Ubisoft has rolled out major updates for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, including the long-awaited New Game+ mode, increased level caps, and a detailed roadmap heading into fall 2025. While the additions promise to expand gameplay possibilities, reactions within the community remain mixed—particularly around changes to exploration mechanics.
New Game+ and Level Cap Increase Arrive with Patch 1.0.7
On July 29, 2025, Ubisoft released Patch 1.0.7, bringing a fully integrated New Game+ feature. Players can now restart the story of Assassin’s Creed Shadows while retaining all progress, gear, abilities, and upgrades earned during their initial playthrough.
The patch also raises the level cap from 60 to 80, introducing new Mastery Skills and enhanced upgrade paths through Heiji’s Forge. Several new trophies and achievements have been added, such as:
- “Enjoy the Ride” (Reach Level 80)
- “Stars Unseen” (Achieve Knowledge Rank 10)
- “Worth Its Wait” (Forge a Gold Katana in New Game+)
These updates aim to provide additional endgame motivation, though some players question whether the reward structure is substantial enough to warrant a replay.
Quality-of-Life Features Coming in September
A set of quality-of-life (QoL) improvements is scheduled for early September. These include:
- Automatic map unfogging through synchronized viewpoints
- Time-of-day fast-forward system
- Unlocked cutscene framerate for smoother storytelling
- New Forge tiers allowing crafting of Mythic and Artifact gear
While these features streamline gameplay, a portion of the community has expressed concern that the automatic map reveal may undercut the immersive exploration that has defined previous titles in the franchise.
“RIP to anyone who spent hours manually unfogging the map…” one Reddit user commented, highlighting a broader debate around simplifying game mechanics post-launch.
“Claws of Awaji” Expansion Set for September 16
Ubisoft also confirmed the release of the first major DLC, titled Claws of Awaji, launching on September 16, 2025. This expansion introduces:
- A new explorable region
- Over 10 hours of additional missions and content
- New weapons, bosses, skills, and character outfits
Claws of Awaji will be free for pre-order customers and available for separate purchase. It is expected to significantly broaden the narrative and mechanical scope of the game.
Port to New Platforms in Development
Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will expand to additional platforms later in 2025. While official details remain scarce, multiple industry sources suggest that a version for the next-gen Nintendo Switch (unofficially dubbed “Switch 2”) is under active development.
This aligns with Ubisoft’s broader strategy to make flagship titles more accessible across diverse hardware.
Over 5 Million Players—but Is the Momentum Sustainable?
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has surpassed 5 million global players, making it one of the franchise’s strongest-performing entries in recent years. However, reactions to the latest roadmap are divided. While some praise Ubisoft’s ongoing support, others remain skeptical about the balance between accessibility and gameplay depth.
Final Thoughts
The Assassin’s Creed Shadows summer roadmap reflects Ubisoft’s commitment to post-launch development with a focus on longevity, replayability, and accessibility. Yet not all players are convinced. The debate surrounding exploration simplification, replay incentives, and long-term value suggests that the title’s evolving identity is still under close community scrutiny.
As the Claws of Awaji expansion approaches and more QoL changes go live, the coming months will reveal whether Ubisoft’s strategy succeeds in reinforcing player engagement—or diluting the core Assassin’s Creed experience.