Three years after its release on PC, Shadow Tactics returns to consoles with its standalone expansion Aiko’s Choice. Is there enough sneaking and slashing to warrant your time? Or should this be exiled by the shogun once more?
The Furious Five’s Adventures
It’s been almost 10 years since Shadow Tactics: Blades Of The Shogun released to positive reviews with its unique blend of tactical stealth and adventure. The story of the original title follows a group of five main characters: Oshiro, Hayato, Yuki, Aiko and Takuma who bid to foil a plot of corruption and betrayal in the era of feudal Japan. Now, with the release of Aiko’s Choice on consoles, players can experience the standalone expansion that provides more focus on the thief Aiko, whilst bringing the other characters along for the ride. Taking place in between events with General Okkoto and the group leaving for the marshlands, the story focuses on Aiko and her former mentor, Lady Chiyo. Chiyo is now working for the warlord Kage-sama. It’s a story that feels more intimate than the original tale and on a much smaller scale. It’s serviceable and fans of the original will feel rewarded for playing this expansion but it’s also worth noting how little the game did to remind players of the events of the previous story. For someone picking up this game with no knowledge of the original title, they will be given little to no context whatsoever which I can’t help but feel is a misstep from developers Mimimi Games.
Whilst context is lacking, heart is not so in Aiko’s Choice. The story does a fantastic job at fleshing out the five main characters with obvious emphasis on Aiko herself. The conversations between the characters feel natural and organic, making a true connection to the group along their journey. They laugh and squabble at times like a family and when the game deliberately slows down in the smaller scale levels, I often stopped to interact with the characters to see what they would speak about next. Unfortunately, these intimate moments are few and far between as the overall story is extremely short and fails to gain any real momentum before the curtain call. It’s a solid story that focuses on themes of companionship, regret and corruption but it’s a story that I cannot recommend as a standalone investment, since without playing the original title, you truly will not be able to fully grasp the tale or its characters. Fortunately though, I can whole heartedly recommend gameplay.
A Slashing Good Time
Gameplay in Aiko’s Choice truly is king. Controlled from a top down perspective once again, this is a fantastic achievement in stealth action gameplay. Returning from the original title are the previously mentioned five characters, each with their own unique skill set and abilities that really make the game feel varied and unique and this allows the player to truly cater to their own individual style. Each character has its own strengths and weaknesses and the developers have done a fantastic job giving the player their own autonomy to weave their own style with these characters – whether it’s through sheer muscle and might with the samurai or through ranged weapons or stealth. It feels like multiple games in one with these styles and I cannot recommend it enough. Each of the five main levels feels like a finely balanced chess match; I constantly began to observe each area, scanning for hiding spots or plotting vantage or ambush points. Along with the returning shadow ability that truly makes you feel like an assassin, the developers have crafted a more well-rounded and polished version of what the original game had attempted to achieve.
This game is not for the faint hearted though. The first few hours of the game were the most frustrating for me as I worked out the kinks with combat and it really felt like a game of trial and error for a while. The missions themselves are also complex but thankfully unlike the original, they don’t have as much tediousness or odd parameters that stunt the overall pace or action of the game. My personal favourite mission involves five islands that force you to use different members of the group along with different combinations of them to progress the level. There are smaller scale levels on offer as well in Aiko’s Choice but they act as breaks from the larger scale maps and a chance to interact with the characters and their thoughts on recent events. When I try to think of a way of summing up gameplay, I keep coming back to one word and that is ‘rewarding’. If you have played the original, Aiko’s Choice truly is the upgraded polished version.
Understated Polished Beauty
Graphically speaking, Aiko’s Choice is gorgeous. Each of the main areas looks rich in detail and I often spent time sneaking around the environments just to marvel at them. The developers have gone for a look that I would liken to cell shading which makes character models pop with colour, whilst making areas look vibrant and full of splendour. Lighting is also a strong point for the game’s presentation, in making darkly lit areas seem more mysterious, whilst simultaneously building tension for the player. It was important the developers nail the setting and feel of feudal Japan and, like the previous game, they have knocked it out of the park with beautiful and rich visual presentation. Another important thing to mention is the improvement the game has made in the quality of life department with a better save system, stronger UI and polished menus.
Similarly, the sound design and musical score in Aiko’s choice is superb. The sound of swords slashing and clanging together is something to behold. Every action has a sound reaction that truly creates such great atmosphere that is simply wonderful. Simple things like throwing a rock and hearing it clatter against an environment sounds so simple, yet so polished, it really makes each move you make feel impactful. Returning from the original game is the soundtrack that once again perfectly complements the story and gameplay with a deftly quiet score that encapsulates the era the game is set in. A stunning effort across the board in terms of presentation.
Verdict
For fans of the original game, Aiko’s Choice is a solid, if not spectacular return to the series. A middling story and short length threaten to derail the game but thankfully with its addictive gameplay and gorgeous visuals, this game is certainly worth fans’ time. Coupled with superb sound design and a beautiful atmospheric score, the return to feudal Japan is a positive one. See you in Edo!
