Hana Gakuen – Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun – Aiko’s Choice
Mimimi Productions’ Shadow Tactics is already one of the best real-time tactical stealth titles available but Aiko’s Choice adds even more great missions on top. Hana Gakuen is a good example as the group must first gain access via a statue puzzle, reach the front gate (with some hidden traps coming in handy), use the various secret paths on the estate to sneak about, and assassinate Lady Chiyo. This can be done in one of two ways – either with explosive incense at the shrine or poison gas on the theater stage. The former requires explosive powder from the storage area while the latter needs an alchemy table to mix the poison gas (which only Takuma can do). On top of all this, Aiko must disguise herself in both scenarios to get close. Both approaches, combined with the mission’s layout, are extremely tense but tons of fun to execute.
