Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

 PC
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. TheSixthAxis
    Nov 21, 2016
    70
    There aren’t many games like Shadow Tactics, and thankfully, it sets the bar high for any would-be challengers. The blend of RTS controls with stealth-oriented gameplay and level design create incredibly satisfying, almost puzzle-like encounters. It takes a lot of time and patience to be able to discover the solutions to these puzzles, however, and the hours long missions often left me feeling fatigued before I was even halfway through with them. Shadow Tactics is a unique exploration of the stealth genre with a great amount of polish, but if you’re going to dive in, be prepared for just how deep the water is.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

?
  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Dec 2, 2016
    Atmospheric and impossible to rush, Shadow Tactics is a fabulous game – a game I think I prefer to both Commandos 2 and Desperados. I can see myself replaying it regularly.

Awards & Rankings

29
#29 Best PC Game of 2016
58
#58 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
30
#30 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 404 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 342 out of 404
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 404
  3. Negative: 25 out of 404
  1. Bertiee
    Dec 7, 2016
    10
    Fantastic game. There's been a huge lack of stealth RTS games in recent years, and this has rejuvinated the genre. It obviously has parralelsFantastic game. There's been a huge lack of stealth RTS games in recent years, and this has rejuvinated the genre. It obviously has parralels to the Commandos series of games and they've been a heavy influence, but it's also more accessible and open than they were. Contrary to a couple of bad reviews there is always more than one path available, and in fact there are challenges set for each mission which will encourage you to try different methods to collect all the badges. Stealth obviously plays a key part, but if you do get spotted you're able to run away and hide, so it's quite accessible for those who are new to the genre.… Full Review »
  2. Th3UniQu3
    Dec 6, 2016
    0
    Stealth done wrong.

    Do not be mistaken. This isn't a stealth game like Commandos, this is a puzzle game. There is only one solution to    Stealth done wrong.

    Do not be mistaken. This isn't a stealth game like Commandos, this is a puzzle game. There is only one solution to every problem, and it's up to you to read the minds of the developers to figure out how to get past every ridiculously populated corridor/room. If you can't figure out what they want from you, you will not progress. There is no freedom in your decisions. There is no doing things your way. It's: Here's an area filled with guards: Good luck trying to unravel it.

    Not for me. I got frustrated on the third map, because there's this giant corridor FILLED with guards and no apparant ways to get one of my characters through it. After 5 different attempts I gave up and refunded. Also, the map is bugged. Guards kept seeing my "footprints" in the bushes after exiting the wagon, thus putting my into an unwinnable situation.

    Never again.    … Full Review »
  3. MoppleTheWhale
    Dec 7, 2016
    10
    Shadow Tactics is bringing back the "commandos" formula, recreating what made stealth real-time tactics great but also moderenizing the genreShadow Tactics is bringing back the "commandos" formula, recreating what made stealth real-time tactics great but also moderenizing the genre with appropriate innovations. Playing this game requires careful observation and planning on the one hand and skillfully timed execution on the other hand. If you like that you will probably love Shadow Tactics. Try the demo if you are interested.

    Level design is crucial for this kind of game and here everything is just right. Challenging but never unfair. You always know what you did wrong if a situation is getting out of hand. Level design is diverse with a lot of nice new ideas in each mission. And there are many solutions and ways for each objective, especially in the later missions.

    The characters are interesting. You quickly care for them and their skills are well balanced.

    The badge system is quite unique in it's depth and offers more than one might think after first noticing it. It is adding lots of replay value after the first play through.

    Mouse/keyboard AND gamepad controls need a bit getting used to but are very well designed and give you the choice to handle your group of ninjas in two very different ways.

    There are 3 difficulty levels that influence health points and the time that you can stay inside an enemy's field of view until being detected    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »