The next adventure is coming in the shadow of the cherry blossoms: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is bringing a breath of fresh air to feudal Japan – starting this fall. The previously closed island of Awaji, located west of Sakai, will be accessible for the first time and will serve as the backdrop for the upcoming Story DLC Stealing Awaji
An island opens its gates – and a new chapter begins
Naoe and Yasuke, the unlikely duo from the main game, find themselves on the isolated island, which offers around ten hours of additional gameplay, a new weapon type, and expanded abilities. Those who have already discovered Awaji on the map can finally look forward to exploring it in depth starting in September or October.
According to internal schedules, the release remains unaffected by Ubisoft’s recent project delays. The DLC is set to be released as planned – a clear sign that the development team is working particularly consistently here. Awaji also looks set to offer plenty in terms of visuals: initial leaks hint at dense bamboo forests and dangerous coastal temples.
Particularly worthwhile for quick decision-makers: Owners of the Gold or Ultimate Edition will receive the expansion automatically. Newcomers may be motivated by the upcoming DLC to invest in the more comprehensive version right away – not least because of the harmonious expansion of the world design, which already caused a stir in the main game.
Co-op mode with story depth – Assassin’s Creed Shadows surprises twice
In 2026, fans can expect a real novelty: the eagerly awaited co-op mode from Assassin’s Creed Shadows will not only allow players to fight together, but will also feature its own story. And this apparently goes far beyond the familiar main characters.
Insiders report that in co-op mode, you won’t simply control Naoe and Yasuke in parallel. Instead, the focus will be on a standalone storyline with additional playable characters whose origins have not yet been fully revealed. This leaves room for speculation – perhaps characters from the DLC or completely new personalities will play a role.
With this move, Ubisoft seems to be focusing on long-term storytelling. Instead of simple side missions, the co-op mode apparently provides a new narrative foundation. Similar approaches in other titles, where supporting characters matured into main characters, have been particularly successful in the past.
For fans, this means that co-op mode will be more than just a technical gimmick. It could take the universe of Assassin’s Creed Shadows to a new level narratively. And it will do so with fresh perspectives, surprising twists, and plenty of room for discovery.
