Tenchu: Dark Secret DS
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Aug 21, 2006
Tenchu: Dark Secret Image
Metascore
37 out of 100

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 10 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.3 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: (Also known as "Tenchu: Dark Shadow" Tenchu: Dark Secret places you in the shoes of ninja assassins charged with protecting the life of a princess. Stalk your enemies with sword in hand, plant explosive traps in the underbrush, or strike with an assortment of realistic ninja weaponry - the choice is yours. Features over 40 single-player missions and the ability to construct your own weapons and items. Prove your mettle with the metal by challenging friends to a local wireless multiplayer match. Tenchu: Dark Secret boasts three unique modes and a whole host of options to keep each match fresh and fun. Whether you're creeping through a bamboo forest to plunge a dagger into your friend's back or setting a trap to steal his precious dumplings, you're going to need a towel to wipe the sweat from your hands. Need a new bamboo trap? Short on shurikins? Just hop online. Tenchu: Dark Secret allows players to buy, sell, and trade items via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. You can choose to transact with either friends or strangers. [Nintendo]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 8 out of 10
  1. Nintendo Power
    50
    But it's a really watered-down take on sttealth gameplay, and annother disappointing installment in a once highly regarded franchise. [Oct. 2006, p.91]
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  2. GameSpot
    43
    You'd be better off staying away from this botched attempt to translate the great ninja stealth action series to the DS. Almost nothing good about Tenchu made the cut.
  3. Deeko
    40
    An awful attempt to cash in on a relatively good name. The AI is about as intelligent as a pet rock, the graphics are incredibly bland and dull, the music is quite annoying and I get to barter in REAL TIME on the INTERNET.
  4. GamesRadar
    40
    The developers opted instead for run-of-the-mill hack-and-slash game mechanics, and so they turned out a game that incorporates very little of what makes the system so enticing in the first place.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 2 out of 3
  1. YiuC.H.
    5
    Seriously, I managed to play the game till the end. I wont say this is good or bad (sitting on the fence), but rather it kept me occupied for somewhat 5 or so hours. While you are half way through the game, you will find yourself laying multiple traps, waiting for the enemy to walk pass (and hoping that they wont change their walking route in the process), as it is not possible to one hit KO an enemy while back stabbing, and using projectiles and foods are a waste of resources. Anyway, the game play is quite a monotone (even boss fighting is a mass spam of traps) and unless you like to hear the sound of bandits or ghouls flying on your traps, look elsewhere.… Expand
  2. ChrisD
    4
    Tenchu conjures to mind sneaking around to perform stealthy kills. This has none of that. It would have been a sub-par release even without being a Tenchu title, but being as it was makes it even more disappointing.… Expand
  3. DustyP.
    3
    Since "Wrath of Heaven" there hasn't really been a good Tenchu game, and this is no exception. Not really suited as a DS game (other than the fact that the title is D-ark S-ecret), most of the draw of the game -stealth- is gone since you can't move the camera. This means the only way to see where the guards are is on the bottom screen map... represented as a red arrow. So, instead of sneaking to excecute an enemy with ninja like tactics, you are chasing red arrows with some of the worst sampled audio I have ever heard. Don't be tricked into buying this like I was. Not even the most hardcore Tenchu fan would like this, even with the online trading system.… Expand