Assassin's Creed Shadows: A Wave of Free Content Is Coming — And It Kicks Off This Month

Ubisoft goes all in with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, unveiling a post-launch roadmap that promises to turn this already acclaimed title into a true gaming powerhouse.

Since its release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows has positioned itself as one of the standout games of the year. With its stunning art direction and finely tuned gameplay, Ubisoft’s latest installment quickly won over a vast community of players. After a major first update — patch 1.0.2 — which notably added auto horse follow and fixed various frustrating bugs, the game is now set to enter a whole new phase. With free updates, new parkour mechanics, an ambitious expansion, and customizable visual options, Ubisoft is setting the stage for an exciting 2025 in feudal Japan, Assassin’s Creed style.

Image credit: Ubisoft

A Packed Content Roadmap

On April 30, Ubisoft revealed a lineup of upcoming content set to roll out over several months. Most of it will be completely free, delivered as regular “Story Drops.” These narrative mini-expansions will not only introduce new quests and exclusive activities, but will also enrich the lore around beloved side characters.

• The first Story Drop, “The Works of Luis Frois,” arrives in early May.
• A second episode is slated for June, introducing a new recruitable ally for the Hidden Blade League.

Each Story Drop will have a lasting impact on the game world.

Parkour Gets a Refresh

For fans of fluid, cinematic movement, Ubisoft has some exciting upgrades in store. An update planned for late May will introduce new acrobatic moves for both Naoe and Yasuke. Highlights include:

• Vertical jumps to grab ledges without needing a wall,
• Smoother back-ejects,
• And more parkour improvements coming throughout 2025.

This renewed mobility promises even more freedom in urban exploration — a core pillar of the Assassin’s Creed experience.

Customization, Your Way

Ubisoft has been listening to its community. Several upcoming features are a direct result of player feedback:

• Toggleable visual filters on the fly,
• Option to show or hide headgear during cutscenes,
• General UX optimizations.

Great news for fans of cinematic storytelling and polished screenshots.

A Major Expansion on the Horizon

The crown jewel of the roadmap is undoubtedly Claws of Awaji, the game’s first paid expansion, expected to launch sometime after June. Players can look forward to:

• An all-new region to explore: Awaji Island, steeped in tradition and mystery,
• Roughly 10 hours of brand-new narrative content,
• An exclusive weapon for Naoe: the Japanese bo staff.

The expansion will continue the story of the iconic duo, Naoe and Yasuke, picking up directly after the main campaign’s epilogue. Expectations are understandably sky-high.

The Quebec-based studio is also teasing more surprises yet to be announced. With a New Game+ mode, new difficulty levels for the hardcore crowd, and ongoing quality-of-life improvements, Assassin’s Creed Shadows continues to evolve. If Ubisoft sticks to the roadmap, this game could well become a genre benchmark by next year.

And judging by what’s on the horizon, the journey through feudal Japan is only just beginning.

PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S

Par Alexandre Kor

Editor-in-Chief

Alexandre Kor fell in love with video games playing the original Mario Bros on NES—and that passion never left. As Editor-in-Chief, he ensures the site’s editorial quality, offering all readers an enriching and enjoyable experience.