Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice
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Critic Reviews for Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice
Aiko's Choice is a polished, challenging, and welcome – though a bit short – standalone expansion to the exceptional Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun was one of my favorite games of 2017, and Aiko's Choice is a return to form. Mimimi Games continues to deliver tight gameplay, incredible stealth, and a compelling story to tie it all together.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice is more of the original, which means it's more of one of the best real-time tactics games around. The few issues that you could have with the original, such as the difficulty curve, are made worse due to the location of these missions within the larger story - and with it being standalone - which could make it inaccessible. The lack of introduction to characters, presuming foreknowledge, also means new players will find it hard to get into. Even with these flaws, I could only recommend it as it looks great, sounds great, and plays even better.
Both new and returning players will be challenged by Aiko’s Choice, but the rewards are worth the effort. Effectively completing the game’s missions is satisfying in the same way as solving a tough puzzle. Added to that are the game’s lovely art and music, a cast of engaging characters, and an interesting story. I suggest playing the base game first, though, if for no other reason than to get up to speed on the mechanics. It’s a shame that Aiko’s Choice doesn’t welcome new players a little more, but those who persevere will be rewarded. For fans of the original, the expansion has been worth the wait.
Aiko's Choice is a solid addition to Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, which expands the game's story by introducting a new villain straight from Aiko's past. The three main levels will keep you entertained for a few hours, but if you're expecting new mechanics or daring gameplay you might be in for a disappointment.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Aiko's Choice may be a simple expansion of Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun not renewing the original proposal, the gameplay developed by Mimimi, with a goldsmith's precision in the level design and the many tactical possibilities offered, has once again allowed us to have a very good time with our squad of Japanese assassins from the Edo period.
Review in French | Read full review
A masterful, methodical journey through the shadows of Edo Japan – brilliantly polished and perfectly paced, my only real sadness is that there was not more of it.
Aiko’s Choice is utterly unconcerned with critics of the base game, and instead focuses entirely on giving fans a more intense version of its concepts.
