Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven

"Wrath of Heaven delivers."

Tenchu: Wrath Of Heaven is the first game of its series to grace our beautiful sleek black mean machine, the Playstation 2. However, it is not the first of Tenchu games. This is a sequel to the first Tenchu which was released previously for the Playstation. Tenchu 2 was a prequel to Tenchu, Wrath of Heaven is the sequel. Wrath of Heaven has 3 characters; in a similiar fashion to Tenchu 2, one of them has to be unlocked by completing the game with the default available characters. None other than our two loyal ninja subjects (not to mention super cool), Rikimaru and Ayame. Wrath of Heaven is rather favoring the flavor of Tenchu, with added features. Things from Tenchu 2 are rather gone, the swimming, the sheathing of the blade and the body-dragging, they're gone. Ok, let us look at the different points the game has.

Gameplay: 10/10

WoH proves to be superior in terms of gameplay compared to the two. Battles are vastly improved by wide arrays of move, no longer limited to the simple combos. Players can earn fancy moves by completing required stealth kills in a level. The new moves differs from essential to useless but flashy. Very motivating indeed, this way, everyone strives to be the best ninja they can be. You are also discouraged from taking on multiple guards as now, you can only block what is right in front of you. Any attacks from behind would slash nicely into your meat. Guards are still of the same intelligence (sadly speaking), they spot a dead fellow, they go check the thing out and if they are not dead while approaching the body, they just run around chanting intimidations. However, guards are now more lifelike. Expressions, chattings and all aside, you can ransack your victims for items. Spears are welcome, bows and arrows are handy, throwing knives are fun.

Graphics: 9/10

In my opinion, WoH has beautiful graphics. Smoothly done characters models runs abound the game. Facial expressions are nicely implemented as you see the guard wringe in pain as you twist the Izayoi into their kidneys or throats. Bosses are great too, each with their twisted personality. Guards are now able to die in spectacular poses, from kneeling, flat on the ground or face kissing the ground. Blood effects are splashy too. Stealth kills prove to be a real eye candy the moment you see your favourite pain-dispenser gets into the action. From gutting to slitting, WoH displays all your gory needs to the brim of satisfaction. Fans of Japanese artworks will notice that the characters are rather fashioned like the old Japanese cartoons, they bear a bit of resemblance to old jap paintings too.

Sounds: 9/10

You can hear the guards mutter their last words, you can hear your blade ripping through their veins, you can hear those foolish guards chatter amidst their duty. WoH is indeed a sounder. Blades clashing, blood spurting out, conversations. Wrath of Heaven has top-notch sound effects.

Storyline: 8/10

Tenchu series sports one of the best storylines that you can get out of an action game. Tenchu 2 providing the real storyteller in my opinion. However Tenchu Wrath Of Heaven, has left its roots of masterful story-telling. Not that the story sucks but if compared to the previous stories, the story seems pale. Still, for an action game, it has a decent story to boast about. You get to choose between two characters but these two characters provide two different endings, not a parallel one which interlock in between quests. The third character, however, proves to be quite a costumer for crossing paths with our two ninjas. Whoa there, let us not talk too much about the third guy eh? You go play the game and find out about it yourself.

Longevity: ??/10

This seriously depends on your interest towards the game. The bonus game is an excellent added feature but it is too short to maintain interest for the long run. What would get players clinging back to the game though, is the main story mode (good thing) and the multiplayer options. Multiplayer? Yea, multiplayer. Now two players can simultaneously join in the bloody fun as ninjas. Missions ranging from escort, steal, retrieve and stealh killings would keep Tenchu enthusiasts busy. Should you prefer to duke it out, worry not, you can be that ferocious beast towards your fellow player. Go for ''versus''. In ''versus'' players can choose characters, not only limited to the traditional silent killers but bosses as well. Stages vary in terms of combat housing. From multiple levels to a village populated with its own guards who would attack at will or a plain battleground for your one on one pleasure. Unlock characters as you progress through the game, that way you can play as some of the villains you always wanted to be. Each character has a unique move to boot. For me, this game is rather worth all that attention.

So what am I trying to say? In simple, you can be rest assured that you would like Wrath of Heaven if you liked the previous Tenchu games. For those who havent played Tenchu or Tenchu 2 might like to go around begging for people who would lend you their copies. WoH would be more fun if you have already learnt of the dillemas our ninjas went through.

Live by Honor, Kill by Stealth.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/19/03, Updated 03/19/03