Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven

"They took the right steps back and the perfect steps forward."

Well, as promised I'm back. Back with a review for all you gamers out there who give a gosh-darn! It's me...It's me...It's that D-I-double G! Da' Slimm-Dogg! We're takin' a look at Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven. Which is exactly what this game is to Tenchu fans...HEAVEN!

Before I end up sounding too much like a fanboy, let me just say this. Tencu 1 was the first game of it's kind that I had ever played. Being released around the same time Metal Gear Solid came, the game was almost overshadowed by the monster title. But on a whim I picked up the case...looked at the dated (even for it's time) graphics and said...''It's a ninja game, can't be all bad!'' For not passing up a game on graphics alone I ended up with some of the most fun ninja action I've ever had.

Fast forward to Tenchu 2. I grabed it as fast as I could based on the promises of an even more expansive and realistic game. What I got was utter dissappointment and frustration.

I purchased this game with much thought. Is it worth my $50? But alas just like with the first game I said ''Shinobi was cool...this is a ninja game can't be that bad!''

What WoH did was take a few steps back (which I will explain) and couple perfect steps forward (which i will also explain). So let's get down to it!

Story: Rikimaru's return is VERY vaguely explained. His explanation is almost politicain-like. But it get;s the job done and first level seems to be more for nostalgia from the first game than anything else. From the story the story moves on into darker depths. To give any of it away would not be fair. Let's just say it gives us some awesome reasons to keep on going.
+very interesting
-Rikimaru's explanation has total air of horse pucky about it!
9/10

Gameplay: This time around the makers of this game saw fit to do away with certain ''leaps'' in the engine such as body dragging and hiding under water. They were poorly executed in the second game anyway. The game does step back a few paces by having the music return as well as the mostly-in-the-dark missions. The steps forward include the addition of a kanji earning system. For each stealth kill made you earn a kanji symbol. Get 9 of them and you unlock a new move for your stealthy assassin to execute. This gives you a reason to use and eventually master the art of killing quietly. Also, as you will begin to tell midway through the first level, these level designs are HUGE! At least compared to first game. Some even becoming larger than the latter levels of the second game. But fear not, ninja respawns can be found and equipped to allow you to come back to life around the spot you died. The only I have a small issue with is the some of the control decisions. The analog only control just doesn't seem to fit the kind of calculating maneuvers you have to execute. Although at times the analog is a welcome addition. It just depends on the circumstance. I also have some issues with the crouching controls, it just feels a little a jarring due to the fact that in order to turn while crouching you have to use the right analog stick. You get used to it, but I think they could have come up with a better way.
+loads of Tenchu fun for all
-nitpicky control issues
9/10

Graphics & Sound: If anything could drop the score of this game, it would have to be in it's graphics. Once again top-notch graphics get sacrificed for top-notch gameplay. Not a bad thing, but for some graphics buffs out there it's not a good thing either. The graphics are far from the worst, by they just hit that awesomeness that some other games on the PS2 already have. The look is the ever popular realsitic-cartoonism (I know that's not a word). The look shared by games such as Mortal Kombat and the coming soon (I hope) Def Jam Vendetta. It works well for this game.
+not bad
-not great
The sound is just plain beautiful. The music (thanks so much for bringing it back) sets the mood perfectly for the level you are about to go through. Could they ever decide to use a different sound for the sword swing though?
+one word MUSIC
-some of the same sound effects since the games from the 90's
8/10

Replayability: Get this each level has 3 different variations! Also, there is a VS and Co-op mode! That's just too cool. Let's do the math...3 characters to choose from (the lst is unlocked)...3 variations of the maps...2 multi-plaer modes. REPLAY CITY BABY!
+awesome additions
-where's the ulta cool Slimmdiggins hidden character?
10/10

Buy/Rent: Tenchu fans...BUY! BUY! BUY! Non-Tenchy fans...RENT! THEN! YOU'LL WANT TO BUY!

All-in-all, this game is more than I was expecting. The series has deffinitely redeemed itself.

Thanks for your time. B Tru 2 U

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/06/03, Updated 03/06/03