Solely accessible after you’ve got accomplished the principle story of Murderer’s Creed Shadows, Claws of Awaji is a post-game growth that’ll take you someplace between 5 and ten hours to finish, relying on how completely you discover the island setting.
By way of narrative, the DLC wraps up a number of free ends that have been left dangling by Shadows’ numerous finales, and in that sense, it seems like a worthwhile outing.
Nevertheless, Claws of Awaji faces the identical impediment that each one trendy Murderer’s Creed expansions battle to take care of: it is including to an already huge open world sport which will nicely have outstayed its welcome many hours in the past.
That’s to say, there’s nothing a lot new on this island. You will unlock recent talents, weapons, armour, equipment — the same old bits and items that’ll preserve you ticking packing containers throughout one other icon-littered map, however your enjoyment will hinge virtually completely on whether or not you’ve got had your fill of Shadows’ gameplay loop.
A loop that, arguably, already felt drained lengthy earlier than rolling the bottom sport’s credit.
To be honest, Awaji does have some respectable tips up its sleeve. Having carved a marketing campaign of blood throughout the mainland, protagonists Naoe and Yasuke are a recognized risk to the brand new dangerous guys, and they also’re hunted all through the DLC.
Ambushes and sudden boss fights make the titular island really feel fairly harmful even for those who’re simply partaking in some informal exploration. There is a sure thrill to Awaji that is not current within the core launch, and that helps it stand out.
Likewise, the principle story missions are typically pretty partaking, because the growth makes higher use of Naoe and Yasuke’s partnership. You will swap between the leads on a surprisingly frequent foundation, pushing you to maximise their strengths relying on the state of affairs.
Claws of Awaji is a good growth, however outdoors of some cool story moments, it by no means actually elevates itself past the bottom sport. There was room for enchancment right here, in Shadows’ stunted fight and stealth mechanics, and its open world construction, however in the end, the DLC performs it very protected — for higher or worse.
