Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - Aiko's Choice

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.

Plot

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.

Mechanics

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.

Game modes

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.

Technical aspects

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.

Last updated on 27 October 2024