Tenchu Z

Reviewed by Brian Reno
July 1, 2007

Developer: K2 LLC Publisher: From Software Website: Click Here Platform(s): XBOX 360 Players: 1 (Live 2-4, System Link 2-4) ESRB Rating: Mature

Screenshot from Tenchu Z . Courtesy of From Software. Click image to enlarge.

Tenchu Z is an action game with tons of stealth elements.  The game gives players the chance to experience turmoil in feudal Japan through the eyes of their very own ninja.  The player starts the game by making a custom character. Then your character is put under the command of Rikimaru, the chief ninja of the Goda clan.  The Odawara clan threatens the Goda clan, so your character is sent on various missions to stop the Odawara's evil plans.  As you progress through the story, your ninja unlocks new costume pieces, skills, and items that can be used both in the main story and in multi-player.  Players move about the game world by climbing walls, ceilings, or just plain sneaking around.

Tenchu Z is the fourth game in the Tenchu series.  Much of the game should be familiar to fans as Tenchu Z keeps many of the game’s elements from older titles, with several new abilities and polish.  The trademark ability of the Tenchu series, the Stealth Kill, is back with a vengeance; players can sneak up behind unsuspecting enemies and eliminate them in a variety of efficient and artistic ways.  Stealth Killing provides a very satisfying experience, especially when combined with some of the other special abilities such as leaping from buildings or running at high speeds.  Sadly, some of the button combinations are easy to trigger accidentally, which can become frustrating.  The game is still a blast to play, however, and the look and feel of the enemies and authentic scenery only adds to the beautiful atmosphere.

Fifty missions and three difficulty settings is enough variety for many, many replays.  With all the unlockable skills and costumes, and co-op or ranked versus play, there is a lot of content to keep fans coming back.  If you haven’t already, go out and grab Tenchu Z.