Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

When Ubisoft dropped the Claws of Awaji DLC trailer, I was hyped. A Japan-based expansion with new gear and some fresh lore? Say less. I’m into martial arts, Japanese storylines, and stealthy vibes—so this had my attention from the jump.

Nowaki Was Fire – But the Story Felt Meh

Let’s start with the good. That boss fight with Nowaki the Ambusher? Easily the best part of this DLC. Add in the vanguard fight and some cool new island areas to explore, and it had moments that pulled me in. The Bo staff was also a huge win—clean animations, smooth combos, and just a dope weapon to wield. Ubisoft definitely nailed that one.

But story-wise… it felt off. I thought we’d get to play as Tsuyu (Naoe’s mother), and that would’ve been sick. A proper flashback arc where you play both Tsuyu and Naoe could’ve added emotional depth and tied things together. But nope—we missed that opportunity.

The Final Boss Fight… a Big Miss

Now, let’s talk about the final boss. Honestly? Worst final boss experience I’ve had in the Assassin’s Creed series. And that’s saying something. I liked her as a character, but the fight mechanics were broken. I played it on Expert and even switched to Story Mode, and I still ran into bugs.

Dodging didn’t feel responsive, and parrying felt completely off. At one point, I got stuck mid-fight in some weird glitch—wasn’t even near a corner or anything. And when I tried to dodge, it just pulled me into her attack instead of away. That’s not a skill issue. That’s just bad design or a bug.

Verdict: 3 out of 5 stars

This DLC had potential. I loved the Bo staff, enjoyed fighting Nowaki, and the island setting was solid. But everything else? Repetitive. And that final boss fight was straight-up frustrating. For a game that’s all about precision and stealth, this just didn’t land right.

Still, if you’re deep into Assassin’s Creed Shadows, it might be worth grabbing for the gear and the vibes—but manage your expectations.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows DLC – Claws of Awaji now available. Buy now!

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Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I first heard about It Takes Two through my cousin, and then started seeing it everywhere online. I’m not someone who watches a lot of gaming streams, but this game looked different—fun, creative, and packed with co-op action. I even found myself watching others play, which I rarely do. So I finally tried it myself on my Nintendo Switch.

Co-Op Gameplay – Built on Teamwork

It Takes Two is a game that literally requires two people to finish. It’s all about communication and teamwork, which is refreshing in today’s world of solo grinding and loot hunting. The storyline is surprisingly emotional, and the characters grow on you the more you play. It’s not just a game—it’s about solving problems together, and that’s a cool dynamic.

As a beginner gamer, I still had a good time figuring things out with my player two. The controls felt smooth on Switch, and the platforming was accessible.

Challenges – Repetitive, But Still Enjoyable

Now, here’s where it lost a bit of momentum for me. The challenges and mechanics start to feel repetitive after a while. Some puzzles and obstacles were fun at first, but the lack of variety made me lose interest here and there. I kept hoping for something more creative in the later stages.

Still, the game has charm. And if you’re playing with the right person, you’ll laugh, struggle, and high-five your way through it.

Verdict: 4 out of 5 stars

It Takes Two is definitely a unique co-op experience, especially on the Nintendo Switch. The emotional story, teamwork mechanics, and co-op-only gameplay make it stand out. But for me, the repetitive challenges pulled it down a notch.

Worth playing with someone you vibe with, but don’t expect every level to blow your mind.

Have You Played It Takes Two Yet?

Did you finish it with a friend or partner? What was your favorite level? Drop your thoughts below!

The post It Takes Two – Fun Co-Op with Room to Grow appeared first on Level Up With Dann.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

I’ve always had a soft spot for samurai and shinobi games. There’s something about the calm before a katana clash—the tension, the precision, the discipline—that hits different. So when Rise of the Ronin was announced, I was hyped.
A samurai open-world game by Team Ninja? Sign me up.

Coming from the studio behind Ninja Gaiden and Nioh, I expected polished combat mechanics, tight swordplay, and beautiful, atmospheric visuals. Unfortunately, Ronin didn’t quite deliver.

The Good: Alternate Timelines & Stealth Moments

Let’s start with what I liked.
The timeline system is a cool feature. It gives you reasons to go back in a New Game+ (NG+) playthrough, and the added Midnight difficulty mode brings more challenge to the table.

There were a few duels and stealth missions that really landed for me. Those quiet, sneaky sections reminded me of old-school Tenchu—something I always welcome in shinobi-style games.

But beyond that… this game struggled to find its rhythm.

The Combat Feels Off

Here’s the thing—when a game puts a katana in your hands, the combat has to feel sharp. And this? It didn’t.
The parry system felt clunky, and even after hours of play, I couldn’t quite get into the flow.

Now don’t get me wrong—I’ve played Sekiro. I’ve played Ghost of Tsushima. I know what responsive, clean sword combat feels like. So when I say the mechanics here felt off, I’m not just salty for missing a parry or two. It’s not about “git gud”—it’s about feedback, timing, and animation polish.

Visuals That Don’t Match the Era

For a next-gen samurai game on PS5, I expected more visually. The environments lack detail, the animations feel stiff, and the lighting never quite captures the beauty of Meiji-era Japan.
It’s not unplayable—it’s just underwhelming, especially in a world where we’ve seen what Tsushima can do.

Verdict: 3 out of 5 stars

I wanted to love this game. I really did. But Ronin feels like a missed opportunity.
It had potential—a great setting, decent world-building, and some cool moments—but it just didn’t land the final blow.

If you’re a hardcore fan of samurai games, you might still find a few moments to enjoy. But for me, the combat never clicked, the story was just okay, and I didn’t even bother finishing NG+.
So yeah, this one gets 3 stars—mainly for the effort, the timeline concept, and the stealth missions.

But if you’re looking for precision combat, polish, and immersion, this one might leave your katana craving unsatisfied.

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