As the pair scour this land in search of a lost artifact, they must navigate deadly ambushes and evade the traps set by powerful new foes.
UNLOCK NEW WEAPONS AND SKILLS
Get legendary Bō weapons for Naoe and unlock fresh skills, outfits, and perks for both protagonists. All new gear can be carried back into the main game to expand your arsenal.
A NEW CHAPTER IN THE ASSASSIN'S CREED SHADOWS STORY
Become Naoe and Yasuke once again, and discover this new chapter of their stories as they follow the path of a mysterious shinobi and face the dangerous Sanzoku Ippa clan.
Players will need the base game to access this expansion. The expansion includes 10+ hours of content.
Available for free to all Assassin’s Creed Shadows players who pre-ordered the game.

Release date: Sep 16, 2025

Categories: Action Adventure, Stealth Gameplay, Open-World Exploration, Character Progression, Combat, Story-driven Gameplay, Historical Setting

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 20; verdict: Poor; summary: The user feedback for the 'Claws of Awaji' DLC of Assassin's Creed Shadows indicates significant dissatisfaction with the value for money, technical issues, and customer loyalty. Many users feel that the DLC is overpriced for the content provided, and several report technical problems that prevent them from accessing the DLC. Additionally, there is a notable impact on customer loyalty, with users expressing reluctance to purchase future DLCs. The length of the content is also criticized as being too short.
- Steam Deck: score 90; verdict: Broken; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals significant issues with the Ubisoft Connect launcher, frequent game crashes, and progress-blocking bugs. These issues severely impact the user experience, making the game difficult to play and enjoy.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $30.00 - $40.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community finds the base game price of around $60-$70 to be too high. Many reviews mention that the game is worth considering only when on sale, indicating that the fair price is lower than the current base price. The repeated mentions of the game being overpriced at $60-$70 and the suggestions to wait for a sale imply that a fair price range would be significantly lower.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.0h
  - Story completion: 3.5h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides multiple data points regarding the playtime for different aspects of the game. The first quote suggests that completing the major side quests takes around 10 hours. The second quote corroborates this by stating that 10 hours is realistic for 100% completion. The third quote indicates that the main story can be completed in 3-4 hours, which aligns with the typical campaign completion time. The fourth quote suggests that session lengths can vary, with some players spending hours without engaging in combat, indicating varied session lengths.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is perceived as dull and repetitive from the beginning, with no significant improvement in fun over time.
  - Stance: Never clicks
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: 0h 0m
  - Friction: repetitive missions; tedious parts; boring content
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: N/A
- Player Archetypes:
  - Loyal Fan (sale)
    - Motivation: Continuation of the base game experience
    - Playstyle: Exploration and completion of content similar to the base game
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: fan of the series; die hard fan
    - Reference games: Assassin's Creed Shadows; Elden Ring; Silksong
  - Completionist (deep sale)
    - Motivation: Achieving 100% completion and unlocking all achievements
    - Playstyle: Grinding and repetitive tasks to complete all content
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: deep sale
    - Labels: completionist; achievement hunters
    - Reference games: Assassin's Creed Shadows; Elden Ring
  - Story Critic (no buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking a well-crafted narrative and meaningful content
    - Playstyle: Engaging with the story and evaluating the quality of writing and design
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: critical player; narrative-focused player
    - Reference games: Assassin's Creed Shadows; The Last of Us Part 2; Resident Evil 4


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Enjoyable gameplay experience (weight 0.19): Many players found the gameplay to be fun and enjoyable. The gameplay mechanics, along with the visuals and new weapons, contributed to an overall positive experience.
- New weapons and moves (weight 0.17): The new weapons, particularly the long staff (Bo staff), were found to be fun and powerful. Players enjoyed the fresh and practical additions to the gameplay.
- Engaging boss battles (weight 0.17): The boss battles were highlighted as interesting, unique, and challenging. Players appreciated the well-made and enjoyable nature of these encounters.
- Story continuation and completion (weight 0.13): The DLC provided a direct continuation of the protagonist's story, completing the game's narrative. Players appreciated the story feeling complete and well-integrated.
- Well-made DLC content (weight 0.12): The DLC was appreciated for being well-made and wrapping up the story effectively. Players enjoyed the overall content and found it to be a good addition to the game.
- Beautiful island visuals (weight 0.09): The new island, Awaji, was praised for its beautiful graphics and scenery. Players enjoyed the visuals and the activities packed into the island.
- Integration with base game (weight 0.05): The DLC was noted to fit well with the base game and was considered better than the base game by some players. It added valuable content and improvements.
- Expansion of Naoe's story (weight 0.05): The DLC expanded on Naoe's story, providing a nice ending and additional content related to this character. Players enjoyed the new weapon and story elements related to Naoe.
- Fixed issues (weight 0.05): Some players reported that issues were fixed through re-installation or updates, improving their overall experience with the game.

Common complaints:
- DLC pricing and quality issues (weight 0.29): Players frequently complain about the high price of the DLC, stating it is overpriced and not worth the cost. Additionally, many mention that the DLC is short, of poor quality, and sometimes even unplayable due to various issues.
- Access issues with DLC (weight 0.26): Many players report difficulties accessing the DLC despite meeting all requirements and completing necessary prerequisites. Issues include the DLC not launching, installation problems, and missing quests or NPCs needed to start the DLC.
- Poor narrative and storytelling (weight 0.23): The story and narrative of the game are criticized for being poorly written, weak, and disappointing. Players find the storyline mediocre and uninteresting, with some mentioning that the plot points are stupid and the overall narrative is lazy.
- Boring and repetitive gameplay (weight 0.12): The gameplay is criticized for being boring, repetitive, and uninteresting. Boss fights are particularly mentioned as being dull and unbalanced.
- Game crashing and performance issues (weight 0.1): The game is reported to crash frequently, with players experiencing non-stop crashing and various performance issues. These problems significantly hinder the ability to play the game smoothly.
- DLC feels like cut content (weight 0.08): Many players feel that the DLC content should have been part of the main game, suggesting that it feels like it was cut from the main game and sold separately.
- Lack of content and poor animations (weight 0.07): Players note a lack of content, including motion capture and highlights. Additionally, there are complaints about poor facial animations and insufficient combat and playtesting.
- Empty and uninteresting game world (weight 0.06): The game world is described as very empty and uninteresting, with almost no new gameplay elements. This makes the overall experience less engaging.
- Poor customer support (weight 0.05): Players report poor customer support from Ubisoft, with many issues remaining unresolved. This leads to a frustrating experience when trying to get help.
- Poor map design (weight 0.05): The map is criticized for being poorly designed and cumbersome to navigate. Players suggest that the map could be bigger and better designed.
- Release issues and delays (weight 0.05): There are reports of delays in the Steam release and other platform issues, leading to frustration among players waiting to access the game.

Gameplay feedback:
- Frequent enemy ambushes (weight 0.12): Enemies frequently ambush the player, using disguises and traps, which adds to the game's difficulty and unpredictability.
- Diverse gameplay and missions (weight 0.11): The game offers a variety of gameplay tasks and mission types, providing diverse playstyles and experiences.
- Exploration and traps (weight 0.1): The game includes challenging exploration with various traps and hidden dangers, making navigation more engaging and difficult.
- Stealth and combat mechanics (weight 0.07): The game introduces new combat mechanics, including stealth-focused missions and the stance mechanic for weapons.
- Linear and continued story (weight 0.07): The storyline is more linear and serves as a direct continuation of the original game's story.
- Challenging enemy behavior (weight 0.05): Enemies in the game have high HP and exhibit challenging behaviors, making combat more difficult.
- New characters and outfits (weight 0.05): The game introduces new characters, outfits, and abilities, adding fresh content and customization options.
- Assassination and NPC mechanics (weight 0.05): The game includes assassination mechanics and NPC guidance, adding depth to gameplay and interaction.
- Co-op and single-player modes (weight 0.03): The game supports both co-op gameplay and single-player modes, catering to different player preferences.
- New island setting (weight 0.03): The game features a beautiful new island, Awaji, providing a fresh environment for players to explore.
- Similar gameplay to original (weight 0.03): The gameplay mechanics are similar to the original game, maintaining consistency and familiarity for returning players.

Performance notes:
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.16): The game experiences frequent crashes across various scenarios, including during missions, cutscenes, and CG scenes. This issue is widespread and affects the overall gameplay experience.
- Bugs and technical issues (weight 0.12): Players report encountering various bugs and technical issues, ranging from minor bugs to progression-stopping bugs. These issues are found in different parts of the game, including the DLC.
- Specific crashing scenarios (weight 0.05): The game crashes during specific scenarios such as loading into cutscenes, during the finale, and at a particular time (8 PM). These crashes are less frequent but still notable.
- Save data and file errors (weight 0.04): Some players have reported losing save data and encountering file system errors, which can significantly disrupt the gaming experience and cause frustration.
- Controller and mouse issues (weight 0.03): There are reports of poor controller handling and mouse functionality issues, which can affect the ease of playing and overall user experience.
- Positive performance feedback (weight 0.03): Some players have reported smooth performance and a lack of bugs, indicating that the game can run well under certain conditions.

Recommendations:
- Wait for a sale (weight 0.12): Many players suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing the game or its DLC, indicating a perception of better value at a discounted price.
- Recommended for fans (weight 0.08): The game and its DLC are recommended for those who enjoyed the main game or are fans of the series, suggesting it appeals more to existing fans.
- Avoid the DLC (weight 0.07): Several reviews advise against buying the DLC due to unresolved issues or dissatisfaction, indicating potential quality or content concerns.
- Mixed feelings on pricing (weight 0.04): Opinions on the game's pricing are mixed, with some finding it worth the price and others suggesting it is not, reflecting divided views on its value.
- Focus on main storyline (weight 0.02): New players are advised to focus on the main storyline first, implying that the main game's content is substantial and engaging.
- Positive recommendation for DLC (weight 0.02): There are recommendations for the DLC, indicating that some players found it worthwhile and enjoyable.
- Desire for more content (weight 0.02): Players express a desire for more content like this, suggesting that they found the existing content enjoyable and want more of the same.
- Long completion time (weight 0.01): The game takes more than 10 hours to complete if not rushed, indicating a substantial amount of content.
- Buy alternative games (weight 0.01): Some reviews suggest buying alternative games instead, indicating that there might be better options available.

Other player notes:
- DLC received with reservation (weight 0.02): Players who reserved the game received the DLC for free as a bonus.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.37): Players are frustrated primarily due to excessive difficulty, unfair gameplay mechanics, and frequent bugs or crashes. Specific complaints include poorly designed stealth boss fights, constant ambushes, and traps interrupting exploration. Additionally, issues with DLC access, high pricing, and poor customer support contribute significantly to this frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.21): Disappointment stems from the poor narrative and lack of contribution to the overall saga, with many players finding the story underwhelming and predictable. The DLC is often seen as overpriced and not worth the cost, with repetitive gameplay and lack of innovation. Players also express disappointment with the short length of the DLC and the feeling that it should have been part of the standard game.
- Anger (weight 0.12): Anger is primarily caused by technical issues such as frequent game crashes, bugs, and DLC not working as expected. Players also express anger over the high price of the DLC and the perception of unfair monetization. Poor customer support and the feeling of being cheated by the DLC content further exacerbate this anger.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): Satisfaction comes from the enjoyable gameplay and story continuation provided by the DLC. Players appreciate the new weapons, boss mechanics, and the overall quality of the DLC. The addition of new combat mechanics, characters, outfits, and abilities, as well as beautiful graphics, contribute to a satisfying experience.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Enjoyment is derived from the fun gameplay mechanics, new weapons, and the continuation of the story. Players appreciate the new region and broader mechanics introduced by the DLC. The diversity in missions, stealth missions, and the overall experience of exploring new areas and fighting bosses contribute to this enjoyment.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is generated by the innovative boss fights and new gameplay mechanics introduced in the DLC. Players are excited about the new twist to combat and the challenging boss encounters. The potential of the gameplay and storytelling, as well as the introduction of new weapons and abilities, also contribute to this excitement.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy comes from the overall enjoyable experience of playing the DLC. Players find joy in the new weapons, moves, and the beautiful environments. The fun gameplay and the exploration of the island of Awaji contribute to this positive emotion.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from issues such as DLC access problems and missing NPCs despite completing the main storyline. Players are also confused by negative reviews despite the DLC being free with pre-order and technical issues like black screening.
- Appreciation (weight 0.01): Appreciation is felt for the unique introduction and enhanced gameplay elements provided by the DLC. Players appreciate the new castles, temples with unique sections, and new weapons. Visual improvements and the beautiful location of Awaji also contribute to this appreciation.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Disappointment is felt due to the pricing and integration of the DLC, as well as story and character decisions. Players are disappointed with the pricing of the game and DLC, feeling that it does not provide enough value for the cost.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom stems from the lots of filler content and emphasis on combat, which players find uninteresting. The repetitive weekly quests and overall uninteresting gameplay contribute to this feeling of boredom.
- Sarcasm (weight 0.01): Sarcasm is expressed towards Ubisoft's handling of the DLC, with players sarcastically thanking Ubisoft for the unplayable DLC and referencing 'ubi-slop'. This reflects a sense of frustration and disappointment with the company's handling of the DLC release.
- Happy (weight 0): Happiness comes from enjoying the DLC and the new weapon introduced. Players are happy that the gameplay is still fun and engaging, providing a positive experience overall.
- Annoyance (weight 0): Annoyance is caused by the frequent ambushes and lack of fun side quests. Players find the weak story and repetitive gameplay elements annoying, detracting from the overall experience.
- Love (weight 0): Love for the game is expressed due to the older Assassin's Creed vibes and the introduction of the Bo staff. Players appreciate the nostalgic elements and the new weapon mechanics.
- Regret (weight 0): Regret is felt by players who paid full price for the DLC and found the content unsatisfactory. Players regret their purchase due to the poor quality and lack of value provided by the DLC.
- Amusement (weight 0): Amusement comes from the humor found within the DLC. Players find certain aspects of the DLC humorous and entertaining, providing a light-hearted experience.
- Amused (weight 0): Players are amused by the frequent appearances of certain characters within the DLC. These character appearances provide a source of entertainment and amusement.}