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August 13, 2006 | 1:16 PM PST
by: Jeff Kennedy
It's a smaller Tenchu, but powered by two screens. Can we expect something better?
Tenchu originally came to the American shores back in 1998 on the PSX and was hailed by many as one of the best things offered for the system in its era. Tenchu’s world has always revolved around a similar 3rd person format bound together in a feudal Japanese setting in which, you, the ninja, take on various roles of stealth, action, strategy, and weapon skills to complete your mission. Tenchu rewarded players regardless of how they approached the mission, but extra points went to the one who could gracefully perform task using stealth and cunning. Since the original title first appeared the series spawned a sequel on the PSX and has seen more releases since for Sony platforms, but now for the first time it is heading to a new home on the Nintendo DS.
Tenchu: Dark Secret, the latest chapter in this series, places players in the shoes of ninja assassins that are sworn to the protection of a princess. The story returns apparently to the original timeline set down with the original PSX releases and chronologically falls after the second in the series (Birth of the Stealth Assassins) which oddly enough despite being the sequel was the first in the story. The plot revolves in this title around Princess Shizu who is married to an evil warlord known as Lord Hakkaku. She is discovered by Rikimaru and Ayama of the Azuma Shinobi Ryu clan after a failed attempt on her life. Upon learning of the plot the two swear allegiance and vow to protect her from further harm while trying to track down the mystery assassin who is ordered to kill her.
Players in this game will able to stalk enemies with their sword, set various traps, and construct various weapons and items during the over 40 single player missions in this title. Beyond the general scope of the plot players can also challenge others to multi player matches. Furthermore, using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service those very players can also buy, sell, and trade items with other friends or strangers. So if you’re running short on supplies they might be a simple net connection away in this adventure.
Outlook:
With all that is known of this game so far the title could shape up to be one excellent stealth action game for the Nintendo DS. Going by what is known of the plot to this point it appears there should be a few good twists to make you want to see how this latest Tenchu chapter will turn out. Will Rikimaru and Ayame be able to keep the princess alive? Does a mysterious secret she knows possibly destroy the two who have decided to protect her very life? This game will be releasing very shortly and only then will all of us know the scope of the story and if the gameplay lives up to its predecessors, and I for one can’t wait.
-- Jeff Kennedy
Tenchu originally came to the American shores back in 1998 on the PSX and was hailed by many as one of the best things offered for the system in its era. Tenchu’s world has always revolved around a similar 3rd person format bound together in a feudal Japanese setting in which, you, the ninja, take on various roles of stealth, action, strategy, and weapon skills to complete your mission. Tenchu rewarded players regardless of how they approached the mission, but extra points went to the one who could gracefully perform task using stealth and cunning. Since the original title first appeared the series spawned a sequel on the PSX and has seen more releases since for Sony platforms, but now for the first time it is heading to a new home on the Nintendo DS.
Tenchu: Dark Secret, the latest chapter in this series, places players in the shoes of ninja assassins that are sworn to the protection of a princess. The story returns apparently to the original timeline set down with the original PSX releases and chronologically falls after the second in the series (Birth of the Stealth Assassins) which oddly enough despite being the sequel was the first in the story. The plot revolves in this title around Princess Shizu who is married to an evil warlord known as Lord Hakkaku. She is discovered by Rikimaru and Ayama of the Azuma Shinobi Ryu clan after a failed attempt on her life. Upon learning of the plot the two swear allegiance and vow to protect her from further harm while trying to track down the mystery assassin who is ordered to kill her.
Players in this game will able to stalk enemies with their sword, set various traps, and construct various weapons and items during the over 40 single player missions in this title. Beyond the general scope of the plot players can also challenge others to multi player matches. Furthermore, using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service those very players can also buy, sell, and trade items with other friends or strangers. So if you’re running short on supplies they might be a simple net connection away in this adventure.
Outlook:
With all that is known of this game so far the title could shape up to be one excellent stealth action game for the Nintendo DS. Going by what is known of the plot to this point it appears there should be a few good twists to make you want to see how this latest Tenchu chapter will turn out. Will Rikimaru and Ayame be able to keep the princess alive? Does a mysterious secret she knows possibly destroy the two who have decided to protect her very life? This game will be releasing very shortly and only then will all of us know the scope of the story and if the gameplay lives up to its predecessors, and I for one can’t wait.
-- Jeff Kennedy
November 20, 2009
