The "Claws of Awaji" DLC for Assassin's Creed Shadows is generally viewed as a solid but somewhat unremarkable expansion. It offers about 10 hours of focused gameplay on the island of Awaji, introducing a new weapon type for Naoe (a bo staff) and raising the difficulty with more aggressive enemies. The story continues from the base game, focusing on taking down three powerful taisho and wrapping up some loose plot threads, especially involving Naoe's missing mother and the Templar order's influence. Reviewers note that while the expansion has a strong sense of place with a gloomy, well-designed island environment that encourages exploration and tense combat encounters, its story is predictable and not particularly deep or revealing. The new boss fights are challenging and play to the strengths of the two main characters, Yasuke and Naoe, but the overall adventure lacks the grand revelations or exciting new dimensions seen in past Assassin's Creed expansions. In terms of gameplay, the addition of the bo weapon with its stance-based combat is a fresh and enjoyable element, and the island's design with verticality adds interest to exploration. Enemy NPCs are more hostile and dynamic, creating a constant tension during travel and encounters. However, the DLC does not strongly justify its existence beyond being a continuation and conclusion to Shadows' story. Some reviewers felt the new characters and antagonists, while intriguing, could have been given more depth, and the expansion might have benefited from a longer runtime to fully flesh out its narrative. In summary, "Claws of Awaji" is recommended mainly to those who enjoyed Assassin's Creed Shadows and want a challenging, atmospheric conclusion, but it is less likely to convert new players or those looking for a groundbreaking expansion.