ScreenCritics Groot takes a look back at the PlayStation's forgotten classic 'Tenchu: Stealth Assassin' - does it still hold up?
'Tenchu: Stealth Assassins' showed the world how to live by honor and kill by stealth.
Seriously?
In the 80s, there were two Metal Gear games alone that helped to usher in stealth games. And in 1998, there were 3 major games that have become the foundation for modern-day stealth games (not just one). Tenchu, Thief, and Metal Gear Solid. The last one is the most popular of the three.
Yeah. I think the writer is off in his history. Or was only born during the era of PlayStation. As much as I love Aquire games, Tenchu wasn't first in this concept as I was sneaking well before 98. But I'm guessing he's giving it credit as first to release on PS1 even though Metal Gear Solid was to release in 1997 before Tenchu but was delayed.
The strange thing, and it's speculation, both games are in development in 94, 95. Someone seems to know what the other is doing without getting busted for copyright infringement. Maybe developers talked about concepts over saki. Same over the head angle, same first person view to look, same angle in hiding behind a wall, both simulating different forms of combat, same changes in music, both orchestra like, both releasing for PS1, etc.
The timing of both arriving with a similar gameplay concept in 3D is just interesting. Sony publishing Tenchu is interesting. I would like to know "who knew who and who knew what in relation to both at that time. Unless it was just spontaneous. It's rare for that to happen though. And Sony then releasing the flip side of stealth with Syphon Filter.
But I guess it all doesn't matter. Metal Gear and Tenchu both get accolades for their awesomeness. Metal Gear gets the high sales and recognition from a series that started well before PlayStation that I think grew the stealth genre more than Tenchu did.
Shout out to Noriyuki Asakura. His music was banging at the time. Even the title music is awesome.
Metal Gear Solid was not awash with the numerous gadgets the article alludes to, although who could forget the usefulness of chaff grenades! MGS also became classic with all those codec conversations, cutscenes and goofy Kojima moments like putting the gamepad on the floor and having Mantis move it with his l337 skillz. IIRC, Tenchu was much less about the sword based combat, and much more panther stealth with fun tools. It also offered open sandbox type maps which MGS games didn't really offer until MGS V! The grappling hook as well has been used in many games since then including the Assassin's Creed series. I think the author has a point buried in there (not discrediting Tenchu at all), but perhaps ignoring the other stealth games at the time comes across a little disingenuous.
The whole stealth assassination by sneaking up to an enemy for an instant kill can be pretty much be attributed to Tenchu and is a mechanic common in almost every modern 3rd person action game. Assassin's Creed, Souls games, heck, even RE4 Remake has it now.
Ah, I see you changed the title after my comment. It used to say it invented stealth games we know today. I agree with the new title but perhaps do that before submitting.
Over two decades later, many PlayStation 1 players have probably forgotten about the game that started the stealth genre.
Yep, probably my favourite game on the original PS. Tenchu 2 level creator was also really cool. Wrath of Heaven was also great. I was hopeful Sekiro would bring back the Tenchu goodness but it is a different beast.
Never say never.
I would be shocked if they let it die after the Tenchu Z disaster. I liken it to F-Zero: it's not dead. There just need to be certain conditions met to make it happen.
It's been 25 years since Tenchu: Stealth Assassins first launched on the PS1. Let's not forget just how influential this series actually was.
Lol. Armored core. Damn that brings back memories. Used to play the demo only cause we were so poor. Played it years later. Wasn't a big fan. Think the demo had nfl GameDay 98 on it to with the bus.
That's Square.
Again: That is Square. Square Enix.
Now, are you sure you want them to make a new Bushido Blade?
Mannn Bushido blade!!
Now that brings back some memories for me, chopping bamboo sticks and legs hahaha
You're right. Sekiro started as a Tenchu game, but eventually evolved into its own thing. My theory is that the rights to Tenchu are tied up somehwere.
It didn’t start as a Tenchu game. They just had a slogan that was something to do with “out of the shadows” and people guessed it might be Tenchu.
I miss this series!
Same, I love the Soundtrack too. I got psx's 1&2 but for some reason Aquire/Spike, was not allowed to port Ps2's Tenchu 3 officially named Shinobido Imashime "Way of the Ninja" to the US. The UK got theirs. I'm still to this day angry at Sony for this. For Chrisake, they could at least found a way to bring this to PSN, This and Shinobido 2 is even on the PS Vita!!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...
Why this game hasn't been remade of remastered is beyond me! One of the most fun games of the nineties!
Great soundtrack, and very scary in certain parts. At least when I was 10. I have the soundtrack on my pc though.
I hope somebody remake this game, its truly a ninja game classic i miss from the 90's that deserves a remake in the worst way.