Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Game
Game2021
Shadow Tactics: Aiko's Choice
Developer Mimimi Games
Aiko's Choice is the anticipated standalone expansion to the acclaimed stealth strategy game Shadow Tactics. Set in Edo Japan, you take control of the skillful kunoichi adept Aiko and her deadly assassin friends to hunt down the ghosts of her past. From the Steam store page
267 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 1, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
91
LovedLoved
153 positive · 16 negative
95% range 85–94%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 153 | 16 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 24 | 0 | 59 |
| Mastodon * | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 5 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
1,377 of 1,477 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
91% recommend · 160 yes, 15 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 175 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (4,545 of 4,862 positive).
Players praise the game as more of the excellent Shadow Tactics, with brilliant level design and emotional storytelling. [1][2][3] Many note it is a short standalone expansion with only a few full missions, best bought on sale. [4][5][6] Some reviewers find it disappointing, citing lack of new content and bugs. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
I love Shadow Tactics, but this expansion is so disappointing and underwhelming - even when putting aside the immense amount of bugs. Nothing new, besides Lady Chiyo (who is given barely any screentime or backstory), really comes from playing this after the main game. It costs what, £17? For only 3/6 of the missions to have badges and actual gameplay. The fact that there are only 5 missions + an epilogue could've …
- [1]
An emotional masterpiece – Thank you, Mimimi! I cannot recommended this game (or Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun or Desperados 3) more: FULLY RECOMMENDED EVEN AT FULL PRICE - I got this game on discount and truly feel ashamed. Having played almost every title from Mimimi Games, Aiko’s Choice (and Desperados 3!) feels like a particularly precious gift. This game embodies everything I have come to love about this …
- [4]
Aiko's Choice is more of the same Shadow Tactics. If you enjoyed the original game then you will also like playing this. However, something very important to keep in mind is that it is far shorter than the original game. This only has 6 levels and 3 of those aren't full levels. While the game is very fun, introduces some new challenges, and opens up to having the full roster which wasn't always the case in the …
- [5]
Quick Description: -Aiko's Choice is the standalone follow up to Shadow Tactics Blades of the Shogun. While I really enjoyed my time with this game, it feels like a missed opportunity. There is really only 3 true missions (3 other story/tutorial levels that only last a few minutes). There are no new enemies, no new classes, and no new abilities. All 3 of the new levels are excellent, but they are really meant for …
- [2]
Just Perfect. This and the main game are just peak stealth games. Great characters, great level and art design. Everything is just magnificent
Summarised from 34 of the 251 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 12, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
91% of the 175 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Shadow Tactics: Aiko's Choice. The complaint that keeps coming up: very short with only 3 full missions. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Reactions
60 of 267 · most liked first11. Shadow Gambit Developers Mimimi singlehandedly revitalized the stealth strategy genre when they released Shadow Tactics, and it's a shame that their last game flew under the radar, Shadow Gambit is a criminally underappreciated stealth murder puzzle gem. store.steampowered.com/app/1545560/...
neutral · AI labelView post →27. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun With this game, developer Mimimi singlehandedly resurrected the stealth strategy genre that started with the likes of Commandos and Desperados, and it's every bit the successor to that legacy you could ever desire, nobody did it quite like them. Play it!
neutral · AI labelView post →This game is incredible, as is the same crew’s Desperados 3 and Shadow Tactics. No one, and I mean no one, has done realtime stealth tactics better than Mimimi.
positive · AI labelView post →Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun still free to grab on Europe PSN (grab PS4 demo, then claim PS5 game) PS4 demo : store.playstation.com/en-gb/produc... PS5 game : store.playstation.com/en-gb/produc...
neutral · AI labelView post →I love Shadow Tactics, but this expansion is so disappointing and underwhelming - even when putting aside the immense amount of bugs. Nothing new, besides Lady Chiyo (who is given barely any screentime or backstory), really comes from playing this after the main game. It costs what, £17? For only 3/6 of the missions to have badges and actual gameplay. The fact that there are only 5 missions + an epilogue could've been overlooked, even for nearly £20, if only they held any genuine substance…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →LIVE on TWITCH I had never heard of Shadow Tactics until this week and this game is Extremely good twitch.tv/lancemcdonald just absolutely addicted. Dunno how I never came across this but super happy to have now. ⫶ ⤷ twitch.tv/lancemcdonald ⬅️SNEAKY LADY
positive · AI labelView post →An emotional masterpiece – Thank you, Mimimi! I cannot recommended this game (or Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun or Desperados 3) more: FULLY RECOMMENDED EVEN AT FULL PRICE - I got this game on discount and truly feel ashamed. Having played almost every title from Mimimi Games, Aiko’s Choice (and Desperados 3!) feels like a particularly precious gift. This game embodies everything I have come to love about this studio. Why I loved this game: Real-time strategy at its finest:…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Totally not worth it, I did not experience anything new apart from the base game. Not enough meaningful content, just 3 playable missions, and the first one is just tutorial mission for new player. They even reuse the maps from the original game !!! The plot is much easier than the original game, most scenes are separated, the hints are so obvious. No difficulty (and joy) at all. I played the original game for almost a week, and this DLC for less than a day.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →aril fools im live on twitch twitch.tv/lancemcdonald #AprilFoolsDay tricked you heeha Getting pretty close to the end of Shadow Tactics now, this game rules sorry whomber
positive · AI labelView post →Heya! Started Shadow Gambit, stealth tactics game about cursed pirates vs Eldritch Spanish Inquisition, from the Shadow Tactics dev (rip). I'm loving it! Interesting world and characters and the gameplay is addictive! More Against the Storm and some REmake4. Got a couple quick poinks the other day.
positive · AI labelView post →A bunch i really liked were: - Hades (and Hades 2) (action roguelike) - Dead Cells (side scroller roguelike) - Celeste (Precision Platformer) - HexCells (puzzle game) - Shadow Tactics: Blade of the Shogun (Stealth Strategy, the other games by the same dev are great too) - Prey (well, maybe its not an indie, but its great) - Vampire Survivors (Bullet Heaven, great to zone out too, lots of things to collect) - BugSnax (Not sure if Indie, but a lot more fun than it looks) - Cave Story (Side…
neutral · AI labelView post →Aiko's Choice is more of the same Shadow Tactics. If you enjoyed the original game then you will also like playing this. However, something very important to keep in mind is that it is far shorter than the original game. This only has 6 levels and 3 of those aren't full levels. While the game is very fun, introduces some new challenges, and opens up to having the full roster which wasn't always the case in the original, I would have to say to get this one on sale. The amount of gameplay you're…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Fredo's Game-Os: I'm going to make another post evangelizing the sadly now defunct developer Mimimi. I'm currently playing Aiko's Choice, the stand alone expansion to Shadow Tactics, and it fucking rules - much like the original game. Apparently their next game, Shadow Gambit - is even better
positive · AI labelView post →Indie games trending today 1️⃣ Duck Game 2️⃣ A Dance of Fire and Ice 3️⃣ What Remains of Edith Finch 4️⃣ Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun 5️⃣ Scrap Mechanic #gamedevelopment #gamedev #indiedev
neutral · AI labelView post →This is not a standalone game, this is a very small dlc for the first shadow tactics game, with no unique features. Dont buy unless heavily discounted and you liked the base game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm feverish but I still wanna game, so booted up Shadow Tactics....every time I look around the map, I just go "how tf am i gonna do this?" 😅😂 almost every route requires a lot of effort to get through lol
neutral · AI labelView post →What is your one game you'll shamelessly promote until every person on the planet has played it? Mine is Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun. It's somewhere between live and tactical. Just really fun gameplay in Edo Japan. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlp8...
positive · AI labelView post →Finished my last game for the year: Aragami. Base game + DLC. I enjoyed Nightfall a lot, reminds me of Shadow Tactics: ninjas with a mission. Also reminiscent of SW Rogue One with the whole suicidal mission thing 🙂
neutral · AI labelView post →Much shorter than the base game and they assume you are already familiar with the game concept. I like the new stages design overall.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's been 0 days since the last game dev layoffs. German independent studio Mimimi makers of Shadow Tactics is shutting down and letting everyone go as the founders step back. Would have preferred this to be a game dev acquisition story tbh. www.gameswirtschaft.de/wirtschaft/m...
neutral · AI labelView post →Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is currently free on PSN store just add free demo to library and add game for free via game listing (got copy for myself)
neutral · AI labelView post →Now I'm playing Sumerian Six - a stealth-tactics game where you kill Nazis in an alternate WW2 with crazy technology. Feels a lot like a Mimimi game (e.g. Shadow Tactics, Shadow Gambit), and is also very stylish and well-polished so far.
neutral · AI labelView post →20 Day Video Game Challenge. 20 video games that greatly influenced you. No explanations, no reviews, just pictures. Day 20: Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun #GameChallenge #Games #GameDev
neutral · AI labelView post →When Super Metroid came out, you could basically count every release that came out in a year across all platforms. That's not possible anymore. There are probably plenty of great games we haven't played because the marketing was done no favors by their titles. To name one off the top of my head, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun. Blades of the Shogun is an excellent title, but they wanted a larger Shadow Tactics series that never came to be. That studio didn't see enough success to…
neutral · AI labelView post →I finished this game last year, but only thought of writing a review today because it was such an incredible experience that it earned a special place in my heart. It's sad to see that Mimimi Games is no longer around, but their games will continue to live on through the memories of their fans. Their passion, creativity, and attention to detail made every adventure unforgettable. Now it's time for me to dive into Desperados III and Shadow Gambit. Thank you to the amazing developers and the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's a standalone expansionn to Shadow Tactics, which is a good game as well. Is it worth 20 bucks? Ehhh, my advice is to get it on a discount. The levels are good but the reality is that 2 of them are more like mini missions and the other 3 are full missions. That's not a whole lot added, but do to it being more of the good Shadow Tactics it still carries a recommendation. You should also play the main game first, it does tell you what happened as an intro but that's not quite the same as…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Reviewing (mostly) every game (or DLC) in my library, part 371: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (9/10) Oh, Mimimi Games. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways: Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun; Desperados 3, and now Shadow Tactics: Aiko's Choice. Banger after banger after banger. Be warned though: Aiko's Choice is a standalone expansion to the first game with the same characters and mechanics—but just more. And I love it for that. 🌷 Pros: Excellent stealth-strategy gameplay. The core of…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The gameplay itself is fine, it is more of the same gameplay in the same setting, but it is a DLC sold as a stand-alone game. Plotwise it happens during the main game campaign, and features all characters from Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun without adding any new mechanics. It offers 3 "proper" missions - 30-40 minutes long each, with story and badges mechanic, and inbetween them 5 very short episodes that are at best 5-10 minutes long, with no replayability, badges or real challenge,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It didn’t hit me until way into Chapter 6 that this game is similar to Shadow Tactics in that it utilizes a real time tactics stealth mechanics. I guess this means I got used to real time tactics 😂 Kinda cool when I think about it like that 😃 #Eriksholm
neutral · AI labelView post →Quick Description: -Aiko's Choice is the standalone follow up to Shadow Tactics Blades of the Shogun. While I really enjoyed my time with this game, it feels like a missed opportunity. There is really only 3 true missions (3 other story/tutorial levels that only last a few minutes). There are no new enemies, no new classes, and no new abilities. All 3 of the new levels are excellent, but they are really meant for ppl that have finished the base game, b/c they are quite challenging. I only…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you already played Shadow tactics you know what you are getting on this stand alone DLC, more goodness, with a story that happens in the middle of the events on the original game. great stuff. Runs great on the steam deck.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →With the experience gained from ST:BoTS, Aiko's Choice felt a little easier. Took my time to thoroughly clear through the missions. But, this definitely has the same flair like its predecessor. Very enjoyable and great for killing time. HOWEVER, I recommend buying this ONLY when it's on sale. It's suppose to have 'SIX' missions. Only 1, 3 and 5 are proper full fledged missions. The others are like, short stories. Fillers. They take like 5-15mins to finish.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just Perfect. This and the main game are just peak stealth games. Great characters, great level and art design. Everything is just magnificent
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🔥 Dishonored is $2.49 (75% off) on Steam until Oct 20, 1 PM ET ⭐ Lowest Steam price in a year · 97% positive on Steam · Steam Deck Verified 💸 Also at all-time Steam lows: Death's Door $1.99, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun $3.99 🛒 7 more deals in the post #SteamDeals #PCGaming
neutral · AI labelView post →Shadow Tactics: Aiko's Choice It's more Shadow Tactics, and more Shadow Tactics is good Shadow Tactics. Thumbs up, and let's hope for Shadow Tactics 2! tt's a bit short sadly, but the end was very heartwarming :> I really liked all the additional stories between the characters. I love this world and the characters so much.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Today's #pixelart character is Takuma, from Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, an excellent stealth strategy game that I'll probably replay on stream soon! #takuma #shadowtactics
positive · AI labelView post →I can't recommend this. There's only 3 missions and it's literally just some weird side story that happens in the middle of the main game's story. The story adds nothing of value to the game. This must have been cut content that they wanted to make extra money on so they pretended it is a sequel when it's not. I feel bad for anyone who buy's this in error instead of the main game. This should be sold as a cheap DLC to the main game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game remains the same as original Shadow Tactics, you get a few new levels to play with. Well those levels are really long and expansive. But if you expect something new, you would be disappointed, just the same old, same old. But great same old.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great follow on to the original with a couple of new level types. Dialogue is pretty entertaining as well.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →not worth honestly. Enemies get infinite spawn upon finding dead bodies but you can't replenish your heals? stupid mechanic. not to mention every enemy had gods view across the map with a wide range as well. its just tedious to play through and having to save after every single choice or kill is annoying. such a tediously drawn out game. its designed to have you restart over and over and over again. glad it was only 5$ but still a waste of time.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I bought Shadow Tactics as it's only $3.99. I suck at it, but it's a very fun game and I still managed to complete the first mission. Heck yeah! \o/
positive · AI labelView post →Standout PC game deals today (Metacritic 80+): • Super Meat Boy — $1.19 (−92%) on Steam, Metacritic 87 • Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's… — $2.99 (−85%) on GOG, Metacritic 91 • Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun — $2.49 (−94%) on WinGameStore, Metacritic 85 #pcgaming #gaming #freegames
neutral · AI labelView post →Standout PC game deals today (Metacritic 80+): • Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's… — $1.99 (−90%) on WinGameStore, Metacritic 91 • Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun — $2.49 (−94%) on WinGameStore, Metacritic 85 #pcgaming #gaming #freegames
neutral · AI labelView post →PC game deals today (Metacritic 80+): • Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s … – $1.99 (−90%) on WinGameStore, Metacritic 91 • Unity of Command II – $2.99 (−90%) on Steam, Metacritic 88 • Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun – $3.99 (−90%) on WinGameStore, Metacritic… #pcgaming #gaming #freegames
neutral · AI labelView post →One of the best stealth games ever made. Every character brings unique abilities, creating countless tactical possibilities and making experimentation incredibly rewarding. The story remains engaging from beginning to end. Simply put, this is the tactical stealth game by excellence. 100% steam achievements Time : 40.8H Completion Difficulty : 6/10 Playthroughs : 2 - 3 Missables : None Notable requirements : Complete the campaign, earn every badge in every mission ( speedrun, highest…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My newest for Nintendo Insider: Shadow Tactics rules and it has great mouse controls, but the port feels a bit conservative compared to how the game feels on PS5 and Steam Deck. I also bought those Joy-Con 2 mouse control grips because I enjoyed the opening hour a ton and wanted proper grips.
neutral · AI labelView post →Slowly getting back into the swing of things and just reviewed Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun - great game! 🏆 videochums.com/review/shado...
positive · AI labelView post →This game does so much right, but it isn't as tight as Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun was. Still, it's a thoroughly enjoyable game with an active custom mapping scene besides if you're hungering for more. Shame this was the last Mimimi Productions game.
neutral · AI labelView post →Surprisingly emotional ending and unsurprisingly stellar level design once again.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🥷 Shadow Tactics: Aiko’s Choice – A Sharp, Stealthy Encore 🕹️ Playtime: ~6 hours 👍 Recommended Aiko’s Choice is exactly what it should be: a compact, challenging, and beautifully designed send-off to the Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun crew. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it just spins it with deadly precision. ✅ What’s Great: 🎯 Classic Gameplay, Polished Further Stealth tactics are still tense, tight, and incredibly rewarding You’ll need all your wits (and quick-saves) to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Achievements are much more forgiving than the base game. A pity the studio has shut down :/
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Basically a small expansion for the original, but sold as standalone, for a lesser price. Game play is the same, but a new story, and they left it open for a sequel. I finished it in just under 17hrs, and I am slow. I still have achievements I could get, and may at some point, but for now I am done. Certainly worth getting if you enjoyed the first one.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Every time I play this game it gets to a point where it no longer opens. I reinstalled the game several times and updated everything... it never works past a certain point in the beginning of the game. I'm on like the second map and every time I try to play it just quits immediately after starting with no error message. A lot of people mentioned this about this game and there has been no response from the developer/Steam. I feel like I should get a refund for a game that doesn't work. It's…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If only this were the ending.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I would like to thumbs up this. it is along the lines of games i like. BUT... lets get into it. graphics are acceptable for what it is. No complaints there. this is a RTS option for game play... BUT IT IS REAL TIME COMBAT... there is NO PAUSING IT -- on top of that the combat is such a pain in the you know what for the very reasons of trying to sync up your characters to execute a plan. YOU CAN"T DO IT!!! sure they say you can... but every time you want to RTS an action you have to…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Better then Assassin’s Creed Shadows
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Standout PC game deals today (Metacritic 80+): • Owlboy — $1.99 (−90%) on GOG, Metacritic 88 • Sid Meiers Civilization VI — $5.36 (−91%) on GameBillet, Metacritic 88 • Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun — $3.49 (−91%) on WinGameStore, Metacritic 85 #pcgaming #gaming #freegames
neutral · AI labelView post →Shadow Tactics is a hardcore tactical stealth game set in Japan around the Edo period. A new Shogun seizes power over Japan and enforces nationwide peace. Get Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun at 92% off on Fanatical: https://ggd.deals/d/4mHfUHi #ShadowTactics #PCGaming #GameDeals
neutral · AI labelView post →I think the main thing that catches me out about Shadow Tactics' branding in particular is how modern all the key art is, design wise, given the content of the game. Far more left-field than the title
neutral · AI labelView post →I don't think the success of game Shadow Tactics: Blade of the Shogun would change with the name change. I think Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet is a more memorable name than The Heretic Prophet, but I don't think it would matter to change it before release. Nowadays the games success doesn't depend on the name of the game, it matters what game is recommended, the video trailers of games, description, keywords, ratings and reviews. Nothing would change with those suggested name changes,…
neutral · AI labelView post →
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