21.5.2003

To whoever the word 'Tenchu' is new, here's a little lowdown on this excellent ninja series.Tenchu: Stealth Assassins was the game to introduce the 'ninja stealth simulation' idea to any console. Released way back in 1998, this game soon become a cult classic and obtained a vast number of fans.Later, the second game, Tenchu: Birth of the Stealth Assassins, which was a prequel, arrived on the PSX / PSONE. It passed the first in terms of graphics, but it wasn't as much fun.Now that the power of PS2 is with us, Activision and K2 have united to bring to us the excellent third instalment - Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven.This brilliant game once again places you in feudal Japan, one year after the happenings of the first Tenchu.For the third time you must, either as the mysterious and extremely focused Rikimaru, or his feisty female partner Ayame, uncover an evil plot that is being silently brewed up by a new enemy.The new plot consists mainly of three magical jewels that when utilised together form a great force. Should all three fall into the hands of the enemy, this world will be doomed. Obviously the two cunning ninjas aren't just gonna stand around; you will embark on a number of missions before finally meeting the big bad guy face-to-face.The main idea of Tenchu is its awesome stealth simulation. In this game your ninjas have many different ways of moving in stealth. You can sneak up on an enemy who is unaware of your presence and perform a particular attack known as a stealth kill. This is a usually gory and always painful way of taking out your enemies. There are 6 different stealth kills for each character, and they are all very cool to look at. However you need to master the way of silent killing. If an enemy spots you as an opponent, they will attack and you will have to either hide and wait for the enemy to calm down, or you can fight. Fighting is as enjoyable as stealth killing, but stealth is more rewarding.Now for the statistical stuff.Graphics: 9Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven sports some of the most impressive graphics yet when it comes to character models. The main character models are well-done and extremely detailed, and the enemies are more or less equally impressive. This graphical improvement is especially true in the cutscenes, which are done in gameplay graphics instead of CG. This excludes the excellent CG intro movie. These great graphics help immensely to make the stealth kills as pleasing as possible. The backgrounds are also well-designed, but there are cases when the Tenchu fan will notice that the graphics are very similar to those of the previous instalments, only sharper. The game moves at a fast 60 frames per second, keeping everything at a quick pace, though there are cases when the game slows down when there are too many enemies on screen. You needn't fret, it's very rare that the game slows down, and the one time i've witnessed it was when i grouped some 6 enemies to fight at the same time!Sound: 10The sound has always been superb in the Tenchu series, so it's no surprise that the excellent soundtrack has made a return. One particular track pays homage to a similar track in the first Tenchu. The soundtrack is varied and changes in every stage. The sound effects are also very sharp. There is a large amount of different soundtracks, such as your swords swishing through the air and then hitting flesh, sputtering blood falling on the ground, splashing water, clashes as two blades strike each other, and many more.Controls: 9Tenchu has never been all that great in fighting, but here it's made a large change. You can now lock on to the enemy and successfully dodge, strafe and counter attacks with great ease.The controls are all very simple. One button operates the different attacks and combos, another allows you to block and perform throws on the enemy (the throws are a great new addition), another allows you to perform all manner of jumps and quick movements, etc...Gameplay: 10The gameplay in Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is extremely cool and also most importantly the game is great fun to play. As mentioned before, you have the choice of choosing from two characters (and there is also a third hidden character). Both of them have different attacks and stealth kills. Rikimaru has a long-ranged blade which makes him a bit slow yet also powerful, while Ayame sports two short blades, which while not causing much damage, can be used for lightning-fast attacks. Also both characters have their own style of attacking; while Rikimaru uses traditional sword attacks, Ayame prefers to mix her slashes with acrobatic attacks.The pure bliss of sneaking up on your enemy by any means that are available to you is the real fun behind this game, as mentioned before. You can just pick up and play. Missions are beaten by getting to the exit, which is marked on your map. The game will rank you after completing the mission. You have a vast amount of different items, which you can select before the mission starts, and depending on your rank you will increase more items in your storage. Getting the best rank also awards you with a brand-new item. A lot of the missions have a boss battle within them, which can be at the start, somewhere in the middle or at the very end. Boss battles require you to have good fighting skills, which evidently shows that you must not rely on stealth only; you must practice your fighting skills now and then. Stealth is made easy with the Ki Meter, which allows you to snes how close or far away the enemy is, and what their status is. Stealth also provides you with a great new feature; you have another meter known as the Kuji meter, which fills up with 'Kanji', which is obtained by performing stealth kills. When the Kui meter is filled, your character will gain a new ability. The abilities range from powerful combos to clinging to ceilings!Lifespan :9This game has a variable lifespan, depending on your choice and taste. There are 10 different levels, with two secret ones, over which 28 missions are spread. Rikimaru and Ayame have 10 missions each, meaning that they both explore the 10 standard levels. The secret character has 6 missions. The stages are quite short, but seem longer due to the time taken in sneaking up on the enemy. It is a bit easy to complete, especially for hardcore gamers and Tenchu fans, but as with the first Tenchu there are three layouts for every mission, meaning that you have three different enemy and item positions all in one stage. This excludes the tow secret missions. This means that to fully complete the game, you have to go through (26 X 3) + 2...80 missions!And if you get a bit bored of story mode, there is also a brand new and superb multiplater mode. Versus allows you to play as 20 different characters - the three main characters, two secret characters, and a large number of enemies, most of which are bosses. Then you have to choose a stage and hunt each other down. You can stealth kill or fight the enemies placed in the stage before you take out your buddy. There are also a few item boxes in the map to pick up; the armed opponent is the dangerous one. There is also a co-op mode where you must choose from the three main characters to take on 6 different missions. New characters and stages are unlcoked by beating missions in story mode.Extra StuffItemsOver 30 unique ninja items to use on your enemies, including throwing knives, grenades, smoke bombs, poisoned rice balls, the new sticky bombs (a remote mine / pinwheel hybrid with a sticky underside) as well as number of ninja spells.Loads of New EnemiesA huge list of different and varied enemies. Samurai, ninjas, robots and even the undead are actively blocking your path.Advanced Stealth TechniquesYour ninjas can use all manner of stealthy techniques; pressing against walls to see what's around the corner, sneaking and rolling, crawling through thin spaces, and many more.Great Attention to DetailEach stage has its own detailed features. The Limestone Cavern, for example, is full of shimmering crystals, while the Cemetery is riddled with mist-covered tunnels. The Bamboo Forest has rock-filled rivers and soft snow which crunches underfoot.Smarter Enemy AIEnemies have different patrol patterns, statuses and emotions. Know your enemy and then see when you have the chance to strike. Alerted foes can now climb up to rooftops and diligently search for you from a height.Extreme Boss FightsA large cast of enemy bosses whom you must fight up close and personal. Bosses have their own special attacks and attack tactics and patterns.Hope this review helps. In my opinion, this is a great game to own - a classic. There is no reason why not to give it five stars.

16.3.2003

Tenchu was a groundbreaking game when it first appeared on the PSONE with it's unique blend of action, atmosphere and stealth that required the gamer to actually think about their moves, it was a game that relied on staying hidden and being quick on the kill rather than running around like a rampaging barbarian and hacking everything that moved. So it was obvious when PS2 was announced that eventually Tenchu would make it's way onto a better console, and it was a good choice.You begin as either Rikimaru or Ayame, both will use stealth to kill their opponents but Rikimaru is a bit better at the ground combat and Ayame is better at the agile climbing and leaping around of the game and when it

21.1.2004

Tenchu first hit the shelves back in the 90's and since then it has become one of the most popular stealth games yet and has a suprising amount of potential.I'll start of by saying that this game was an excellent, fun, and shocking game at first with it's stealth kills, character design, level design and overall amazement but it always lacked things that could make it such a well plotted game. The following is a list of subjects that could enhance this game from a grade B to a grade A:More exciting stealth killsBetter Enemy A.Imore realistic Ninja moves such as light treading etc..Body draggingsheathing and unsheathing swords etc..All these types of subjects could make this game worthy of anyones collection and the fact that they are not included makes this game downfall ALOT!!.

9.3.2003

Having followed the series from Tenchu 1 & 2 across the PSOne, I would probably class myself a fan. After the slightly disapointing tenchu 2 (IMO), I am considerably impressed with this latest addition.The graphics are much improved, taking advantages of the technologies of the PS2 platform. I especially like also the re-use of some of the sound effects and enemy speeches taken from the earlier games.My only gripe was the fact that I had to re-learn the control system has it has changed from the earlier games. However, once this re-settling period was over, you find they are better than the original controls in many respects.Although co-op and deathmatch are becoming more common on console titles,

19.3.2003

I played the first two, and I loved them. When I heard this was coming out, I pre-ordered it and waited in anticipation. I was not disapointed. I'm a hard-core gamer, and I know what's good. This is good, great in fact. The rooftops, the unrealistic yet highly fun weapons, the killing and err.....the killing. The storyline lacks...well...a decent story, but that is of no matter. And I would of liked more versitility, as there isn't much use of shadows for concealment, just a lot of corners and elevated spots. And of course, the enemy aren't the smartest of soldiers. Still, great game, a lot of fun to play and go back and master, but don't expect the characters levels to be much different,

1.7.2007

this is one of my favorite games for PS2. there is some storyline to this, but basically its just 'kill everyone in sight' (including those pesky dogs!) the controls for this game are easy to get to grips with and reasonbly versitile. perhaps the best bit of this game are the stelth kills, if you can get close to an enemy without being seen a short (3-5 second) video occors where you insantly kill them in a variety of different ways: ITS KOOL! you can play as 2 different ninja each with a differnt storyline and slightly different levels. there is a two player section to the game which is great fun, though the multiplayer levels are quite short (with a 10 minute time limit).

17.3.2003

My initial impressions are that this is a game worth waiting for. It captures all the atmosphere of the first Stealth Assassins game, while overcoming its shortcomings in areas such as bad pop-up, blocky graphics and awkward controls. So, what you get is a graphically nice game (if not stunning) with smooth, intuitive controls and exellent atmosphere and game play. It's too early to judge the game's longevity and replayability, but so far so good. Overall I am delighted I bought this game and it has lived up to my hopes and expectations. Bear in mind that this is a genuine stealth game, and not to be confused with a fighting game or first person shooter. The art is just as much avoiding combat as engaging in it!

11.3.2003

What can i say.. If you like sneaking up on your enemies then cutting there heads off this is the game for you.. Beautifully crisp graphics and some great slow mo effects when you pull off a stealth kill, will keep you wanting to do it again and again.. And thanks to the fact that each map has 3 different enemy positions the long play ability is extended. The only disappointment is that you only have one co-op mission at the start the rest have to be unlocked. Co-op is great fun, and watch the mayhem which happens when you both do a stealth kill on the same man..This game will leave you with a big smile on your face from the moment you drive you sword through the head of some unsuspecting

30.4.2003

I was never one for "kill everyone in range" games, so The first Tenchu game was a welcome change from "hack-slash'n'mutilate".The second game was dissapointing, I'd give it only two stars. But the third game has kept me on my playstation for hours on end. The slick, smooth graphics, the original gameplay, hollywood-style plot and utter addictivness make this game a must have for anyone with a passion for gaming. The many optional stealth kills that you can perform throughout the game a graphic and not for the faint-hearted, but oddly satisfying and you get a real sense of achievement from it - you almost wish the game went on forever!

10.3.2003

Just picked up this game the other day and have to say it is an excellent buy.The graphics are excellent and the special death scences are always a laff. One of the best features is the 2 player mode which can be either co-op or Vs.The only problem I find with this game is that occassionally the cameras go a bit askew and this doesn't help when your trying to sneak up on some evil doer or in the middle of face to face combat.If you like an action / adventure game you have to think about a little about rather than just blasting your way through levels then buy this. Patient's is a must!Well worth the pennies I spent on it!

9.3.2003

I've always followed the Tenchu series and when I was in town with a mate I suddenly caught eye of Tenchu 3. I was pretty shocked that I had heard nothing about it coming out and yet it was sitting there crying out to me to slash up some bad guys for old times sake. So I got it and it's great! Single player and especially co-op multiplayer. There are more weapons and the fact you can use your enemys weapons is classic. It's Brilliant game and I recommend it to fans of the stealthy games.I'd like it to be online so you could work with other ninjas in Co-op against other ninjas,that would kick ass!

17.1.2008

I was really looking forwardd to this game and I was not dissapointed,having bought all the tenchu games I think this is the best by far. If you like stealth games then I highly reccomend this game! its got A really good story and the game play is great. There is some really cool weopons like the ninja bombs and poison darts to desroy your enemies with! all in all a great game!

28.1.2015

Great game unfortunatley I didn't realise it won't play on my playstation 3 which is my own stupid fault well anyway the game is Brilliant lots of cool ninja features and some rather hilarious circumstances too which are annoying but hilarious such as guards going " I see you" then running off the edge of a cliff and dying.

11.9.2016

at first it didn't work well i thought so the Activision logo bit was glitchy and broken but if you skipped it everything else was fine so yeah all and all prettyyyyy good i loved the game itself too

4.3.2013

they dont make games like this any more , rikimaru the most ruthless ninja none to date, classic games for the ps1 and when i saw they had made this for ps2 it was a must buy !!!!

Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven (PS2) - Reviews

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