Assassin's Creed Shadows Claws of Awaji DLC Arrives on Nintendo Switch 2

The Claws of Awaji expansion for Assassin's Creed Shadows arrived on Nintendo Switch 2 at midnight on March 10, completing a library gap that had existed since the base game launched on the platform late last year. Ubisoft confirmed the paid DLC dropped at 12:00 AM local time, giving Switch 2 owners access to content that had already been available on other systems since September.

The expansion sends protagonists Naoe and Yasuke across Osaka Bay to the island of Awaji in pursuit of a long-lost historical treasure, while also tracking rumors of a mysterious shinobi. Ubisoft describes Awaji as "an island filled with traps and ambushes," where the pair quickly discover they are being hunted by the Sanzoku Ippa clan, a secretive new enemy faction. The DLC adds new bosses and enemy types beyond the clan, though Ubisoft has not published a full roster.

Ubisoft frames the expansion's scope around "more than 10 hours of new content," a figure that encompasses castle clearing, story missions, and exploration across the new island. On the gear side, the DLC introduces new skills, weapon abilities, armor, and outfits for both characters. Legendary Bō staves, each carrying unique engravings, are primarily earned by completing the story and clearing castles on Awaji, with additional staves available through the Animus Hub and store bundles. Crucially, all new gear carries back into the main game, meaning the DLC's rewards are not walled off to its new area.

The Switch 2 release lands against a backdrop of steady post-launch support. Ubisoft dropped a substantial update for the platform in December, and version 1.1.8 arrived on February 17 adding detailed stat pages, updated visual feedback for critical hits, and a manual jump option in parkour. Looking ahead, Ubisoft's Winter Roadmap also flags a one-year anniversary celebration beginning March 20, with livestreams and giveaways planned.

Critical reception for the expansion on other platforms offers a mixed preview. Nintendo Life gave the base game an 8/10 on Switch 2, calling it "a colossal achievement and one of the best-looking games on Nintendo's console." Push Square's review of Claws of Awaji on PS5 was cooler, scoring it 6/10 and concluding it "never really elevates itself beyond the base game." Whether the Switch 2 version closes that gap remains to be seen; Nintendo Life indicated it would publish its own assessment of the expansion separately.

Pricing for the paid DLC was not disclosed in Ubisoft's announcement materials, so players should check the relevant storefront listing for current cost before purchasing.