GamingExcellence writes: "Rikimaru and Ayame are back in From Software's latest installment of the Tenchu Series, Tenchu: Shadow Assault, on Xbox Live Arcade. The Tenchu series first debuted on the PlayStation as a stealth assassination game which comes as no surprise as the game had as its subtitle: Stealth Assassins. Over the years, the series has gone through many iterations – making an appearance on nearly every gaming system – and throughout it all, it's always been about stealth action. This latest incarnation on XBLA is no different. However, with a game design that seems completely ripped off from the Bomberman series and repetitive gameplay, this latest addition to the Tenchu series is nothing to shout about."
In this article from GamingUnwrapped, the author will be taking a look back at a stealth series that held prominence in the PS1 and PS2 days: Tenchu. The article explores why the series has gone through a steady decline and what directions could be taken to bring the series back in today's gaming market. This article is opinion-based.
Tenchu was a good series. It if you are going to try the original, hasn't aged well. I imported the JP version and still have it with the Ninja Scroll it came packed with :) I'm surprised we haven't seen a next gen version yet and maybe we never will.
It was an awesome game where you could go through the entire levels only killing the bosses. I remember the first time I used the grappling hook to escape to the roof tops and thought to myself, this is about to be one hell of an game.
I thought Tenchu 2 was the best, used to spend hours on the level editor and making my friends play my levels with about a 100 hidden traps in them lol.
What makes me respect Rikimaru is that even though he wasn't blessed withe the talent as Ayame and Tatsumaru is was his hard work that still made him rise to their level in skill and in some instances surpass it.
Rikimaru is as traditional as a classic shinobi can get.....
I loved them on the old playstations they were such fun titles. Trying to complete levels without being seen was awesome
411mania gives a rundown on this week's game releases. Highlights include Tenchu: Shadow Assassins, My World, My Way, and Another Code: R.
Tenchu: Shadow Assassins (Wii)
"New to the series is a feature called 'Mind's Eye' which allows you to quickly and easily find your enemies on screen and also see what's in their current field of vision. This makes it easier to gauge where you can safely go to avoid discovery while creeping up on your unsuspecting victims. You can also use 'Mind's Eye' to find out what can be manipulated in the area, which means you no longer have to play the guessing game when it comes to finding which flames can be blown out, what objects can be moved, which doors can be opened, etc."
My World, My Way (DS)
"One of the unique features of this game is Elise's ability to change the world around her by pouting. Many objects in the world such as landscapes, shop items, monster stats, and drops are subject to her wants and desires. Of course, you need special points to use the power of the pout, so don't expect to be bossing everything around without limit. You can also look forward to a lot of humor relating to many of the RPG clichés that fans of the genre have had to put up with over the years."
Another Code: R - Kioku no Tobira (Wii Import)
"The first Trace Memory is one of the more memorable first-run DS games thanks to its original and engaging story, decent puzzles, and good use of the DS' features. If history repeats itself, the sequel will be one of the few Nintendo published Wii games that makes good use of the Wii's many unique features without having that 'tacked-on waggle' feel that we've come to expect from most of the system's games."
1UP writes: "Publisher/developer From Software bills Xbox Live Arcade entry Tenchu: Shadow Assault as a "trap action" game, which brings some curious changes to the long-running ninja stealth-adventure series -- and not all of them for the better. Player perspective moves from third-person to bird's-eye view, and enemies now move in circumscribed grid patterns with a clearly defined line of sight (and hit-point totals displayed above their heads). If the change comes across as arbitrary, that's probably because it is.
Nobody seems to have asked for a top-down Tenchu strategy game, especially one schizophrenically split into single-player and multiplayer modes -- indeed, multiplayer undermines the solitary stealth ethos of the series. But longtime fans should be happy that unlike in immediate predecessor Tenchu Z (which let players create their own ninjas), series regulars Rikimaru and Ayame are back -- as are a number of other familiar faces as unlockables, each with unique characteristics and their own special move."
