Tenchu at its best!
The graphics weren't the best, but they worked damn well. Distance was measured perfectly, so the grappling hook was a blast to use. Maps were large and there were many hidden areas even starting from the first stage. The voice acting, believe it or not, was better in this one than in the others. Rikimaru's voice oozed cool.
The AI wasn't too bright at all... very... MGS style "huh? I got punched? Waaaaait a minute!" But it was still a challenge to take out everyone without being seen and as quickly and smoothly as possible. The replay value was pretty good, considering you could go back into any mission and attempt to get more kills and get seen much less. Debug mode only furthered its replay value. "I feel like shooting people... NO! Setting people on fire... ::inputs code:: Ah yes! That's more like it!" There's even a 2-player trick using the code, but it's hard to control and really only there to move around NPCs.
Ok, so it's got no level editor like the sequel, but that game had praticially no music at all and I think that's part of what made Tenchu beautiful - it's awesome soundtrack by Noriyuki Asakura. Coming out of the shadows to slit a guy's throat to shamisen? Priceless. It's still cool in the newer games, but the feeling's gone the second the MTV editing comes in and Naruto's voice shouts the name of the special stealth kill move. Camera and control were always problems in the world of Tenchu and this one is no different (I can only imagine the new control style on the PSP), but the story was slick and the presentation was sick. If you're into your Wrath of Heaven and Fatal Shadows and whatnot, check out where it all came from in all its epic glory.