Descending from the rooftops in the black of night, slaying its foe then sliding back into the shadows is...
Mainline Entry 01 - Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Formats: Playstation
Known for its stealth based gameplay, this third person action series launched during the PS1 early days of 3D gamings true emergence and the stealth based genre was just on the cusp of becoming the next big thing. With various moves and a grappling hook, players used one of two characters to work through 10 levels of feudal Japanese action. The game was well received on release and was also notable for two release quirks, the first being that its original release in Japan did not include all the known content, that came from a later rerelease that added in two more levels. The second is that the game received a standalone expansion pack as well containing a total of 122 missions.
Mainline Entry 02 - Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins
Formats: Playstation
The sequel was in fact a prequel to the original game and was largely a refinement of the gameplay. The biggest and most positively received addition was a mission editor that allowed players to create their own missions. Momentum from the original release carried over and once again a decent response critically and in sales met the game.
Mainline Entry 03 - Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Formats: Playstation 2, Playstation Portable and Xbox
As hardware generations changed the series made the jump with this third entry that offered three playable characters and continued the series plotline. The most notable alteration for this games releases was that of the Xbox version that was released under the subtitle Return from Darkness and saw two more missions added amidst other extras. With added polish over the previous generation entries Tenchu once again struck reviewers well.
Mainline Entry 04 - Tenchu: Fatal Shadows
Formats: Playstation 2 and Playstation Portable
Skipping Microsofts first console this time, the series fourth entry offered little new over the previous game and reviews were more mixed for the first time.
Spin Off Entry 01 - Tenchu: Time of the Assassins
Formats: Playstation Portable
The series debuted its first spin-off with this entry that played similarly to the existing four games but allowed players to face enemies from the franchise past. Not released in western markets, the game attempted to cover every aspect of the series including its multiplayer elements but each felt cut down or compromised in some way and once again a mixed response was the result.
Spin Off Entry 02 - Tenchu: Dark Secret
Formats: Nintendo DS
Spin Off Entry 03 - Tenchu Z
Formats:Xbox 360
The developers had taken the series initial popularity and effectively branched out with these tie ins just at the wrong point, each undoing the good work the original trilogy had laid out. This latest spin-off was the series new generation debut and allowed players to create their own ninja who then undertook missions from characters of the main series. Despite once again emulating the same play style as previous games, it didn't go down that well.
Spin Off Entry 04 - Shadow Assault: Tenchu
Formats: Xbox 360
A low budget action puzzler for the XBL service, this title played in a similar manner to the Bomberman games with players navigating a maze and laying traps for other players and enemies. Though a low key release it led to yet another decline in the series review scoring and reputation.
Spin Off Entry 05 - Tenchu: Shadow Assassins
Formats: Wii and Playstation Portable
The final game in the series and though it takes things back to the original games somewhat it was inexplainably still not the game fans wanted. The set up of the game was the same as before, several characters taking down targets across ten levels, but this time primarily designed around the motion controls of Nintendo's hit console. With another swing they delivered another miss and the series had finally burnt its audience out, coming to an end far from its well thought of roots.
Share your thoughts and memories of Tenchu
Mainline Entry 01 - Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Formats: Playstation
Known for its stealth based gameplay, this third person action series launched during the PS1 early days of 3D gamings true emergence and the stealth based genre was just on the cusp of becoming the next big thing. With various moves and a grappling hook, players used one of two characters to work through 10 levels of feudal Japanese action. The game was well received on release and was also notable for two release quirks, the first being that its original release in Japan did not include all the known content, that came from a later rerelease that added in two more levels. The second is that the game received a standalone expansion pack as well containing a total of 122 missions.
Mainline Entry 02 - Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins
Formats: Playstation
The sequel was in fact a prequel to the original game and was largely a refinement of the gameplay. The biggest and most positively received addition was a mission editor that allowed players to create their own missions. Momentum from the original release carried over and once again a decent response critically and in sales met the game.
Mainline Entry 03 - Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Formats: Playstation 2, Playstation Portable and Xbox
As hardware generations changed the series made the jump with this third entry that offered three playable characters and continued the series plotline. The most notable alteration for this games releases was that of the Xbox version that was released under the subtitle Return from Darkness and saw two more missions added amidst other extras. With added polish over the previous generation entries Tenchu once again struck reviewers well.
Mainline Entry 04 - Tenchu: Fatal Shadows
Formats: Playstation 2 and Playstation Portable
Skipping Microsofts first console this time, the series fourth entry offered little new over the previous game and reviews were more mixed for the first time.
Spin Off Entry 01 - Tenchu: Time of the Assassins
Formats: Playstation Portable
The series debuted its first spin-off with this entry that played similarly to the existing four games but allowed players to face enemies from the franchise past. Not released in western markets, the game attempted to cover every aspect of the series including its multiplayer elements but each felt cut down or compromised in some way and once again a mixed response was the result.
Spin Off Entry 02 - Tenchu: Dark Secret
Formats: Nintendo DS
Spin Off Entry 03 - Tenchu Z
Formats:Xbox 360
The developers had taken the series initial popularity and effectively branched out with these tie ins just at the wrong point, each undoing the good work the original trilogy had laid out. This latest spin-off was the series new generation debut and allowed players to create their own ninja who then undertook missions from characters of the main series. Despite once again emulating the same play style as previous games, it didn't go down that well.
Spin Off Entry 04 - Shadow Assault: Tenchu
Formats: Xbox 360
A low budget action puzzler for the XBL service, this title played in a similar manner to the Bomberman games with players navigating a maze and laying traps for other players and enemies. Though a low key release it led to yet another decline in the series review scoring and reputation.
Spin Off Entry 05 - Tenchu: Shadow Assassins
Formats: Wii and Playstation Portable
The final game in the series and though it takes things back to the original games somewhat it was inexplainably still not the game fans wanted. The set up of the game was the same as before, several characters taking down targets across ten levels, but this time primarily designed around the motion controls of Nintendo's hit console. With another swing they delivered another miss and the series had finally burnt its audience out, coming to an end far from its well thought of roots.
Share your thoughts and memories of Tenchu
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