Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven

"Two shadows born onto darkness"

If you mention the word ''stealth'' to any veteran video game player, the most likely answer you would get is ''Metal Gear Solid''. However, even before there was such thing as ''Metal Gear Solid'', one game was out that truly invented stealth gameplay, that game was ''Tenchu''.

Tenchu first appeared in 1998 (before) MGS and was one the first stealth based game for the PSX.. and boy, was it incredible. The series continues on to it's 3rd title, called ''Tenchu: Wrath Of Heaven'' and Tenchu San (Tenchu 3) in Japan. In terms of storyline, Tenchu: WOH is an actual sequel to the first Tenchu, unlike the prequel story in Tenchu 2: Birth Of Assassins.

You control Rikimaru, along with Ayame and a 3rd unlockable character through very realistic feudal Japan mainly using stealth and a explosive amount of ninja tools. Sounds simple? I'm afraid not, because you can only perceive the challenge and complexity of the game once you it in your hands.. so let's get down with everything -

Graphics - 9.0 out of 10
There has always been a downfall of recent Tenchu titles due to it's very watery graphics.. However, now with the new strength of Playstation 2, Tenchu looks better than ever before. The main highlights are definitely improved character models, Rikimaru looks more lifelike than ever before and Ayame looks like a true goddess.

The setting is exceptionally realistic with the addition of vivid weather effects such as streaming rain and snow, and the sight of your surroundings have greatly expanded. Where in the previous Tenchu titles, you were restricted to a certian amount of eyesight, Tenchu: WOH completely eliminates the black fog so now you can distinguish a guard from up to a screen's length away. There's even an unlockable ability in the game which allows you to zoom in at distinct enemies. Fantastic!

Sound - 9.5 out of 10
Tenchu has always been praised for it's wonderful music with contrastive moods that always fits the stage you're playing in. Unfortunately, this was completely eliminated in the sequel and replaced with ambient sound effects; however, that same excellent music is thankfully back again in Tenchu: WOH.

The sound department offers just as much as the music's, with lots of assortments of great sounding sword clashes, and explosions. Basically all the sounds in WOH will remind you of the original game but dramatically improved.

Gameplay - 10 out of 10
Tenchu and all of it's recent titles are clearly stealth based games, but also with some limited action involved. Basically a ninja has always been informed to move in the shadows and strike without attention, AND since you're controlling these ninja masters, your dominant challenge will involve moving from Point A to Point B applying stealth as efficiently and as often as possible. Although being stealthy and inflicting stealth kills aren't mandatory in the game (meaning you could just run and hack up everyone if you wanted to) note that this is not a combat game. The game's battle system is clearly set as only a last resort and for boss battles where you are only battling one individual foe (or two in several stages), not for dealing with 5 ronins with 5 foot sticks and 2 archers in the distance (unless you wanna be gang raped and get a Game Over screen faster than you can say "Sh*t!"). Tenchu really requires you to use your time well and pull through easily by executing your enemies silently.

The best part about Tenchu: WOH is that whenever you trigger a stealth kill (an unseen attack) you'll be awarded with a grand animation sequence of the disastrous death of the victim (mainly the throat slit, but 5 different others for each character).

Along with stealth you additionally get a collection of sophisticated ninja tools, and the item count is incredible. Everything you ever desired as a ninja is included, such as Shurikens, Bombs, Caltroups, Grenades and even the extraordinary like Chamelon and Invisibility Spells. Overall, the items you can obtain are almost endless, and will take you a long time to master it's effectiveness.

Controls - 9.0 out of 10
The controls have really much shifted in WOH comparing it to older Tenchu releases. And it's clearly a major improvement in all aspects. First being, you no longer control the main character with the D-Pad, but rather now the left analog stick.. and since most of the PS2 titles today use the Analog system, it's not uncommon to see a Tenchu on PS2 to use it as well. With this in mind, the changes to the character maneuvers has been dramatically revamped, and now much easier. So you no longer have to turn a certain direction in order to proceed forth (that direction) and the camera shiftment has been moved to the right analog stick.

There has also been some slight addition and modifications of commands, strafing is now done holding R2 + X in the intended direction and blocking is now just circle.

The newly added command is the Lock-On target executed by the R2 button, so no longer will you have to worry about a frustrating boss that keeps hitting you from another angle you can't see, using the Lock-On feature you automatically face the foe. Every other command pretty much stayed intact - the Look button is L1, stealth is R1, Jump is X and Triangle will enable the use of selected items. If you have no idea what I just described because you don't own or played the recent Tenchu titles, all I have to say is - Forget about it and all there is to know is that the controls are fantastic!

Story - 8.0 out of 10
I'm always very picky about a game's story, it has to be good and enticing otherwise I'd not bother wasting my time (unless it's a sports or racing title). Tenchu: WOH is easily a very fine game to get into, and the story is nowhere as clichéd as most other ninja games and it'll definitely hook you on for surprise. (Especially if you have played any of the other Tenchu titles).
Like I mentioned in the beginning, Tenchu: WOH is a sequel to Tenchu for PSX and you will still be playing as male Azuma-Ninja Rikimaru and female kunoichi Ayame.
There is also a third playable character in story mode and he has his own unique story as well. I'm not going to reveal much here since I don't want to spoil anything for the reader so I'll just conclude myself in this section by letting you know the story is quite impressive.

My only complaint is the lack of FMVs / cut-scenes, where in Birth Of Assassins the amount is heavenly - in Wrath Of Heaven there is very few and the voice acting and emotional factor is not as good as the second Tenchu.

Re-playability - 10 out of 10
A game with this much re-playability is very hard to come by, so I guarantee you this title will last you a distinctive long time. There are 3 layouts per mission for every character and grandmastering them all requires very precise skill and maybe even weeks of preparation.. hope you're up for it though smile.gif. The multiplayer mode is also killer fun!!

OVERALL - 9 out of 10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/13/03, Updated 08/28/06