Tenchu: Return From Darkness

"A game that is ruinned by its shortcommings and outdated mechanics"

Was once a favorite stealth action game of mine. “Tenchu: Stealth Assassins” (the original game from 1998) became easily the most underrated game of the year. Being released during Metal Gear Solid mania, Tenchu was the alternative stealth action game that did not rely on fancy Hollywood choreography and over the top voice acting that was Metal Gear Solid. It has more freedom, replay value, and very unique gameplay. I played that game religiously for 2 years straight. The sequel then released in 2000 “Tenchu: Birth of the assassins” left a somewhat bad taste in my mouth. I loved how big the levels are, how you can create your own level, and how the story was different for each player. But the poor framerate, dumber enemy intelligence, long load times, sluggish controls, and inconsistent graphics hindered me from having a total blast. Lets zoom all the way to 2004 with the first Xbox Tenchu title “Tenchu: Return from Darkness”. Some of the features are of today's standard, but a lot, are still in the late 1990's.

An expanded game from 2002's “Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven” for the Play Station 2, T:RFD is an exact conversion but with added extras. Xbox live support seems to come in mind. You can play multi-player stealth games and fighting modes with Xbox live. There are 2 new levels not found in story modes. Plus more new ninja techniques, and the ability to drag and hide dead bodies. More explanation with these features ahead.

GAMEPLAY
You control over either male ninja Rikkimaru or female ninja Ayame (there is a 3rd character). As a ninja, using stealth and cunning skills is key to stay undetected and to successfully kill silently. There are cool ninja gadgets to aid you on your missions, like ninja stars, enemy costumes for you to wear, bombs, more weapons, even wacky items like a whistle that mimics animal sounds, fireworks, and a bone to summon your ninja dog Semimaru . The control is pretty good, its rather easy to move your ninja around the playing field. However there are camera issues especially when your are in a corner and you don't know if there is danger ahead. The levels, just like T:WHO, suffer from linear paths. Unlike in the original game, you can go anywhere and kill the guards in any order you like. Granted there are levels here with free roaming areas and multiple paths, their not as big and as exciting like in the original game. The fact that you can drag dead bodies just like in Tenchu 2 is a nice addition that was lost in T:WHO. Back in this game, there is a BAD limitation to this feature. You can only drag dead bodies ONLY ON EVEN SURFACES, if there is a slope or water nearby, you can't move it anywhere else. That's what I call lazy programming. The guards in the game are of PS1 quality. They are not smart at all. You could be running around 2 feet behind them and they would not spot you unless you touch them or they turn around and see you. Also you could be standing 30 feet right ahead of you and they would barely see you. Mechanics that would be forgiving on the PS1, but not with the more sophisticated machines of today. There are multiplayer modes. They are not much fun though as split screen games suffer from a very limited view making looking around at your environments clunky and confusing. Plus Xbox live modes are not much fun as well due to the small multiplayer levels.

GRAPHICS
This game looks downright outdated on the Xbox. The character models and enemy guards look decent. There are clipping issues here and there and the environments are plain. There is no need to stay in the shadows as enemies can't spot you from 30 feet away standing next to a lighted torch. While games like Splinter Cell use realistic visual techniques for their games, Acquire (the game's developer) has simply gone back to techniques from much older games. What a shame.

SOUND
Moody tracks set the mood for the levels. The music is real well done. I love the remix of Echigoya's level. The voice-overs can be chosen in English, Japanese and a unique B-side where the dialogue is altered and the story is changed based on that mode. The words have been changed to a more crude humor style.

REPLAY
The game actually has well over 70 missions. Each stage has 3 unique enemy layouts and they do keep you playing. Too bad there is no level editor mode though as the replay value is endless.

In the end Acquire developed a game that would have been fun before the days of Splinter Cell. Today, T:RFD is an outdated game that you'll most likely forget about playing. Tenchu easily can't survive like this, its in dire need for a revolution. 5/10.

PROS
Lots of levels to play
Great music
B-side dialogue provides a completely different story

CONS
Dumb AI
Boring linear level design
Clunky cameras
Boring and frustrating multiplayer modes
Outdated graphics

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 07/01/04