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WoH: THE NINJAS ARE BACK, AND BETTER THAN EVER |
 Arend D. Hart from StationPlay says (20/Apr/2003): |
Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Activision
By Arend D. Hart, Chief Editor
Few series that have moved gamers like the Tenchu series. The first title was released on the PlayStation moments before the original Metal Gear Solid hit the shelves, and the stealthy exploits of the two games succeeded in changing the tides of gaming forever. Both titles forced players to use wit, rather than straight-up power, to dispatch enemies and advance through levels - Tenchu in feudal Japan, MGS in the present. The formula has been copied many times since, but the original MGS and Tenchu titles set a benchmark against which all stealth action titles are measured.
A prequel-sequel to Tenchu was released in 2000, but received mixed reactions from fans due to a smattering of technical issues. It was obvious that the developers had attempted to beef up the game in efforts to please and impress fans, but the aging PlayStation console wasn’t up to the task. True fans enjoyed the title, but wouldn’t admit that it was superior to the original.
With the launch of the PS2, the gaming world waited in restless anticipation for the 128 bit update to the 32 bit classics - in particular an update to MGS. Soon after, MGS2: Sons of Liberty hit the shelves. For the first time, gamers everywhere agreed that the bar had officially been raised in the stealth-action genre. Konami’s sequel shot up the charts and became the new benchmark. But MGS is a militaristic stealth-action title, a genre which is getting more and more populated with similar titles like Syphon Filter and Splinter Cell, and fans were still waiting for a next-generation stealth-action ninja title.
That’s not to say that the PS2 didn’t see its share of ninja titles in other genres, it just didn’t see any to match the mystique of Tenchu. Bushido Blade returned on the PS2, but proved to be a lackluster fighting title. Sega revived Shinobi as a 3D slasher/arcade/action title, but not even his wall-walking exploits could save Shinobi from repetitious gameplay hell. We were all waiting for our Tenchu, and after a long delay - it’s finally arrived - and it was well worth waiting for. While maybe not as groundbreaking as MGS2 was at it’s release, Tenchu is a blast to play and it proves that the series truly belongs on the next-gen systems which finally have enough power to showcase the amazing visuals and detail. Sure, it has some issues - but all games have issues. As a package though, Tenchu:WOH pretty darn sweet, and it justly lives up to the Tenchu reputation.
If you’ve played the previous Tenchu titles, then you’ll feel right at home with Wrath of Heaven. Except for a few minor changes and additions, the characters, settings, weapons and control scheme are all straight out of the prior Tenchu games. Rikimaru and Ayame return as stealth assassins; ridding feudal Japan of corrupt businessmen, rescuing hostages, etc.. But just because Tenchu:WOH doesn’t make any huge gameplay changes from the previous titles, don’t think that that you are getting the standard 128bit graphically spit-shined rehash (See: Gran Turismo 3). See, the difference is that Tenchu finally plays like it’s supposed to - smooth, slick and stealthy. Most of the lagging, nagging issues of the prior releases have been addressed by the newly employed development house, K2, and it makes all the difference. The Tenchu series has always had loads of potential and only now, a half a decade later, are we finally able to fully realize the enjoyment that WOH provides.
So what has been improved? For one, the draw distance has been significantly improved. Any fan of the previous Tenchu titles knows that the underpowered PlayStation couldn’t handle processing the worlds as they were designed, so everything was soaked in a pea-soup fog which did an excellent job of concealing enemies, yet did nothing to camouflage your own character - resulting in a ton of accidental alerts and missed stealth-kill opportunities.
The camera and character controls have also seen considerable upgrading and the two work together to make sneaking a lot less difficult in WOH than in the previous titles. And, since you are awarded for being stealthy (i.e. unlocking special moves for getting nine stealth kills in each mission), the improved control scheme is a welcome change. Many of the button combos have been simplified in WOH as well. For instance, Tenchu 2 had you doing a strange two-button combo for a double-jump (I think it was X-O, and you had to have the timing just right) - now, simply pressing jump twice will suffice. There is still some difficulty when pivoting - especially in the sneaking stance. This may cause some difficulty when lining up for a stealth kill, but the enemy AI is fairly weak (a shortcoming, indeed) so if spotted, simply running out of sight until the heat is off will almost always afford you another crack at getting a clean kill.
As for the stealth kills themselves - due to the relative ease in controlling your character, the improved graphics and the weak AI in WOH, stealth kills are much easier to perform than on the previous releases and each of every one looks a heck of a lot better on the PS2. If you’re not familiar with Tenchu’s stealth kills, it’s pretty simple; there are numerous ways to skewer a person, and most every imaginable method is available here. Based on how you approach the victim (from the right side, from the left side, from above, from the front, etc.), if you can successfully sneak up on a guard without alerting him of your presence, you will be awarded with a one-hit stealth kill cutscene. Generally, you’ll see the more common approach from-behind scenes of your character slitting the throat (and sometimes decapitating) the guard. But there are those special circumstances where you get to approach from the less-practical angles and are presented with a handful of spectacularly gory scenes. You’ll find yourself hooked on nailing the stealth kills - if not for the awards presented after nine stealth kills, at least to speed the game up a bit (since stealth kills are one-hit while actual swordplay with the guards can prove very dangerous and time consuming).
Obviously, there are some weaknesses in Tenchu-WOH. I’ve already alluded to the AI issues which have caused many reviewers to, in my opinion, unfairly trash this title. I mean - true, the AI is pretty stupid in WoH. They guards and ninjas either stand in one place and pivot a set amount at a set frequency, or pace about in unwavering patterns. As I said before, when spotted, simply running away will silence the guards’ curiosity - and if on some small chance the guards take chase, more often than not they will get stuck on corners. With titles like MGS2, Splinter Cell, and even the old Syphon Filter series all having good-to-great enemy AI, the AI in WoH is nearly inexcusable - and more akin to a poorly designed platformer than the top-shelf stealth action title it is. But I did say that it was nearly inexcusable, because although it is disappointing, the game still plays well and would be fairly difficult, if not impossible, to play if the AI characters were constantly chasing you around and alerting the other guards. So, the AI is definitely a black mark, but not a big enough one to ruin the game for me.
I also had some issues with the controls as well. I mentioned that the controls were greatly improved from the previous titles - and that is true, but it still doesn’t mean that the controls are perfect. I still had a heck of a time sneaking around corners and partitions, where my ninja would stick trying to figure out whether I wanted him to pivot, strafe or go back-to-the-wall. And, thinking of that reminds me of another control issue - it’s quite aggravating when sneaking up on guard (i.e. crouching through a stand of waist-high bushes) only to have your character come to what the game deems as too close to a wall and suddenly pop up into the back-to-the-wall pose in plain view of the guard. And even though the enemy AI is generally pretty stupid, either the motion or the sound or a combination always seem to set the guards off if this ever happens.
All in all though, I have to say that Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is an awesome ninja title. It may not be the end-all-be-all of the gaming industry, but is the best ninja title available for any console right now, and I’m having a really difficult time putting WoH down so I can play some of the other games I need to review. It’s a great title and if you’re into this kinda thing, then I would suggest you give this game a try. Diehard Tenchu fans will be blown away, ninja fans will be amazed, and the casual gamer will be pleased. A definite must-rent for all, and a must-buy for most.
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Get a Peek at Tenchu 3 |
| StationPlay says (24/Jan/2003): |
You know you're excited about Tenchu 3, or else you wouldn't be here, right? You already know that the original Tenchu was one of the first "Stealth Action" games for the console market, and has influenced dozens of games with it's cinematic stealth kills and sneaking. The second Tenchu improved on the first in many ways, but was sadly hampered by the outdated PSone hardware. but you know, you really don't give a rat's ass about the past, right? All you care about is seeing your stealth assasins on in glorious 128bit splendor, right?
Well, your wish will soon be granted, Honorable Grasshopper, and it's looking like Tenchu 3 will be much better than we previously expected. An insider has given us the key to some exclusive screenshots. Just check out these pages and see for yourself:
Click this Daniel-san:
Tenchu 3 Pics
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Good, Yet repetitive. |
| Dylan from Stillwater, OK says (3/Jan/2006): |
This game seems to go by the same missions as the last Tenchu did. In tenchu 2, if you start off as ayame, you have to go through a level just like the kidnapping, except that you have to kill a bandit. In Rikimaru's first lvl in #2, the boss has a gun just like that boss. And, the 3rd lvl is always infiltrating a castle thats been taken over by some evil source. And, the stealth kills haven't changed. I also miss the map building segment of tenchu 2. The graphics are better, but the game is the same.
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The best ninja game around!-tenchu:Wrath of heaven |
| Jonathan.Z from Sydney Australia says (12/Jan/2004): |
Tenchu is by far the greatest ninja game in existence.It provides players with beautiful graphics,advanced array of weaponry,a new character to use,new bosses as well as an old one(Onikage),excellent story line and plot,excellent gameplay and it also maintains its original characters(Rikimaru and Ayame).
I also found the newly added abilities fun and useful to use.Especially the grappling hook combo and the one where you can cling to the ceiling.I also found it good that there was a large amount of stages to play as well as a bonus one.Its also good that the players don't repeat themselves all the time like other ps2 ninja games.
One thing that i did think that needed work was the bonus character(Tesshu).I found it kinda sucked that he didn't have a sword or a weapon of his own appart from his fists.Well.......at least you can charge up the last hit of his combo by holding down the attack button to do extra damage.
Another thing that was good about the game is the sound is good.The guards can be seen having a conversation sometimes witch was really interesting!
One more thing that i liked about Tenchu is that the stealth kills are graphically better and look so cool.You can even cut their heads off some times!(i found i could only do this with Ayame)
Anyway sorry this review dragged on a bit but i found nothing appart from good things to say about Tenchu:Wrath Of Heaven-The best ninja game in the WORLD!
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Tenchu Wrath Of Heaven Da One And Only |
| Brixie1or2 from london says (4/Nov/2003): |
Iplayed Tenchu Wrath Of Heaven an d 2 me i thought this was a really good title for ps2. The only thing is that it is just exactly like the original first one but just looks graphically better. The gameplay sound and graphics are just truelly brilliant and cool and i would personally add this 2 my ps2 best titles collection. If you want ninja,stealth,action,tactics,and just pure gameplay from start 2 finish Tenchue is da one!.
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Rikimaru the Shadow |
| Scott Collins from Delphi, USA says (8/Sep/2003): |
This is the best game. The graphics are awesome, gameplay could be better, and the fun factor of this game is out of the roof! I really liked the last battle in Rikimaru's missions. I think the hidden character could have been somebody better. I never really got into these games until one of my friends showed me this game. Then I was hooked. The only other game that could compare to Tenchu is Shinobi. But Tenchu still beats it out. I would recommend this game to anyone who loves gore games or just looking to have some fun. Rikimaru is the bomb!
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Better Than Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Adrian from Kitchener, Ontario CANADA says (28/Aug/2003): |
This version of Tenchu is cool because it's a new mission and new challenges. The graphics are amazing and I love that game! My friends are getting sick and tired of me talking about it. My dad was the person who got me into it because we're both into the ninjitsu stuff. I love the opening introduction because my friends and I are into the japanese music and anime stuff except they aren't into Tenchu [I don't know why]. Tenchu was the first game we bought for our PS2 nad is the only game we have and trust me, I don't get sick of Tenchu and neither does my dad. I think he's on level 10 for Rikimaru and I'm on level 8 with Ayame. The secret character Tesshu is cool too. A doctor by day and an assassin by night. Although Tesshu is pretty slow he's also pretty powerful. I think it's cool that Rikimaru is the leader of the Azuma Ninjas and I like Ayame's attitude. I also like the weapon selection provided and the stats. [I think I have three levels scored Grand Master and my dad has 2]. Well in closing all I have left to say is that TENCHU ROX!!!!!!
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It is quite a good game better than most games on PS2. |
| CHRIS GREEN says (3/Aug/2003): |
The graphics arnt so good but the sound was abit better and the gameplay was awsome.You could have alot of fun on this game but eventually it would get quite boring after a while.This is a very fun game I think you should buy this Brilliant game while its still out there.There are a few games out like this one but I reckon this game is very uniqe.I liked this game because of its fun levels but I dont like it much because the graphics are not good at all.this game is very good for its value thats why i bought it.
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SOUNDS,GAMEPLAY ,CHARACTERS,& GRAPHICS ARE TIGHT!!!!! |
| Beef from USA says (3/Aug/2003): |
this games the best!it has cool graphics,tight sounds,best gameplay,& cool characters!!!!my favorte character is tesshu because he could charge up and he could stealth really good and he only has six missions!!!my other favorite character is tajima.he could shoot people and he could do a 3 hit samurai combo(if you know how)!!!my last favorite character is ONICAGE!!!he moves fast and his strength is WOE!!!!the thing i only cant do is hes zombify throw.before i left i gave this game a 10 out of 10 because it KICKS!!
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FLY BABY |
| Liquid from USA says (30/Jul/2003): |
Let me just say this plain and simple.Tenchu game is for from wow but behind excellent but that doesn't matter the co op and versus battle saves it's ass . the only worst part in the game that I could ever imagine was the voice of onikage WHO IN THE HELL MADE THAT VOICE.Anyway the thing I really like the most was the versus because nobody is a better character then tajima (in case you don't know he has a sword and a gun even though he's a dante wannabe he still rocks)ah I can still hear those damn words when he points the gun at the guys gut. FLY BABY BAAAAAM.
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Tenchu"wrath of heaven" review. |
| Cyber goth from England, Plymouth, earth says (21/Jul/2003): |
Tenchu"wrath of heaven" is by far one of the best games out. It has gr8 grathics, VS and Co mode. More people (NINJAS) to chose from. A new one player person (Tessue) more lvls. New storylines. And when ur playing the game u get that buzz feeling u got while playing Silent hill. I recomend this gr8 game to anyone who likes fighting/ninja games.
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A Cool Ninja Game But Shinobi Rules them all Dont Forget Ninja Gaiden |
| Caren Coleman from Sacramento California says (1/Jun/2003): |
Tenchu 3 was empressive but i liked Shinobi Better Because Shinobi is Longer cooler and Harder the Tates are very cool any way Tenchu 3 is Not The Ultimate PS2 game cause there are to many cool games for PS2. Any way Tenchu 3 graphics are great the fighting Style is also cool but he needs more stealth Kill moves and More blood like Mortal Kombat Deadly alliance on max mode that would be so wicked cool And Replace the Third Character He sucked like hell Rikimaru is the best character in the game you all know that another thing the story made no sence at all i loved the game the levels are way to short and boring plus the bosses are very stupid easy but stupid.It should have had a two player story mode with longer levels and more weopons with more Unlockables and New characters with their own story i like Tenchu 3 hopefully Tenchu 4 Becomes better and best of all i think there should be a Game with Shinobi,Tenchu,and Ninja Gaiden mixed together that would be so cool!
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Ninjas on crack |
| Crazy posesed cart baby from Oregon,USA says (24/May/2003): |
Hay wats up ninja fans. I you want to check out the best ninja game I have ever played? Of course ya do. So you got to try Tenchu 3:Wrath of Heaven. This game is awsome because there is nothing beter than to take your agretion out on some demons, solders or inosant a Japanies lady. Its awsome how you can sneak around and slit peoples througts or jumping on their sholders and stabing a sword thu the top of a guy's head and out the bottom of his chin. All around, this is a great game. The only bad thing is the two player co-op missions. They need to make more levles.
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The Best Game Ever |
| Jim from UK says (22/May/2003): |
GREAT game. Better than the 2nd Tenchu and it is violently fun and coooooooool. the graphics are good for the sort of game and without it i would be bored STIFF. It is also great on co-op 2 player because co-op is not on many ps2 games. The lifespan is just right meaning you can play it and play it until you get bored, have sumat 2 eat then play it. The funfactor is killing humourously.
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Piccolo |
| Piccolo from Greenwich,Ct says (2/May/2003): |
This game deifnetly blew my mind away. The graphics are the best I've ever seen. Stelth games are really the best and tenchu makes this very true. Rikimuru and Tesshu are two of the best ninjas in the game. But all in all this game actually deserves a 12 out of 10. The opening theme song id much better than the birth of assasins and other people who have had this game agree with me.
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Not the best Tenchu but it is where it all starts to get better. |
| Jon from woodbridge, va says (30/Apr/2003): |
I don't think that this is the best tenchu yet. I really loved Tenchu 2: birth of stealth assassains. I think this is just a platform. I expect the next tenchu (hopefully there will be another!) to be 100 times better than WOH. It is kind of like Metal Gear Sons of Liberty. Many people would argue that it played well, but it could have been better. It's the first metal gear for PS2...this is the first tenchu for ps2...It can only get better from here.
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A long way to go!!!!!! |
| Robert cunningham from Dublin says (26/Apr/2003): |
The graphics of this game could be much better there a bit psone
status. The lifespan of the game is good with co-op and versus and three caracters. The good thing about the game is you can jump of roofs and break peoples necks.The game doesnt make sense the way three people kill the same boss differant ways and I didnt know japeneese people had an american acsent.Plus the game is way to easy to play.This was a big dissapointment and dosent stand a chance against GTA:VC.
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I am the stealth man |
| Zach from south carolina, USA says (14/Apr/2003): |
I just played tenchu 3 and it is by far the best game i have ever played the game is to the point and i like all the weapons in this game. The reason i rated this game 10 is because of the graphics and overall gameplay. The part of the game that really stood out to me was the stealth mode. In the stealth mode you can sneak up on unexpected enemies and kill them with one fatal blow. You can do different moves depending on the direction your about to attack in. this have good weapons here are some: you can disguise yourself you can make yourself invisable, they got bombs and chinese stars, and they got poison rice cakes./ something that also stood out to me is the multiplayer mode in the multiplayer you can look for scrolls,and kill each other this game have a good selection of characters. The thing I hated in this games the most is the camera view. I mean you would have to get a new angle every time you move that gets tiring after a while. I- would reall recomend this game to anyone you likes action, stealth, and killing. If the makers of tenchu should come out with tenchu 4 all they really have to do is change the camera view then the game would be the ultimate playstaion 2 game.
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The spirt of the Ninja will live on 4ever |
| KyoSiko from Amarillio, Texas says (14/Apr/2003): |
When I first poped in this game I really liked it Rikimaru being my favorite character of course the graphics have obviously improved being on Ps2 Rikimaru looks more how should I say it masculine and Ayame looks more Asian the fighting system is so much better Activision has added more hand and feet action like the spin kick and the low spin and the special move the shoulder thrust which I found very usefull when eluding enemies that have spotted me. The one character I wanted to replace the third character was Tatsumaru in my opinion he is the best character in the series of Tencu even though he is a playable character in 2 player versus mode and kicks serious butt!!!!!!!!! he is not a playable character in story mode which angered me very much that is my only fault in this game other wise this game is incredible.
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Look up..... |
| C4Kitty from Vancouver, B.C. says (10/Apr/2003): |
I found this game to be very addictive, however I found that the enemies were extremely stupid. Perhaps the developers thought that it would be fun to have all the enemies in the game take stupid pills. For instance they can't look up to see you standing right above them, they can't seem to open doors on their own, and they seem to not know that they can fall to their deaths. I found the camera to be very annoying, but it wasn't that hard to compensate. Perhaps both the best and worst part of the game was the bosses. One the one hand I found that while playing Shinobi the levels were repedative eg. kill the enemies then moves to the next room and the bosses were far too complex to have to go through those long and boring rooms again and again. I found that Tenchu 3 on the otherhand was much more fun in the way it was laid out, since you can run away from enemies to another room and the levels were not so insanely difficult that if you died while fighting a boss you didn't have to run through the same boring garbage over and over. But, the lack of difficulty while fighting the bosses was disapointing. Since you only had to use the bombs on them and they would die with two or three shots, 7 or 8 for the final boss. There was lack of stratagy, which is very disapointing. Perhaps if Tenchu had been a blend of Shinobi and the way it already is then it might have been a little bit better. Such as harder difficulty on the bosses, as well as the wall cling/run. I found that particularily fun while playing Shinobi.
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