LogFAQs > #920298656

#36: Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

I've always had a soft spot for 'team puzzle' games, where each character has their own special powers and you have to navigate through levels as a team. Lost Vikings, Hexplore, and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris are some examples. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is now one of them.

This game has the story of a quality RPG, but the stealth and puzzle gameplay of an actually good game. Maybe it's because my expectations were set low, but the last third of the game was quite a surprise.

One thing that sets this apart is the ability to queue a series of actions for each character, then hit a button to have them all executed simultaneously. Speaking of characters, each has completely unique abilities, and none are useless. They somehow all feel equally overpowered.

Each level is clearly hand-crafted, with context-sensitive- but not required- actions available on each level. You can methodically make your way through, eliminating each guard, or once you feel more confident, plot out a route to move as quickly and silently as possible.

The game is forgiving in that you can quick-save and quick-load whenever you want, so even when things got rough I always felt on top of the situation. There are a few funny ways to abuse the AI, but sometimes that feels less like a bug and more like a feature.

If you like stealth games, play this game. If you like isometric RPGs, play this game. If you like the tropes of feudal japan, play this game. If you like character interactions, play this game. It's just an all around solid experience that feels greater than the sum of its parts.

I'm disappointed they're not working on a sequel, but from what I can tell their next game is a mechanical successor that takes place in the wild west, right down to the enemy vision cones. So keep an eye on that one, I guess.
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You did indeed stab me in the back. However, you are only level one, whilst I am level 50. That means I should remain uninjured.