Newer Tenchu (post-PSX) games worth getting?

[Ed Oscuro]

I loved the original back when it was still relatively new and I still do. Relatively easy to play and had lots of style. Today, I cracked open my copy of Tenchu 2; I seriously took nearly two hours to figure out where the exit to the training level was (including checking on a walkthrough or two) - and then funky level design in the second segment had me tied up for another 5-10 minutes trying to decipher the map and realizing it was a multiple-level job. After loading up with various new items for the second map, getting through that, the horrible boss fight that follows (not hard, just...dumb), and finally watching the cutscene for the castle level I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I have never felt let down by a game - but for various reasons Tenchu 2 really doesn't do it for me at all.

Anyhow. There's at least two more games, and are they any good? Plus I'd like to know if they have proper BGMs for the game (doesn't make sense for a ninja game, does it?)

[Lemmy Kilmister]

Anyhow. There's at least two more games, and are they any good? Plus I'd like to know if they have proper BGMs for the game (doesn't make sense for a ninja game, does it?)

Don't know about two games (less your talking about the up coming one),but Wrath of heaven is awesome. I was lucky anuff to have picked it up cheap when it first came out, and was blow away. It takes everything that was bad with the series basically and fixes it, such as the lack of analog control.

[Ed Oscuro]

I see that Return from Darkness is an updated Wrath of Heaven (and thus Kurenai must be WoH in Japan), with better AI and some other goodies - I might end up going that way (especially as I have an XBox but no PS2!)

Hmm. Tenchu 2 seems to have been a fluke after all; some people were turned off by all the same specific things I was/am (i.e. this guy (http://www.epinions.com/game-review-3CD5-11FF572C-399583BE-prod1), who has all the same beefs with it that I does). I'm seriously disliking it much...I'll probably try to slog my way through it but I will say that the "stereotypical" voice acting of the original DID introduce an element of humor to it, whereas even the voice of Roy Campbell, U.S. Amy [ret., same as in this game heh] himself can't help this game's voice acting from feeling totally, completely wrong. And yes, we all know Ayame's english voice was wrong for the character...er. That's really a minor issue, but representative of the changes I dislike in this game.

Also, wtf? (http://xboxmedia.ign.com/xbox/image/tenchu_020204__020204_005.jp) This and the guy with something that looks like a hair dryer are wierding me out. :o

[Lemmy Kilmister]

I see that Return from Darkness is an updated Wrath of Heaven (and thus Kurenai must be WoH in Japan), with better AI and some other goodies - I might end up going that way (especially as I have an XBox but no PS2!)


Oh yeah, forgot about Return from Darkness. That would likely be the better buy, but both only cost about 15-20 bucks new at most stores.


but I will say that the "stereotypical" voice acting of the original DID introduce an element of humor to it

LOL You mean something like this?

http://www.tenchu.de/images/tenchu1/characters/sekiya.jpg

http://www.tenchu.de/sounds/english/tenchu1/q30.mp3

[Ed Oscuro]

Oops, Kurenai seems to be the upcoming game published by...SEGA?! Still not developed by them, but it seems to have two shinobi/ninja game series backed by the same company. (From Software's still doing it.)

Yeah, you must be a skilled an a ruufless (I ripped all the sound files from the game to disk a month or so back)! LOL Amazingly, the segment where he talks to you right before you enter training is a movie clip - it's not done ingame! Complete waste of space. The developers seem to have filled the disc up with stupid stuff on purpose.

My favorite was "You want the stone?" Buu is pretty hillarious, too, what with "Buu tired...Buu can't play no more" and the like. Some of it's pretty awful, but it still seems better than Tenchu 2's voice.

One thing that is bugging me about Return from Darkness is the screenshot I linked to - are there truly fat policemen in the game, or was Activision/the devs pulling our leg on that one? Seeing as how the invisibility sheet is described, I think not, but still...

[PhoeniX]

Both Wrath of Heaven and the xbox update are pretty good games. The xbox version definately has some nice improvements but in practice it provides nothing that is amazingly better than the similair ps2 version. I really like the game(s), it is like an arcady splinter cell--markedly different though from the MGS series. The current titles keep much to the formula of the original PSX--almost to a fall. In the end I would say the game seriously is lacking of any major inovation. Still, I found myself playing this game (primarily the ps2 version) for hours and days-on-end; even finishing most of the level layout variations. As far as game-play, it really relies on the user playing it in the spirit it was intended (and thus requires much imagination at times) the AI (even the improved xbox one) is painfully easy to abuse, but this renders the game un-fun. Aditionally it is possible to run through amlost every level--even on high difficulty-- and escape relatively unscathed. The player is awarded by playing the game as though they were a ninja, it's most fun playing this arcady title the way one would normally play a stategy title, careful deliberate action that is awarded with a more deeply immersive narrative tone. My final gripe is the camera, I yearn for third-person games to someday aquire universally the ease of use of say a splinter cell, controls and view will eventually become natural but there is a little bit of akwardness still. Bad controls and dubious gameplay (e.g. AI mishaps and exploits) at times entice the player out of a pure gameplay experiance, pulling you out of the experiance. This is especially unfortunate because the best part of this game is the atmosphere, the feel of your own heartbeat in tandom with Ayame--getting into the spirit and narrative of this game is an experiance that is very rewarding.

[Ikari Warrior]

If you get Return to Darkness, check Toysrus, I found mine there this week for $6.50. I wasn't even looking to get this game but at that price I couldn't resist!