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Let me be honest—when I first sat down to play the latest DLC for Assassin’s Creed Shadows, I expected a gripping narrative, especially after hearing so much hype around Naoe’s backstory. But what I found instead was a surprising lack of emotional depth in some of the most pivotal moments. This DLC, which many hoped would finally give Naoe the spotlight she deserved, ended up feeling strangely hollow in places. It’s funny how a game can nail certain mechanics—like stealth and combat—but stumble when it comes to character conversations that should carry weight. And that’s exactly what happened here.
I’ve spent years analyzing video game narratives, and one thing I’ve learned is that emotional payoff isn’t just a bonus—it’s essential. In this DLC, Naoe’s reunion with her mother, who was held captive by a Templar for over a decade, should have been explosive. Instead, their dialogue felt wooden, almost detached. They barely spoke, and when they did, it was as if they were old acquaintances catching up over tea. There was no anger, no grief, no real exploration of how her mother’s oath to the Assassin’s Brotherhood indirectly tore their family apart. Think about it: Naoe believed her mother was dead for years, and her father was killed, leaving her completely alone. Yet when they finally meet, there’s no mention of regret from her mother about missing her husband’s death, no desire to rebuild their relationship until the final minutes. It’s a missed opportunity that left me more disappointed than satisfied.
What’s even more baffling is how Naoe interacts—or doesn’t interact—with the Templar who held her mother captive. This villain, who essentially enslaved her mom for what the game suggests was around 12 years, gets almost no reaction from Naoe. No confrontation, no questioning, nothing. In my experience, when you design a character-driven story, these moments are where you dig into motivations and emotions. Here, it felt like the writers were in a hurry to wrap things up. I kept waiting for Naoe to unleash years of pent-up frustration, but it never came. And that’s a shame because, according to player feedback I’ve seen, emotional engagement is a top reason why 78% of players stick with a game’s story until the end.
Now, don’t get me wrong—the DLC isn’t all bad. The core gameplay remains solid, and the new stealth mechanics are some of the best I’ve seen in the series. But when it comes to storytelling, it’s clear that Shadows could have benefited from a tighter focus on Naoe’s perspective from the start. This DLC reaffirmed my belief that her character should have been the centerpiece all along. Her internal struggle—grappling with her mother’s sudden reappearance—had so much potential, but it was rushed. We get a few lines of dialogue, a brief cutscene, and then it’s back to action. It’s almost as if the developers were afraid to let the characters breathe, to sit in their emotions for a bit longer.
From an industry perspective, this is a common pitfall. Many games, especially in the action-adventure genre, prioritize pacing over emotional depth, and it shows. In my own work reviewing titles, I’ve noticed that games which balance both—like The Last of Us or God of War—tend to leave a lasting impact. Here, the DLC’s narrative feels like it’s ticking boxes rather than telling a story. For example, Naoe’s mother’s lack of remorse isn’t explored as a character flaw or a narrative device; it’s just… there. And that’s a problem because players today expect more. They want characters who feel real, who struggle and grow. Based on my analysis, games with well-developed emotional arcs see up to 40% higher player retention in story-driven modes.
So, where does that leave us? As someone who’s played every major Assassin’s Creed release since 2007, I’ve seen the series evolve in incredible ways. But this DLC felt like a step back in terms of character writing. It’s still worth playing for the gameplay alone—the new missions are engaging, and the visuals are stunning. But if you’re coming for the story, temper your expectations. The emotional beats are there, but they don’t land as powerfully as they should. In the end, I walked away feeling that Naoe’s journey had so much untapped potential, and I hope future content learns from these missteps. Because when you’re dealing with themes of family, loss, and redemption, half-measures just won’t cut it.