Tenchu: Time of the Assassins

Last updated
Tenchu: Time of the Assassins
Tenchu Time of the Assassins.jpg
Developer(s) K2 LLC
Publisher(s)
Composer(s) Noriyuki Asakura
Series Tenchu
Platform(s) PlayStation Portable
Release
  • JP: July 28, 2005
  • EU: June 23, 2006
Genre(s) Action-adventure, stealth
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Tenchu: Time of the Assassins [lower-alpha 1] (published in Japan as "Tenchu Shinobi Taizen") is an action-adventure stealth video game developed by K2 LLC and published by FromSoftware in Japan and Sega in Europe for the PlayStation Portable in 2005. This marks the first game in the series not to be released in North America.

Contents

The game features many characters from previous Tenchu games, including some deceased from previous titles. Time of the Assassins includes a "buffed up" mission editor, first introduced in Tenchu Shinobi Gaisen.

Gameplay

The gameplay is like a standard Tenchu title. The player takes control of a skilled ninja assassin and sneak your way through the levels, while eliminating any opposition along the way. The game has a similar control scheme to the previous two Tenchu titles, but the game is harder to play due to the player's field of vision being hampered by a black fog.

The game also features two-player gameplay via ad-hoc, however there is no online infrastructure play in the game. Players can engage in versus and co-op modes, originally from Wrath of Heaven. Multiplayer maps that have been created can be played, as well as some pre-made ones by K2 with various objectives. Playing multiplayer or custom missions now allows the player choose most of the character from the entire Tenchu franchise thus far, including many characters who were killed off in past games.

The game revives the mission editor from Tenchu 2, now returning with even more features. Players can create their own Story Missions, or make custom multiplayer maps which the Versus and Co-op game modes can be played on. Players can save as many maps as they wanted provided they have enough memory stick space. Players can also share maps via memory stick or by uploading them to various fan sites.

One of the more prominent fansites named 'Tenchu Missions' hosts custom missions built for both the Japanese–Asian and European versions of the game. Anyone who has registered and logged in at the website can be able to either upload custom missions of their own to share with other members or download user created missions directly to their memory sticks. As of December 2007 there are roughly 60 custom missions available for download.

Plot

The opening cinematic shows Rikimaru, Ayame, Tesshu (Wrath of Heaven), and Rin (Fatal Shadows) slaying rival ninjas for unknown reasons. Ayame appears again when Tatsumaru ( Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins , Wrath of Heaven) appears and challenges Ayame. The recurring villain Onikage appears fighting Rikimaru and the two charge for each other, right before the game's title appears and gets engulfed in flames.

Each character has their own story, which like previous games, follows the basic story-line (defending Lord Gohda and rescuing Princess Kiku) but with new twists. Whereas with Tesshu, his story is a prequel of his Wrath of Heaven appearance, and the player finds out how he was first employed by Zenosuke. Rin's story is a sequel to Fatal Shadows, she finds a man fleeing from his burned down village, where he passes away, Rin promises to get revenge, a lot like what happened to her village. Players can play as Rikimaru, Ayame, Tesshu and Rin from the beginning, and Onikage's story can be unlocked upon the other four characters' story mode completion.

Unlike its predecessors, Time of the Assassins is not driven by a single linear plot, but is actually composed of short stories from the views of each of the characters (including Onikage). Each character has one video that plays as their story begins and one when their story ends. The characters each have their own reasons for embarking on the adventures depicted, yet they all eventually end up encountering Onikage.

Reception

Tenchu: Time of the Assassins received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator GameRankings. [1]

Notes

  1. ↑ Tenchu Shinobi Taizen (天誅 忍大全, Tenchū Shinobi Taizen, lit. "Divine Retribution: Shinobi Chronicles")

Related Research Articles

A stealth game is a type of video game in which the player primarily uses stealth to avoid or overcome opponents. Games in the genre typically allow the player to remain undetected by hiding, sneaking, or using disguises. Some games allow the player to choose between a stealthy approach or directly attacking antagonists, but rewarding the player for greater use of stealth. The genre has employed espionage, counter-terrorism, and rogue themes, with protagonists that are special forces operatives, special agents, secret agents, thieves, ninjas, or assassins. Some games have also combined stealth elements with other genres, such as first-person shooters and also platformers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Replay value</span> Potential of a video game or other media product for replay after its first completion

Replay value is the potential of a video game or other media products for continued play value after its first completion. Factors that can influence perceived replay value include the game's extra characters, secrets and alternate endings. The replay value of a game may also be based entirely on the individual's tastes. A player might enjoy repeating a game because of the music, graphics, gameplay or because of product loyalty. Dynamic environments, challenging AI, a wide variety of ways to accomplish tasks, and a rich array of assets could result in a high replay value.

TKO Software was a video game developer founded in 2002 in Santa Cruz, California, United States by Jacob Hawley and Michael Songy.

<i>Tenchu</i> Video game series

Tenchu is an action-adventure stealth video game series, originally developed by Japanese developer Acquire, where the player assumes the role of a ninja in 16th-century Japan. The title in Japanese literally translates in English as "Divine Retribution", with 天 (ten) meaning heaven and 誅 (chū) meaning death penalty.

<i>Tenchu: Stealth Assassins</i> 1998 video game

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins is a 1998 stealth video game developed by Acquire for the PlayStation. The debut entry in the Tenchu series, it was published in Japan by Sony Music Entertainment Japan, and by Activision in the West. Following Rikimaru and Ayame of the Azuma ninja clan as they complete missions for their employer Lord Gohda in Sengoku-era Japan, the gameplay involves the player guiding their chosen character through missions, the aim being to remain undetected while either avoiding or quietly killing enemies.

<i>Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins</i> 2000 video game

Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins is a 2000 stealth video game developed by Acquire for the PlayStation. The second entry in the Tenchu series, it was published in the West by Activision and in Japan by Acquire. Tenchu 2 is a prequel to Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (1998), following the early lives of Azuma ninja Rikimaru and Ayame as they and their fellow Tatsumaru must confront a militant force called the Burning Dawn. Gameplay follows the chosen protagonist as they complete missions, the goal being to remain undetected and either avoid or silently kill enemies.

<i>Tenchu: Dark Secret</i> 2006 video game

Tenchu: Dark Secret is an action-adventure stealth video game developed by Polygon Magic and published by FromSoftware in Japan and Nintendo worldwide for the Nintendo DS in 2006. It is also the first game in the Tenchu series to be released for the Nintendo system and not to have a Mature rating from the ESRB.

<i>Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven</i> 2003 action-adventure stealth video game

Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is an action-adventure stealth video game developed by K2 and published by Activision for the PlayStation 2 in 2003. FromSoftware published the game in Japan as Tenchu 3. It was later ported to the Xbox in 2004 under the title Tenchu: Return from Darkness and to the PlayStation Portable in 2009 by FromSoftware under the title Tenchu 3 Portable.

<i>Tenchu: Fatal Shadows</i> 2004 video game

Tenchu: Fatal Shadows is an action-adventure stealth video game developed by K2 LLC and published by FromSoftware in Japan and Sega in North America and Europe for the PlayStation 2 in 2004. The PlayStation Portable version of the game, Tenchu Kurenai Portable, was released in Japan in 2010.

<i>Tenchu Z</i> 2006 video game

Tenchu Z is an action-adventure stealth video game developed by K2 LLC and published by FromSoftware in Japan and Microsoft Game Studios worldwide for the Xbox 360 in 2006.

<i>Shinobido: Way of the Ninja</i> 2005 video game

Shinobido: Way of the Ninja is a stealth video game developed by Acquire and released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005.

<i>Tenchu: Shadow Assassins</i> 2008 video game

Tenchu: Shadow Assassins is a stealth game developed by Acquire and published by FromSoftware in Japan and Ubisoft worldwide for the Wii in 2008 and the PlayStation Portable in 2009.

<i>Assassins Creed: Brotherhood</i> 2010 video game

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is a 2010 action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the third major installment in the Assassin's Creed series, and the second chapter in the "Ezio Trilogy", as a direct sequel to 2009's Assassin's Creed II. The game was first released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in November and December 2010 and was later made available on Microsoft Windows in March and June 2011. A remastered version of Brotherhood, along with Assassins's Creed II and its sequel, Assassin's Creed: Revelations, was released as part of The Ezio Collection compilation for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on November 15, 2016, and for the Nintendo Switch on February 17, 2022.

Claudio Moneta, at the registry office Claudio Andrea Moneta, is an Italian actor, dubber and dubbing director. He contributed to voicing characters in animation, video games, sitcoms, and more. He is very well known for providing the voice of the title character in the Italian language version of the Nickelodeon animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. He is also known for voicing Shadow the Hedgehog in the Sonic franchise, Kakashi Hatake in Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden, and Son Goku in Dragon Ball Super. The role of Kakashi Hatake was temporarily filled by fellow voice actor Gianluca Iacono between 2010 and 2011, due to a motorbike incident suffered by Moneta. He was also replaced in Mass Effect 2 because of that accident as well.

<i>Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag</i> 2013 video game

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is a 2013 action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the sixth major installment in the Assassin's Creed series. Its historical timeframe precedes that of Assassin's Creed III (2012), but its modern-day sequences succeed III's own. Black Flag was originally released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U in October 2013 and a month later for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. It was later ported to the Nintendo Switch as part of The Rebel Collection alongside Assassin's Creed Rogue in December 2019. The game was released for Google Stadia in September 2021.

<i>Assassins Creed Unity</i> 2014 video game

Assassin's Creed Unity is an action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It was released in November 2014 for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One, and in December 2020 for Stadia. It is the eighth major installment in the Assassin's Creed series, and the successor to 2013's Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It also has ties to Assassin's Creed Rogue, which was released for the previous generation consoles on the same day as Unity.

<i>Armored Warfare</i> 2015 video game

Armored Warfare is a free-to-play vehicular combat video game developed by Mail.ru and published by My.Games for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X. The game features combat vehicles from the 1950s through modern day and includes destructible environments as well as player vs. environment and player vs. player gameplay. The game was originally in development by Obsidian Entertainment, who worked on the game until being dropped in 2017.

<i>Assassins Creed Rogue</i> 2014 video game

Assassin's Creed Rogue is a 2014 action-adventure video game developed by Ubisoft Sofia and published by Ubisoft. It is the seventh major installment in the Assassin's Creed series, and is set between 2013's Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and 2012's Assassin's Creed III. It also has ties to Assassin's Creed Unity, which was released on the same day as Rogue. It is the last Assassin's Creed game to be developed for the seventh generation of consoles, being released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in November 2014 and for Windows in March 2015. A remastered version of the game was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in March 2018. It was also released on the Nintendo Switch as part of The Rebel Collection alongside Black Flag in December 2019 and for Google Stadia in October 2021.

<i>Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice</i> 2019 video game

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a 2019 action-adventure game developed by FromSoftware. It was released in Japan by FromSoftware and internationally by Activision for the PlayStation 4, Windows and Xbox One in March 2019 and for Stadia in October 2020.

<i>Watch Dogs: Legion</i> 2020 video game

Watch Dogs: Legion is a 2020 action-adventure game developed by Ubisoft Toronto and published by Ubisoft. The game is the sequel to 2016's Watch Dogs 2 and the third installment in the Watch Dogs series. Set within a fictionalised representation of a futuristic, dystopian London, the game's story follows the hacker syndicate DedSec as they seek to clear their names after being framed for a series of terrorist bombings. While searching for the true culprits, DedSec also attempt to liberate London's citizens from the control of Albion, an oppressive private military company that has turned the city into a surveillance state following the bombings.

References

  1. 1 2 "Tenchu: Time of the Assassins for PlayStation Portable". GameRankings. Archived from the original on September 25, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  2. ↑ Edge staff (August 2006). "Tenchu: Time of the Assassins". Edge . No. 165. p. 92.
  3. ↑ Gibson, Ellie (July 5, 2006). "Tenchu: Time of the Assassins Review". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Tenchu: Time of the Assassins". GamesMaster : 81. September 2006.
  5. ↑ "Tenchu: Time of the Assassins". Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine : 94. August 2006.
  6. ↑ Jastrzab, Jeremy (July 6, 2006). "Tenchu: Time of the Assassins Review". PALGN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Tenchu: Time of the Assassins". Play (142): 100. August 2006.
  8. ↑ PSM2 Staff (August 2006). "Review: Tenchu: Time of the Assassins". PSM2 : 78. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2015.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ↑ Young, Andy (July 17, 2006). "Tenchu: Time of the Assassins Review". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  10. ↑ Fish, Eliot (August 26, 2006). "Tenchu: Time of the Assassins". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.