Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (PlayStation)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Joe Fielder
• Reviewed on: 03/25/1998
• Updated on: 05/02/2000
• Released on: 08/31/1998
• Originally published on GameSpot: Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (PlayStation) Review

Acquire's Tenchu can easily be seen as a confluence of Eidos' Tomb Raider and Square's Bushido Blade. There is, thankfully, more originality at work here than just a direct meld of the two titles, and it delivers a better attempt at an action-packed 3D adventure than we've seen to date.

The name of the game is assassination. You play as one of two ninja: the scar-faced, gray clad Rikimaru or the thin La Femme Nikita type, Ayame. As in Kalisto Entertainment's fairly similar title, Nightmare Creatures, each character has his or her own unique plusses and minuses. Ayame is lightning fast and carries two short blades, while Rikimaru isn't as quick, but is very strong and wields a katana.

The goal in Tenchu is easy to comprehend, but difficult to attain. You must sneak through the various environments without being seen, assassinating your targets as they appear. The plot surrounding all of this (you're an honorable ninja, entrusted with the objectives of protecting your master, wiping out his evil enemies, and attempting to rescue his kidnapped daughter from a demon lord and his followers) keeps the game from being completely merciless, but there is, admittedly, a whole lot of killing involved. Invariably, some guard going about his rounds is going to find himself in your way, and you'll have to try to sneak up behind him and execute him. If done correctly, one of several short death animations will play, showing your character reaching around and cutting your enemy's throat, breaking his back, and so on. Without trying to come off too sadistic, this never, ever gets old.

It's the stealth of Tenchu that makes it so original and appealing. Using the R1 button, the player can hide or flatten out against every wall he or she encounters. Approaching a corner in the latter fashion will cause the game camera to swing around to see if anyone's waiting for you there, preferably with his or her back to you. But that's not the only way to set about town. Both characters are well equipped with a grappling hook and a never-ending supply of rope. When the hook is selected, the perspective goes first person and a thin, red target appears in the center of the screen. Once fired, the hook shoots forward and the player is yanked quickly along after it. What's the advantage? Running along the far less populated rooftops is a much faster, if less confrontational way of moving about. And it's extremely cool.

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