#Tenchu shadow assassins pc series

You can also jump, which is useful for getting up into the rafters or onto a roof, especially given that the grappling hook from earlier Tenchu games is not available. This is usually a helpful move, but sometimes you may end up inadvertently rolling sideways into a fire or backward off of a cliff. If you are close to cover or get spotted, you can shake the remote quickly to roll into cover or away from your enemy. Unfortunately, it's often unclear which environmental elements you can easily move through and which will impede your progress, which makes for some frustrating hang-ups. Both ninja move at a sneaking pace, which means that you'll do a lot of slowly walking between shadows (running will always attract the guards). Staying in cover is crucial, so it's aggravating when the awkward controls hinder your movements. The cleverly designed stealth meter will help you stay hidden it's an image of the moon that will shine brightly when you're exposed, cloud over if you're hidden, and is surrounded by stars that represent the positions of your enemies. The satisfyingly brutal hissatsu are fun to perform and include such classic kills as snapping an enemy's neck and eviscerating him with his own sword. These quick kills, called hissatsu, require you to follow onscreen prompts and perform the corresponding remote motions or button presses. Hiding in the clearly marked shadow areas will totally conceal you from view and let you instantly kill any enemy who comes within your reach. The gameplay consists primarily of sneaking through levels while killing or evading guards. Though you play as two different ninja, their abilities are identical. Environments are well detailed, and the musical score is an enjoyably modern interpretation of traditional Japanese themes.

There are some weird spots, notably the melodramatic voice acting and the Japanese merchant who speaks with a Cockney accent, but on the whole these cutscenes are a pillar of the generally impressive presentation. The cutscenes that tell the story are impressive, and you'll enjoy watching the detailed, fluidly animated characters play their parts in the serviceable narrative. The familiar kidnapped princess/kingdom in peril story unfolds twice, once from each ninja's perspective, and dovetails into a bizarre and surprisingly morbid ending.

#Tenchu shadow assassins pc series

Tenchu: Shadow Assassins takes place in feudal Japan and brings back two protagonists that fans of the series will recognize instantly: Rikimaru and Ayame. One of these guys won't need to pay his taxes this year. The solid visuals and stylish music can't mask the fact that Shadow Assassins is an exercise in frustration. The stilted controls and broken stealth logic not only make it hard to feel like a ninja, they also make it hard to have any fun. Although Tenchu: Shadow Assassins mimics the format of its betters reasonably well, it never actually gets it right. The best games in the Tenchu series earned their black belts with engaging stealth action that challenged players to think creatively and use a variety of cool ninja tactics.