Ubisoft reveals launch dates of Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ “Claws of Awaji” expansion, New Game Plus mode

Ubisoft has confirmed the release dates of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows’ first expansion pack, “Claws of Awaji”, and the New Game Plus mode for the main game, in a post on X. Set on a new island called Awaji, the Claws of Awaji DLC will launch on September 16, 2025. The New Game Plus mode for Assassin's Creed: Shadows will arrive earlier, on July 29.

The Claws of Awaji expansion will be free for those who pre-ordered Assassin’s Creed: Shadows; for the rest, it will be a paid DLC.

The Claws of Awaji expansion: A lost treasure, new foes, new weapon

The first Assassin’s Creed: Shadows expansion adds the Awaji island to the open-world role-playing game. As per the developers, the island of Awaji is “a place of mysterious beauty” where you’ll go in search of a lost treasure and meet new enemies. The Claws of Awaji introduces a “new deadly faction” to the game. Beware of the “traps and ambushes” that lie in store for you on the island of Awaji.

The Claws of Awaji expansion also adds “Bō”, a new weapon type for the ninja protagonist Naoe. Additionally, as you progress through the story, you’ll unlock new skills, gear and abilities. The Claws of Awaji expansion comes with 10 hours of additional story content related to the main plot of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows: New Game Plus mode

As part of the announced progression update, Assassin’s Creed: Shadows will get the New Game Plus mode on July 29. It brings a level cap increase from 60 to 80, Forge level 4, the chance to upgrade Knowledge ranks to 9 and 10 and hideout building upgrades. Moreover, the progression update will add new Animus-themed rewards and new store content. Complete weekly missions to get free rewards.

The New Game Plus will unlock for players once they reach the credits of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows. With New Game Plus, you can replay the story of the main game either from the very start or after Naoe becomes the owner of your hideout. In New Game Plus mode of Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, you get to retain the character level, gear, skill points, Knowledge rank and Hideout, while the story, location and objective board progression will get reset. Those who replay and complete Assassin’s Creed: Shadows again via New Game Plus mode will unlock unique rewards.