Tenchu: Return From Darkness

"If you love Tenchu and missed out on Wrath Of Heaven then this is the ultimate Game!"

The Tenchu series along with Metal Gear Solid is really what started the Stealth genre as it is today. Games like Splinter Cell, and especially Manhunt, owe their existence, and roots in large part due to the Tenchu series. Finally Tenchu is available for another system other than a Playstation, and the results are pretty amazing.

Controls/ They did an excellent job of mapping out the controls for the Xbox controller. For those of you making the ump from the PS1 Tenchu games it isn't that much of an adjustment at all. Do note though that it seems they were mapped with the Xbox S Controller in mind, and those using the Duke controller may experience problems. So in short, for those who remember the clunky controls the PS1 games this game makes huge strides in fixing these problems.

10/10

Gameplay/ Tenchu is at it's heart a stealth oriented game, but one that is much more forgiving than Splinter Cell is. If you are looking for an uber-realistic game than this probably isn't for you. However, out of all the games that have Ninjas as the starring character this one is the most true to what it may have been like to have been a Ninja in 16th Century Japan. The game also features a large number of boss battles which could be considered tough to most. The Tenchu series is considered by most to be for more serious gamers who can stand a good challenge, but Activision seems to have changed all that with Return From Darkness. On Easy you can continue from the point you died and seemingly this makes this game beatable by anyone. The tougher difficulties will satisfy Tenchu veterans. This excellent move makes Tenchu accessible to both Casual, and more serious gamers. With three different Ninjas and three different stories this game tells the event through each individuals characters eyes.

10/10

Story/ As with past Tenchu games Return From Darkness mixes the reality of medieval Japan with the superstitions people living there at the time may have had. It takes elements from both Japanese history, and what can only be called the Japanese occult. Those new to the series may have difficulty identifying with some of the characters present in this game, and what exactly they have to do with the overall plot but the game does shed some light on previous games for those new to the series. The story for Veterans will be very enjoyable as it contains a few unexpected twists that veterans are sure to enjoy.

10/10

Graphics/ The Graphics when compared to the PS2's Wrath Of Heaven are slightly improved with a few things that will impress you. However, the things that look much better leaves you wondering why the entire graphics engine wasn't given a complete overhaul for the Xbox release. However, they aren't bad by any standards and are stellar when compared to the PS1 Tenchu games.

8/10

Replay Value/ This game features a ratings system that gives you a rating depending on how stealthily completed the mission. The worst is a Thug rating, but going for the ultimate rating of Grand Master can become quite addicting and will have most replaying levels over and over trying to perfect their score.

9/10

Overall Score/ This game comes together to create a an experience with decent graphics, a top-notch storyline, and a Ninja oriented game for veterans of the series and for those who are just craving Ninja action but just don't think they are up to Ninja Gaiden's pretty intense Difficulty. Whether a longtime Tenchu fan, a stealth game fan, or someone caught up in the recent Ninja windstorm I recommend you check out this game. From the satisfaction of the perfect stealth kill, and the feeling of triumph having defeated a major boss this game does not disappoint one bit.

9/10 Overall (not an average)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/11/04, Updated 10/11/05