Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is technically Tenchu 3, and this series has been the first to use stealth elements in a game. We have seen to where that led, MGS, Thief and Splinter Cell followed and these games have created a genre on its own. Being a huge fan of stealth games ever since playing the first Metal Gear Solid, I finally got around to picking this one up. There are 2 campaigns to start off with, and a third one to play after having completed the first 2, Rikimaru's and Ayame's campaign. Belonging to Gohda's elite ninja's, in both starting campaigns you have a series of missions to complete, using superior stealth and items you collect and unlock throughout the game. As with any stealth game, the whole idea behind it is to not get spotted. That's easeir said than done, while in the first missions most enemies are stupidly looking the other way with theior backs turned to the corner, in later missions you have to take out stronger enemies that are also following patterns that are difficult in the sense that you'll find yourself oberserving them for a few minutes before you take the gamble to sneak up behind them. Only, more often than not you have to use certain items to take them out safely, and as you have tons of items to choose from, but can only select 6 types, chances are that you did not bring the item you needed. In that case you have to hope they do not spot you, but in most cases they will, and while fighting one-on-one battles is not extremely hard, later in the game you will get spotted more, and you will be consuming more health potions. So save them up, it will come in handy. But is there really a need to stealth kill every enemy? Yes, there is. If you stealth kill 9 you obtain new special powers, from blocking attacks to run-up-the-wall attacks, most of which you will forget to use, but can come in handy from time to time. Also at the end of every mission you are awarded a rank, and the Grand Master rank gives you one extra special item, of which most are incredibly useful. The stealth part is deep, and while controls are easy to figure out (and the camera annoying) the game gives you the feeling every enemy is a new challenge, and it will take you a while before you have figured out the best way to approach certain situations. In that sense Tenchu: WoH is very much a trial and error game, prepare to die a lot and start mission all over. The fact there is no quick save and you have to finish a mission in one run makes it a little more difficult, but all the more fun. To add an extra dimension of replayability each mission is available in 3 different lay-outs, with enemies on different spots. A small noteworthy annoyance are the pitfalls. Often you will not spot them, due to the crappy camera and to fall is to die. It is bearable to get killed buy enemies, but not when you constantly fall in pits. Other than that the gameplay is easy, but outstanding, and it is accompanied by a great Oriental atmosphere, great character models for Rikimaru, Ayame and Tessai (the 3rd character) and lively enemies, even though they act totally predictable. Sound is OK, for the msot part, even though the Japanese voice acting is pretty weak, all one-liners and muscle talk. The 'telling voice' is good however, but I recommend you to stick with the English dialogue. The music is pretty generic unfortunately, and seeing as it might takw you over 30 minutes to finish a certain mission, it will get annoying. All in all this is a great stealth game that shines because it has no complex control schemes to memorize, apart from the special moves. The atmosphere is great, the finishing moves stunning and the story, while you'll have a hard time keeping track of it, actually pretty good. If you haven't already played this game, you should, trying to finish every mission acquiring the Grand Master rank is addicting.
i have to start by saying wrath of heaven is a good game, it can be frustrating at times but deffinatly addictive. it can prove to be quite difficult at times especially near the begining of the game for first time pl... Read Full Review
I paid: $30 I would pay: $40 Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is pretty much exactly like Tenchu on the PSX. The graphics are better, there are more abilities and weapons, and a new character, but it's pretty much the same t... Read Full Review
