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Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 5 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Acquire
Genre(s): Fighting, Action
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: M (Mature)
Release Date: September 17, 1998
Summary
Tenchu is a 3rd-person ninja fighting game in which the player takes on the role of a ninja in missions requiring stealth, strategy and weapons skills. Employing unparalleled enemy artificial intelligence technology, feudal Japanese environments and a unique scoring system that rewards a player's stealth and cunning, Tenchu sets a new benchmark in the action/adventure genre. [Activision]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins Tenchu Kurenai Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
PSX Nation
A hard, gritty adventure that should be enough to hold off the "MGS" cravings until the domestic release.
Read Full Review >Gamezilla!
The simplicity of the controller functions, along with a decent soundtrack, combine to make a great game for a low price.
Read Full Review >Absolute Playstation
The game rivets you to your seat with challenging gameplay, a thought provoking storyline and non-stop suspense as you sneak your way through level after level of action and intriguing twists.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
The heart and soul of this game lies in stealth, which is splendidly conveyed through the visuals.
Read Full Review >GamePro
If you're a gamer who isn't' into twitch action, but you want something a little more intense than an RPG, step into Tenchu's dojo.
Read Full Review >All Game Guide
A brilliant and unique game that features lots of cool ninja weapons, such as throwing stars and the grappling hook, realistic Japanese scenery, stealth and patience tactics, etc. Players who like their games to be linear and planned out beforehand won't like this game; neither will the players with no patience.
Read Full Review >Games Domain
When games such as this are developed with such style and elegance as Tenchu, this relatively new style of gameplay can be incredibly effective and enjoyable.
Read Full Review >IGN
The kind of game that'll steal days of your life without you even noticing. It's absorbing, puzzling, and it's absolutely the quintessential PlayStation game. Hard-core, smart, bloody, and fun as hell.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central Platinum
Its a generation above "Nightmare Creatures" and a half generation below "MGS".
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Excels in every way that counts, provides a lot of fun, and is well worth the price of admission.
Read Full Review >TotalGames.net
One thing that really needed attention in the Japanese version of Tenchu was the over active camera that follows your character. Skipping around with stomach-turning irregularity during fights and wandering off to give a confusing partial view of you or your opponent because it couldn't deal with nearby walls, this spoiled an otherwise very enjoyable game.
Read Full Review >My Gamer
Realism in games has always been a hot issue, but Tenchu achieved the perfect mixture of realistic ninja action with accompanying elements of the fantastic.
Read Full Review >Adrenaline Vault
A few more months spent tweaking the camera, improving the AI, and correcting the inventory scheme would have resulted in a much more enjoyable experience.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.8 (out of 10) based on 5 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Everin N. gave it a9:
Even though the controls, gameplay and sound, other than ambience, were good, more levels and enemies could have been added. The game could've featured different uniforms,and "build up" stats to diversify the player's persona. Overall, I loved double jumping acroos the screen w/o touching the ground. Yes, it's possible.
Duke MS gave it a10:
WOW! No cooler Ninja game on ps than that one. The Original's the best! Really addcitive!!!!!
Anthony S. gave it a 10:
Absolutely fantastic game, even five years later, it still stands up well against its contenders. The 'instant kill' sequences are thge best part.
