Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

"Arcade strategy title set in ancient Japan where stealth is the key to survival. Live by honour. Kill by stealth."

Tenchu is the game that Eidos Interactive' Ninja should have been. While the graphics could have been enhanced a little more - playability is where Tenchu really shines.

Tenchu places you into the shoes of either 25 year old male ninja, Rikimaru (rigorously trained as a ninja since birth) or 21 year old female ninja, Ayami (an orphan who has trained to be a ninja since childhood).

Both these young ninja are servants to Lord Gohda, a wise ruler who dedicates himself to providing peace and security for his people. Naturally there are always those bent on opposing such people with good intentions. Thankfully for us.

Tenchu is best described as a mission based action/strategy title with the main emphasis being on stealth - or the art of not being seen by the enemy. This means that there is none of that run into hordes of enemy with your sword swinging wildly - at least not if you want to complete your mission with a decent rating.

The missions themselves (10 in all) vary from executing an evil merchant, delivering an urgent message, rescuing a captive ninja to assaulting an ancient castle. They start of easily enough but soon become quite a challenge. While trying to complete each mission you will face a variety of enemies from wolves, wild dogs, samurai, archers and evil demons - not to mention the end of level bosses.

A wide variety of ninja like weaponry is available to you throughout the game including throwing knives, grenades, poison rice, smoke bombs and the vital grappling hook for scaling walls. The way to win at Tenchu is to try to avoid direct confrontation with the enemy. You should always try to either avoid them altogether or stealthily creeping up on them and executing them. You earn more points by avoiding being detected and higher ratings offer improved spells and weaponry for later levels.

An interesting feature in Tenchu is the "stealth meter" which guages how near to being discovered by the enemy you are. Often this can help you try to find a safer route to complete a mission too.

The ninja can run, walk, crawl, roll, leap and even press against walls and shimmy in true Lara Croft style. Tenchu is challenging and different. If you prefer to do a bit of thinking (as well as killing) Tenchu could be your cup of tea. The music and effects are of a high standard and the blood flows freely.

Hopefully we'll see a sequel soon!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99