Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven

"Does it live up the hype?YES!"

Finally the long awaited sequel to the legendary Tenchu series is in stores.Let's see if they managed to keep up the good old Ninja feeling.

Story :

Storywise Tenchu:WoH follows the original Tenchu.Azuma Ninja Rikimaru who supposedly died at the end of Tenchu returns, loyally as ever carrying out the will of his lord Ghoda.As the story progresses several nice twists are made and all Tenchu veterans will be instantly pulled back in the deep and intense Tenchu universe.

10/10

Graphics :

One of my biggest complaints in the Tenchu series have always been the rather ''bad'' graphics.Luckily in their NextGen debut Rikimaru & Co. look better than ever. Also the various types of enemies (which reach from ordinary guards to martial arts masters) got very much detail on them.The backgrounds and environmental effects (leafs in the wind,rain etc.) look pretty good and atmospheric.All in all the graphics are above the average but not as groundbreaking as MGS 2 was (textures,Polys etc.)

Pros :
+good detail in both actors and evironment
+nice animations

Cons :
-sometimes a little too dark

8/10

Sound :
What I always loved about the Tenchu series is the score. Luckily the newest part of the series keeps up this good tradition.The intro music is plain mindblowing and most of the score in the actual game is pretty good too and mostly fits and underlines the atmosphere of the mission.Another plus is that (at least in the PAL version) we get to choose wether we would like the (pretty good) english synchro or the original japanese voices + subtitles.I would recommend using the japanese voices as they add much to the whole flair and better ''suit'' the characters.The sound effects like slashing swords or exploding smoke bombs all reminded me of the original Tenchu but were all improved even more.

Pros :
+GREAT music
+good sound effects

Cons :
-sound effects may seem a bit ''old fashioned'' to those new to the game

10/10

Control & Camera :
I was kind of shocked when I played the game at first but after playing for about 3-5 missions (that is around 6 hours) I recognized that it wasn't the controls which were bad but my skill :-).After that phase of getting used to the controls you can direct your ninjas pretty good and let them pull off any kinds of cool maneuvers.The same applies to the camera.At first it always shifted in the wrong directions but when you learn to control it right - no problem.Only indoors it is often still a catastrophe because you sometimes see enemies much too late and run straight into them.

Pros :
+responsive controls
+easy yet complex once you get the grip of it

Cons :
-Camera is often catastrophic indoors

7/10

Gameplay :

Now this is where Tenchu really boosts up.There's nothing like infiltrating a well guarded castle and sit on a roof to learn the guards patrol routes.And when the time is right you drop right down behind a guard silently to unleash a deadly and very cool looking stealth kill.And that's what is so motivating about it.Every time you kill a guard and are not seen by him or others you get rewarded with a ''Kanji'' (japanese character - well chinese character really but nevermind :-). When you got 9 of them you are awarded a new ninja ability of which there are 9 for Rikimaru and Ayame to unlock.These special abilities mostly add to the game and let's you find new ways to sneak up behind your enemies.Before a mission you can choose from a variaty of partly authentic ninja gadgets to help you in your quest.In total there are 30 of these gadgets although some must be unlocked first.So the objective is not to be spotted but what happens if you are? Well mostly the guard that saw you will follow you around 1 corner or until you jump on a roof then stand at the spot where he lost you for a minute wondering where you went and then returns to his patrol as if nothing had happened.The AI is not really bad but in no way as challenging as in MGS 2 (sorry for comparing these two so often).

Pros :
+gives you the ''Ninja Feeling''
+motivating
+cool special abilities
+even cooler stealth kills

Cons :
-weak AI

10/10

Replayability :
Basically there are two instantly playable characters Rikimaru and Ayame.A third one is unlockable. Rikimaru and Ayame both have 13 missions each wich is pretty much if you want to play the game stealthy like it's meant to be played.Addionally each level comes in 3 layouts (different entrance points,enemy positions etc.) which will take a lot of time to complete all.You will also want to get all of the gadgets which will take more time again.And if you should have done everything mentioned above then there is still a solid multiplayer mode (cooperative or versus).There's nothing like stealth killing a guard together with a ninja friend of yours and performing a spectacular double stealth kill :-)

Pros :
+much to unlock
+big variety of levels
+multiplayer mode

Cons :
------

Overall :

In short Tenchu:WoH is everything I expected from a good sequel.Improved graphics.Improved Gameplay.Sadly not improved AI and sometimes camera but as the Tenchu fan I am (and you will be too once you get into if for a while) thats no big deal.If you are looking for an above average Ninja game don't look any further.

10/10

Buy or Rent ?
Tenchu fans buy it instantly without hesitation.All others but it too but be aware that you may need to spend some time with the game before you can be an effective ninja.Remember :
Patience grasshopper.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/14/03, Updated 03/14/03