Assassin's Creed Shadows Just Got Sharper: New Game+, Level Cap Lift, and Katana Bling!
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows just got a hefty update with New Game Plus, a level cap increase, and some much-needed economic tweaks, meaning more reasons to dive back into feudal Japan. Prepare for more loot, tougher enemies, and enough katana action to make your ancestors proud.
Right, Assassin's Creed Shadows fans, gather 'round! Ubisoft just dropped Update 1.0.7 (spotted first by the eagle-eyed folks at IGN South Africa), and it's a juicy one. Forget polishing your hidden blade; this update's about giving you more reasons to actually *use* it. Think of it as a digital shot of sake for your samurai spirit.
First and foremost: New Game Plus is here! That's right, once you've rolled credits and seen the story through, you can jump right back in with all your hard-earned gear, skills, allies, and even your hideout progression. Feels good, doesn't it? You can either restart completely or pick up after Naoe gets to the hideout for the first time. Think of it like a chance to right the wrongs you did the first time (like accidentally assassinating that poor farmer who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time… we've all been there, mate).
But that's not all. Ubisoft's cranked the level cap up from 60 to 80 and the Knowledge Rank from 8 to 10. What does this mean? Bigger, badder enemies who'll require more than just button mashing. You'll need to actually, you know, *think* about your strategy. I know, shocking, right? Also, you can upgrade your Forge to level 4 to max out all your gear to level 80. Time to dust off those forgotten weapons!
And for those completionists out there (you know who you are), there are shiny new rewards for braving New Game Plus. We're talking exclusive gold katanas and long katanas for Naoe and Yasuke, respectively. Plus, three new achievements/trophies to add to your collection. Bragging rights are essential, after all. The new achievements include "Enjoy the Ride" (Reach Level 80), "Stars Unseen" (Reach Knowledge Rank 10), and "Worth its Wait" (Complete the story on New Game Plus).
Ubisoft's also been tinkering with the in-game economy. They've boosted the amount of Mon (that's in-game cash, for you history buffs) you get for selling items and lowered the cost of buying things. Plus, dismantling items now yields more resources. It's like they're actually listening to players for once! This will make it easier to upgrade your gear and progress through the game. It’s kind of like finding a hidden stash of treasure behind a loose wall panel in your dojo... if your dojo was a game.
Looking ahead, Ubisoft plans to keep the updates coming. A patch in early September will let you fast-forward the time of day (because who has time to wait for nightfall?) and better unfog the world map when synchronizing viewpoints. And on September 16, the first major expansion, Claws of Awaji, arrives as a paid add-on (free if you pre-ordered).
There's also a huge list of bug fixes including a particularly interesting one addressing floating trees and rocks in the game’s environment. They fixed issues stopping players from being able to complete quests and even added an option to “Mark all as Read” to the Codex Menu! Plus a Level Selector for Knowledge Path.
So, to sum it up: more levels, shinier swords, and less grinding. Sounds like a win to me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a date with a katana and a whole lot of unsuspecting samurai.
Tags: Assassins Creed Shadows, Ubisoft, Patch Notes, New Game Plus, Gaming News
Original article: IGN South Africa