Murderer’s Creed Shadows DLC Claws of Awaji, which launches at the moment, kicks off with a shock side-scrolling intro sequence that is harking back to Ubisoft’s traditional Prince of Persia sequence, themed round a Japanese puppet present.
Throughout a hands-on gameplay session, builders who labored on Claws of Awaji at Ubisoft Bordeaux instructed IGN that the concept started life as a cool idea put collectively by a small staff whereas the studio was between main tasks, following its work on Murderer’s Creed Mirage.
When Bordeaux formally began work on Claws of Awaji, the concept resurfaced as a technique to introduce the brand new story’s setting and characters, and was constructed out utilizing inspiration from Prince of Persia, the spin-off Murderer’s Creed Chronicles sequence, in addition to non-Ubisoft side-scrollers resembling Playdead’s Inside.
Whereas comparatively primary, the side-scroller supplies a wise approach to rapidly get gamers up to the mark on Awaji itself, which is an island separate from the principle Japanese map and solely accessible with Shadows’ first main add-on. Awaji is overseen by Kimura Yukari, the DLC’s important antagonist, and it rapidly turns into obvious that you’re taking part in by means of a propaganda-fuelled puppet present meant to rejoice her rule.
Not solely does the introduction showcase Yukari, it additionally supplies gamers with their first hints on the destiny of a mysterious Murderer who appears to be like to be Naoe’s long-lost mom. Besides, in fact, you are listening to about her from Yukari’s perspective — and it is protected to say the 2 do not get alongside. Total, it is a intelligent framing machine that tells gamers just about all the pieces they should know concerning the state of Awaji earlier than Naoe’s boots contact its shore.
Gameplay-wise, you will principally be navigating easy stealth and platforming sections, in addition to temporary moments of fight that see Shadows’ standard programs flattened down onto a 2.5D airplane. It is a enjoyable experiment, and I notably favored how the sidescroller’s narration reacted to what I used to be doing — resembling after I was noticed by enemies, or carried out notably properly throughout fight. There are a few areas with branching paths, too — though the general end-point is similar.
Whereas a lot about Claws of Awaji will seemingly find yourself feeling acquainted to followers who’ve already ploughed 100 hours into the principle Murderer’s Creed Shadows recreation, the DLC does present a sequence of stand-out authentic moments to maintain issues recent. One other of those is its enjoyable stealth boss battle, which IGN has all the main points of. Gamers in search of closure on the bottom recreation’s storylines — such because the destiny of Naoe’s mom and the placement of that last thriller field — must also come away glad, Ubisoft has stated.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You’ll be able to attain Tom at [email protected] or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social