Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Developer(s)	Acquire
Publisher(s)	Sony Music[citation needed] Activision
Platform(s)	PlayStation
Release date(s)	JP February 26, 1998 NA August 31, 1998 EU 1998 Shinobi Gaisen JP February 24, 1999
Genre(s)	Stealth Action
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	Varies from T (13+) to M (17+)

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, known in Japan as simply Tenchu (天誅), is a stealth game in which the player takes the role of a ninja, progressing through 10 stages and accomplishing the tasks therein. Playable characters include Rikimaru or Ayame.

All of the levels take place at night to compensate for the technical limitations of the PlayStation; the game's high rate of redraw is reduced by setting events at night and reducing the distance the player can see.

Story

The series takes place in feudal Japan. The story revolves around two ninja: Rikimaru (力丸) and Ayame (彩女). Rikimaru is a tall, silver-haired ninja with a single ninjato named Izayoi and a scar over his right eye. He is stronger than Ayame but relatively slower. Ayame is a kunoichi, or female ninja, wearing standard ninja clothes with her midriff exposed. She carries a pair of kodachi. She is faster and has more combos than Rikimaru, but is the weaker of the two. Both have been members of the Azuma ninja clan since childhood.

The two ninja serve the heroic Lord Gohda, and work for him as his secret spies to root out corruption and gather intelligence in his province. However, the evil demonic sorcerer Lord Mei-Oh seeks to destroy Lord Gohda, and using his demon warrior Onikage who wreaks havoc throughout Lord Gohda's province.

Characters

Rikimaru

Rikimaru is the servant and protector of Lord Gohda. He has obtained the sixth sense allowing special vision. He is a ninja wielding a Ninjatō (忍者刀). He may be slower than his partner, Ayame, but his sword is still stronger than her daggers.

Ayame

Ayame is the loyal friend of Lord Gohda's daughter, Princess Kiku. They act like sisters toward each other but she, like Rikimaru, is a ninja protecting Lord Gohda. Although not as strong as Rikimaru, Ayame is very quick wielding her dual Wakizashi.

Lord Gohda

The leader and loyal royal of this ancient time. He has a daughter, Kiku, as well as two ninjas just as part as his protection. He has a counsel, Sekiya, who is also the trainer of Ayame and Rikimaru.

Princess Kiku

The daughter of Lord Gohda and best friend of Ayame. She is respective to and from Ayame especially at training. At the end of the game, she is kidnapped, but is rescued.

Missions

1 : Punish the Evil Merchant
2 : Deliver the Secret Message
3 : Rescue the Captive Ninja
4 : Cross the Checkpoint
5 : Execute the Corrupt Minister
6 : Infiltrate the Manji Cult
7 : Destroy the Foreign Pirate
8 : Cure the Princess
9 : Reclaim the Castle
10: Free the Princess

Gameplay

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Cast

Japanese version

The Japanese version of the game is somewhat different from the Western version and the remake Shinobi Gaisen. The game came with 8 levels, missing Cross the Checkpoint and Punish the Corrupt Minister, plus each level only has one layout. The option screen, character select and level select all come with different graphics. The boss characters have different weapons and before each level there is a small amount of Japanese dialogue that gives more detail into the game. The fighting moves are also different, whereas on the later version, mashing the button for attacks is all well and good, but in this version each strike must be timed to get the full flurry of moves. The 180 degree reverse roll is also absent.

Tenchu: Shinobi Gaisen

Tenchu was re-released in Japan on February 24, 1999 with many updates, including different mission layouts, all the stages seen in the American and European versions (levels 4 and 5 were missing in the original) and 4 selectable languages: Japanese, English, Italian and French.

The main feature of this version was its mission editor. The possibilities in creating missions were endless and it generated a special edition disc with the 100 best missions created by Japanese players called Tenchu: Shinobi Hyakusen.

Greatest Hits Release

The Greatest Hits release features the new Japanese version intro movie.

See also

• Shinobido: Way of the Ninja - A 2006 PlayStation 2 game also developed by Acquire with similar gameplay and stealth/action principals.
• Shinobido: Tales of the Ninja - The PlayStation Portable companion to the aforementioned title.

External links

• Tenchu: Stealth Assassins at MobyGames