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

Aiko's Choice is a rewardingly difficult, well-polished, excellently paced bow on Blades of the Shogun's legacy. Honestly, the only major issue I had with it was that I wanted more when it was over after around 12 hours. These abilities are so fun to find new uses for, and these levels are so good looking and cleverly designed, that I felt like I had an appetite for a dozen more.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun – Aiko’s Choice is 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. Granted, if you weren’t a fan before, this won’t do anything to convince you otherwis; if you’ve never played Shadow Tactics before I’d highly recommend starting with the original. But once you fall for it, Aiko’s Choice is an excellent expansion to what made the original game so appealing.

Overall, 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. And of course, players who disliked any aspect of Shadow Tactics will find all of the same flaws or misgivings within Aiko’s Choice.