Release Date: December 6, 2021
Standalone expansion to the very warmly welcomed Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun. The game tells the story of kunoichi Aiko, who unexpectedly has to face the consequences of her past and former life.
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice is a tactical strategy game developed by Mimimi Games studio. The game is a standalone expansion to the well-received Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun. Unlike its predecessor, Aiko's Choice was released for PC only.
The game takes place in 17th century Japan during the early Edo period. The story continues the events shown in Shadow Tactics. The main heroine is kunoichi Aiko known from the previous game. After saving Japan from the mysterious Kage-sama, the girl unexpectedly faces her past. Together with her friends, Aiko goes into battle against a new enemy with a strong connection to her former life.
Aiko's Choice doesn't significantly change the formula of the original game. This is still a stealth, real-time strategy game. We have several characters at our disposal, each with unique abilities. For example, Aiko is a master of camouflage, she can disguise herself as a geisha and talk to enemies for diversionary purposes. Despite their competence, the characters have no chance in an open fight with a larger group of enemies. Moreover, the death of any of the playable characters means the end of the game. Gameplay is therefore based on completing levels silently, eliminating enemies from hiding or avoiding them.
The game is challenging but fair, allows for unlimited saving at almost any time, and never skimps on information. Encountered guards have sight cones, showing their range of vision. Killed or stunned enemies can be moved to hide their bodies. We can also place a marker on the map at any time and see which enemies are able to see it. The maps are full of interactive objects, which we can use to eliminate guards by posing as accidents. If an enemy spots us or a body we have abandoned, they will raise the alarm. During the alarm the guards carefully scour the area and receive support from additional patrols.
One of the most important elements of the game is the shadow mode, thanks to which we can synchronize the actions of our characters. By activating it we can give orders to several units at once. After leaving the shadow mode they will execute their orders at the same moment.
The expansion features a single player campaign only. This is made up of three full-fledged missions and three shorter tasks that act as interludes.
Like the basic Shadow Tactics, Aiko's Choice has a very eye-pleasing graphic design. The graphics have a cartoonish style thanks to the use of cel-shading. Both the main game and expansion run on the Unity engine.
Platforms:
PC Windows December 6, 2021
PlayStation 5 December 6, 2024
Xbox Series X/S December 6, 2024
Switch 2 March 18, 2026
Developer: Mimimi Games
Publisher: Daedalic Entertainment
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Five years after the release of Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun we will get a standalone expansion to this tactical Commandos-like RTS. A trailer featuring gameplay footage from the expansion was presented at gamescom.
video games
Iltutmis
August 28, 2021
Daedalic Entertainment and Mimimi Games announced a standalone expansion for Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice, which will focus on the adventures of the titular Ninja warrior.
video games
Adrian Werner
March 25, 2021
System Requirements for Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i3-2100T 2.5 GHz / AMD Quad Core 2.5 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GT 640 / Radeon HD 7750 or better, 4.5 GB HDD, Windows Vista 64-bit.
Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i3-4330 3.5 GHz / AMD Quad Core 3.9 GHz, 6 GB RAM, graphic card 1280 MB GeForce GTX 570 / 2 GB Radeon HD 6950 or better, 4.5 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
Game Ratings for Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice Video Game.
GamesCreed: 3.8 / 5 by Sarwar Ron
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.
COGconnected: 82 / 100 by Mark Steighner
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.
Wccftech: 7.5 / 10 by Chris Wray
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.
Average score from votes.
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