Assassin's Creed Shadows: Claws of Awaji Switch 2 Review - Stunning Views and a Stifled Storyline

Why It Matters

The DLC demonstrates Ubisoft’s strategy of extending franchise longevity through location‑focused expansions, while its mixed narrative impact highlights the challenge of delivering compelling stories in post‑main‑game content.

Key Takeaways

• Awaji island offers stunning visuals and well‑scaled exploration
• Story centers on Naoe's reunion, lacking strong emotional payoff
• Combat remains aggressive; new bo staff adds fresh tactics
• Requires completing main game first, limiting DLC flexibility
• Eight‑to‑ten hour runtime feels appropriate for $25 price

Pulse Analysis

Ubisoft continues to leverage downloadable content as a primary engine for keeping flagship franchises relevant, and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows – Claws of Awaji exemplifies that approach on the Nintendo Switch 2. By tying the expansion to the base game’s storyline, the publisher ensures players are already invested in the world of feudal Japan before venturing onto the new island. The Switch 2 hardware handles the title without noticeable frame‑rate drops, delivering smooth docked and handheld experiences that rival previous console releases. This technical stability reinforces the console’s growing reputation as a viable platform for premium AAA titles.

The gameplay loop builds on the core Assassin’s Creed formula while injecting fresh variety. Players can switch between Yasuke’s direct, heavy‑hitting style and Naoe’s agile, stealth‑oriented approach, a duality that encourages multiple playthroughs. The addition of the bo staff expands the combat toolkit, offering longer reach and new combos that feel rewarding in New Game Plus runs. Island exploration balances dense forests, coastal vistas, and tightly designed mission corridors, delivering a world that feels neither cramped nor endless. Enemy encounters, including a series of challenging captains, maintain the series’ trademark tension and satisfaction.

Narratively, Claws of Awaji aims for emotional weight by reuniting Naoe with her mother, yet the payoff feels muted compared with the series’ more dramatic moments. The villainous Templar Kimura Yukari provides a clear antagonist, but supporting characters lack depth, limiting player attachment. At eight to ten hours of content for $25, the DLC sits in a middle ground: longer than a typical mission pack but shorter than blockbuster expansions like Blood and Wine. For dedicated fans, the visual splendor and new weapon justify the price, while newcomers may view the mandatory main‑game prerequisite as a barrier.