Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun (2016)

I bought this game years ago. Around 2021 I think. The moment I found it I knew that that it looked something that I will most probably like. The theme was right up my alley and top down stealth gameplay seemed well made. However for some reason I never brought myself to try it. Until few months ago.

I woke up with a terrible hangover and I wasn't planning to do anything productive that day. So I fired up my TV and picked up my controller. I wanted to try something new and I saw Shadow Tactics collecting digital dust in my library. I fired it up and got immediately hooked.

The game has quite advanced controls but It introduces them with a great pace with minimal learning curve. I played with the controller, however I imagine that using keyboard and mouse might be even more straightforward.

There are 13 levels that are big and beautifully crafted. Each took me 1-3 hours to beat. The final level took me a whooping 5 hours as it was a bit more challenging. Each level is generally an environment with different arrangement of enemies, places to hide and different team members. The cooperation between characters you control is crucial as each member on your team has its strengths and weaknesses. Takuma is gameplay wise probably the most interesting character that you control. He is an old man that unlike other characters, can not jump, climb on vines or use hooks to pull himself on the roofs. He can't even backstab enemies. He of course has other talents, but given his disabilities he also becomes a part of the puzzle how to get all your characters from point A to point B. As everyone but him can jump, climb and easily kill enemies you also need to use them to clear the path for Takuma.

An awesome feature of this game is also an ability give each character an instruction that is executed upon your command. For example, if you want to take down two enemies simultaneously, you can instruct two characters to do so. This mechanic opens up so many more possibilities like luring enemies or distracting them as other character can make a stealth kill.

And this is why this game is such a delightful time sink as you have so many options how will you tackle the problem. Will you kill the guard or try to distract him? Should you raise an alarm or is there another more sneaky way to proceed? The game also encourages replayability as it gives you various challenges on how should you complete a level. For example not using a specific skill, not being detected or complete a mission without the casualties.

This brilliant gameplay is packed in a beautiful art style. While the art style is not very unique, it is very well executed. Each level is memorable with different weather, color pallette and distinct level features. The music is also great and helps you immersing into edo period Japan.

Hands down this is one of the best games I played in recent years. Many tend to agree as game received overwhelmingly positive reviews. I can not recommend it enough.

Gameplay 5/5 The main reason to play this game: it is challenging but never too complex - when you look closely on map area which you don't immediately see how to pass, you eventually always find weak points in enemy defenses and step by step start to solve the 'puzzle'. The game encourages frequent saves and even reminds you each 1-2 minutes to make a new one, which creates a very fast game loop encouraging to experiment and try new tactics. Every levels adds smth new into the gameplay formula and introduces new challenges, which, again, encourages you to invent new tactics till the very last level.

Story 3/5 Not the greatest story among other games, but good enough to justify main characters actions. The main strength comes from their constant interaction between each other during each level, which creates a connection between them and player and eventually you start caring about them, which is more than many games can claim.

Disclaimer: Opinion based on incomplete game play experience.

I'm currently playing Shadow Tactics and unless things take a very drastic South turn I'll be concluding that the game is ás good and better than the Commandos games. I grew up playing all four of the classic Commandos games and have been aching for a game to take the concept and formula and bring them into the 21st century, and that's what Shadow Tactics is.

The game is more whimsical and fun and really runs with the fuedal Japanese setting and takes advantage of the technology of the era. The game makes a lot of changes and additions to the formula, but it all serves to make the game better. There is some streamlining and no longer being able to tie stunned enemies up feels kind of sad--especially when I feel forced to take out civilians--but the overall experience has been improved. There are even a few changes to make challenges less frustrating like a wind-up before enemies trigger alarms and a firearm (after a few missions) with limited ammunition to get you out of a jam.

This is a spiritual sequel in all the best ways and Mimimi Productions should be extremely proud of their achievement. I hope the game did well enough for them to make a Shadow Tactics II or even branch out into even more settings!

If you enjoyed fighting nazis in Commandos I-IV you'll enjoy fighing samurai in Shadow Tactics. It's exactly what it sets out to be, and on those terms I think it executed its goals perfectly. 10/10 for succeeding by its own standards, and a 10/10 as my personal score. Go buy it!