Much of what players loved about the first game is intact, from Hayato’s ninja tactics to Mugen slicing enemies apart, left and right. Yuki, Takuma and, of course, Aiko also return, and players can still execute multi-kills with their squad using Shadow Mode. Three new main missions and interludes are being introduced, along with a new enemy for Aiko to face.

Ultimately, Aiko’s “choice” could dictate the fate of this foe (who apparently has connections to her past). Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun – Aiko’s Choice will be releasing for PC first, though it could arrive for PS4 and Xbox One later. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

Mimimi Games has a new project in the works but it’s going back to its acclaimed stealth strategy Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun with Aiko’s Choice. The standalone expansion will release in late 2021 and features Aiko in a central role. It sees her battling a new enemy that has connections to her past.

Since Aiko’s Choice is standalone, you won’t have to play the original game (though given the story connections, it is advised). There will be three new main missions and interludes set in Japan during the Edo period. Players will rejoin their favourite characters for “one final adventure set within the story of the main game.” Expect plenty of stealth, subterfuge and sabotage, especially thanks to the Shadow Mode feature for synchronizing the team’s actions.

More details on Aiko’s Choice should be expected in the coming months so stay tuned. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is currently available for Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Mimimi Games has also worked on Desperados 3, another acclaimed stealth strategy title.

In case you didn’t have enough games stuffing that Christmas stocking, Epic Games’ 12 Days of Free Games initiative has provided another free title. This time it’s Mimimi’s Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun, a squad-based stealth title set in feudal Japan. Simply login to your Epic Games Store account, claim the game for free and it’s yours to keep forever.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun takes inspiration from the likes of Commandos, featuring different characters with their own unique abilities. Chaining together different skills with the right timing will help to get by difficult sections. It’s tough but tactical strategy fans may relish the challenge.

Developer Mimimi is also working on Desperados 3 which is out in 2020 so expect even more squad-based strategy goodness in the future. Make sure to claim Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun by 9 AM PST today. After that, it will be replaced by a new title (which seems to be Croteam’s The Talos Principle).