This is golden gaming goodness! Classic Tenchu gameplay, classic Tenchu feel, it doesn't get any better for ninjas!
The other reviewer on here that said this is for Tenchu fans hit the nail on the head. I had been waiting for Forza 2 to drop, and I've been dying to get my hands on DiRT, and Bioshock looks nutty and I could have instead reserved that game, but moments after seeing this review and this game I went and bought it. It was sold out at almost every Gamestop I checked, and I found one that had a few copies left and made it there 2 minutes before they closed.
I have only played the game for 36 minutes, but its been 36 minutes of pure gaming joy, of pure gaming goodness. The production values of this game are pretty high and very slick, the intro, the music, the various screens and menus, just the overall style, very very cool. Did I mention the music? This game oozes character, fuedal japan ninja style. I only played the training mission and I'm sold, this game is going to be a huge time sink. I was sold at the title screen.
The fact is, the gamespot reviewer said you can bypass the entire level and all of the enemies and kill the main objective, but thats missing the point of the game. Its a joy to kill the enemies in this game. There are so many different ways to dispose of enemies, that you'll be stalking and taking them out one by one like you're a junky and they're crack. Ok, thats a bit of a vulgar description, but thats my take on it.
This game is for true ninjas. You will want to be the true Tenchu master and will hone your skills until you believe you're actually a ninja. Its a great feeling. The first time I took my sword to the back of a guys skull as I pitched him forward made my *&^% twitch. Plain and simple:
Facts:
1. Ninjas are mammals.
2. Ninjas fight ALL the time.
3. The purpose of the ninja is to flip out and kill people.
Word.
p.s. The graphics are tostitos. I have and play Sega Saturn games, Dreamcast games, Gamecube games, Gameboy Advance games, and a bunch of other old school games. To me good graphics are more of a total package, an overall feel and art direction that makes a game great. This is one of those games. Oh yeah, and the controls kick booty, very slick as well. An overall super slick, tight package.