Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice Reviews
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: Aiko's Choice is the kind of stealth game that makes me reconsider my opinions on stealth games. Finely crafted and gloriously conceived, if you've missed out on Shadow Tactics before, don't let Aiko's Choice sneak on by... but you should play or replay the original first.
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 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
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
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.
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.
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.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of Shogun – Aiko's Choice is an excellent DLC that adds even more challenging levels to the already excellent structure of the original game. Unfortunately, its standalone release is not very justified, given the need to have played the original title to better enjoy it.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
It's an almost flawless port. Don't ask whether you can play a tactical strategy game on a console or not, just get it and play.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Shadow Tactics: Aiko’s Choice is a good game for a very specific audience. Fans will need to be both interested in character-driven stealth-action sequences and in the universe that the first game in the series has established. Taking down a complex enemy setup with careful planning and timing is challenging and satisfying at the same time. The biggest problem with the package is the focus on big set pieces.
After 5 years of silence there is new great DLC for stealth tactical game from feudal Japan.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
If you like Shadow Tactics, grab it in the air. It's a good opportunity for newcomers, too.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
With Aiko's Choice, Mimimi Studios returned to Japan, offering a great addition for those who have already climbed Blades of the Shogun up and down. There is not too much new content, but its quality, fortunately, is on top.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun – Aiko’s Choice was a surprising release five years after the original’s debut, but I’m glad it exists. Whilst it doesn’t tread any new ground, it doesn’t need to, thanks to its excellent level design and gameplay that still fresh and rewarding.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun – Aiko’s Choice is an excellent addition to the series, albeit one that comes half a decade too late. Not that it feels dated, but the huge gap between the two makes it feel awkward and out of place at times.
Aiko’s Choice is a great follow-up for one that already loved every aspect of Shadow Tactics. Those that never played the original should definitely play that first before considering the expansion.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice is a chance to re-encounter our favorite assassin quintet in unique and impeccably well-planned missions. It's true that no new additions were included in the expansion, but on the other hand, it carefully executes what was already excellent and deepens the story of one of its most beloved characters. It is highly recommended for those who enjoy RTS and mandatory for those who liked the original title.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Aiko’s Choice is a document of a developer at the top of their game, doing what they love to do. Fans of the original Shadow Tactics are sure to enjoy these new missions, particularly because of the way they expand upon and improve the main game. Currently, Mimimi Games are working on their next real-time stealth tactics game with the codename “Süßkartoffel” (or sweet potato in English). Before Shadow Tactics was released, the company nearly went bankrupt – now able to self-publish their next game, anything seems possible. In the meantime, Aiko’s Choice serves as a reminder of how enthralling real-time stealth tactics can be.