Tenchu 4 is being developed by Acquire the original creators of the series. Tenchu is a popular stealth game series wherein the player assumes the role of a ninja.Tenchu is known for its stealth gameplay, and the eerie settings of feudal Japan. It was one of the first ninja games to incorporate stealth, a very crucial aspect of Ninjutsu. However, aside from featuring traditional martial arts battles, the game incorporates elements of fantasy and Japanese mythology.
Story
The series takes place in feudal Japan. The original story revolves around two ninja: Rikimaru and Ayame. Rikimaru is a tall, silver-haired ninja with a single ninjato named Izayoi and a scar over his right eye. He is stronger than Ayame but relatively slower. Ayame is a kunoichi, or female ninja, wearing standard ninja clothes with her midriff exposed. She carries a pair of kodachi. She is faster and has more combos than Rikimaru, but is the weaker of the two. Both have been members of the Azuma ninja clan since childhood.
The two ninja serve the heroic Lord Gohda, and work for him as his secret spies to root out corruption and gather intelligence in his province. However, the evil demonic sorcerer Lord Mei-Oh seeks to destroy Lord Gohda, and using his demon warrior Onikage, wreaks havoc throughout Lord Gohda's province. Although Mei-Oh was killed in the first game, Onikage appeared in all subsequent games (except Fatal Shadows) as the archenemy of the two ninja, especially Rikimaru. Another major character who shows up frequently is Princess Kiku, Lord Gohda's daughter who is often the damsel in distress.
Gameplay
The game perspective is over-the-shoulder-third-person. There are numerous items to help the ninja on his/her mission, but unlockable items can be acquired if the player gets a "Grand Master" rating at the end of the level by being as stealthy as possible. Items and controls vary from game to game, but the gameplay is essentially the same throughout. Stealth is a very important element in the game, where players have to duck, crouch, and hide behind walls to avoid detection. Enemies can be killed with one hit by using Stealth Kills, and a player can avoid detection by looking at the Ki meter. The larger the number, the closer the player is to an enemy. If a player is spotted, the Ki meter will turn red, the enemy will alert everyone in the area, and the player is forced to fight hand-to-hand or hide somewhere until the enemies give up their search and resume their patrol routes (similar to Metal Gear Solid's "Soliton Radar").
Videos
1 - Debut Trailer
2 - New Trailer
Famitsu scan translation
- Main characters are Rikimaru (the white-haired guy) and Ayame (the girl) - The story is set 1 year after the riots caused by the Witchcraft Lord "Tenrai". Some troubled activities still remain uncovered on the Gouda territory, and the forces behind these activities are starting to gain in power. In addition, another incident related to the abduction of the princess Kiku (Lord Gouda Matsunoshin's daughter) occurred in the meantime. In the end, it's up to the ninja Rikimaru, one of the most faithful Gouda servant, to investigate these incidents... - It's basically a "Stealth Ninja Action Game", so the best key words that could describe this game's mechanics are : "Sneaking" and "Assassinating". - The graphical production, the action, as well as every dramatic aspect have been considerably improved for this new entry. Could apparently be "the epitome of the series". - Refreshed character design, and a new set of actors too. - The specificities of each character lie essentially in their many killing techniques, which are each emphasised with their own "assassination cutscene". - Perform various spy moves, such as hiding in water, climbing on ceilings and sneaking on ceiling boards, hiding in dark corners, transporting and dissimulating bodies, hiding inside the baggage of itinerant caravans to sneak inside heavily guarded places,...and many other possibilities, including moves entirely new to the series. - Use your spy moves freely to hide yourself, collect informations, and strike when you find an opportunity ; these are, basically, the very foundations of the infiltration gameplay. - A series of screenshots shows a special move allowing you to throw an enemy's body directly into a water pond right after killing him, thus hiding the body. -"Using various ninja tools (smoke bombs, shurikens,...) has always been one of the series strength, and this time is no different". In fact,it looks like this time around, the functionalities of these items will be based around the fact that you'll also be able to use these in combination with the Wiimote and nunchuk motion controls/pointer. We will apparently be able to learn more about about that in an upcoming issue.
Personal Opinion(for Stevo_the_gamer)
I think the game looks interesting and the fact that is being developed by Acquire the creators of the series and the most critically acclaimed intallments, is a good sign that Tenchu 4 could actually be amazing. :)
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