Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

"A better 'video game' than the original"

Why did I like Tenchu 2 better than the original? Simply because I felt like it adhered to video game standards better. In Tenchu 1 you had to sneak around killing people who were quite capable of seeing you, calling for help, and kicking your butt. Simply put, the PSX controller can not even the odds in a game like Tenchu. You would need a full VR bodysuit to make the game fair. This game evens it up a bit by making the enemy a bit more predictable and a bit more blind to ninjas. If you find the game is easy, try hard mode.

Graphics: 8
This game pushes the limits a bit more than it's predesser. There's missions during the day in this one, and a nice black fog prevents you from seeing very far day or night (and keeps the psx from having a heart attack). However everyone looks cleaner, less blocky, and mouths move when the characters speak.

Sound 8
Although the dubbing is so so and the lines are pretty bad in some cases (''I am a shadow, I have no name'' - idiot ninja trying to be serious), it grows on you because everyone is always talking! You never have just text dialogue between characters. This makes the game much more enjoyable (as many Deus Ex players would agree). The in game sound effects are good, though they could've done more with guards(ex. When a guard dies, it doesn't sound as...juicy as it could).

Gameplay: 9
Except for the turnaround attack which everyone does accidentally at the precise wrong time because it's just back (also known as block) and attack, the controls are more responsive than the first and you can move around better. You can swim in the game too, although the large splash sounds you make combined with sharks in some levels makes water a good thing to avoid. Enemies are dumb as stumps in this game which is a good thing because if one sees you later in the game, you'll find they have as many hit points as you do and taking on two at once will be pretty much impossible. Another good thing is that in boss battles, you no longer have to go from Ninja to Samurai. What I mean is that in the first one, you had to fight face on to the bitter end. In this one you can make the enemy lose track on where you are and score free hits from behind. There's only one boss which doesn't allow this (and he's almost impossible because of this).

Now then, on with what you really want to know. There are limbs which are removable in this game, plus 7 stealth kills per character (a total of 21) each of which is quite graphic and unpleasant. Good way of releasing stress and makes the waiting and sneaking worth it.

Story: 8
I liked the story quite a bit. The story is the same no matter which character you play with, but unlike Tenchu 1, Each character goes separate ways and learns different things about everything (and fights different bosses too), so even though it's the same plot, you see it from 3 completely different angles depending on the character.

Replayability: 8
A mission editor, the 3rd hidden character (complete with his take on the plot), trying to beat levels without being seen once, and other goodies that will make you want to play it again.

Rent or buy: I make it a policy to always rent before you buy unless you're rich and want to go on a shopping spree. Decapitating baddies can only get so amusing, so expect this game to wear down. I didn't use the mission editor much because I was bored with the game after passing it for the 3rd time. Have fun whatever your choice.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/23/00, Updated 10/23/00