Solely accessible after you’ve got accomplished the principle story of Murderer’s Creed Shadows, Claws of Awaji is a post-game enlargement that’ll take you someplace between 5 and ten hours to finish, relying on how totally you discover the island setting.
When it comes to narrative, the DLC wraps up a number of unfastened ends that had been left dangling by Shadows’ varied finales, and in that sense, it seems like a worthwhile outing.
Nonetheless, Claws of Awaji faces the identical impediment that every one fashionable Murderer’s Creed expansions battle to take care of: it is including to an already huge open world recreation which will effectively 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 hold you ticking bins 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 recreation’s credit.
To be truthful, Awaji does have some first rate methods up its sleeve. Having carved a marketing campaign of blood throughout the mainland, protagonists Naoe and Yasuke are a recognized menace 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 when you’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 usually pretty participating, because the enlargement 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 scenario.
Claws of Awaji is an honest enlargement, however exterior of some cool story moments, it by no means actually elevates itself past the bottom recreation. 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 secure — for higher or worse.
