Be true ninja! Use much stealth! Kill many enemy in shadow of night! Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven is going to have would-be ronins running around in their pajamas at three in the morning!
Let's get something straight – there is nothing cooler in this world than the ninja. Sure, bounty hunters, sci-fi, and fantasy are all well and good, but nothing beats the art of sneaking through the rooftops with only a grappling hook and a katana at your side, eliminating numerous evildoers before they even know of your existence. Wrath of Heaven "simulates" this experience like no game ever before, all the while leaving untouched the zen-like gameplay formula that fans of the series have come to know and love.
A chronological sequel to Tenchu the first, which was a sequel to the misleadingly named Tenchu 2, Wrath of Heaven drops many of the failed gameplay mechanics from the second game in order to give armchair samurai a more focused (and ultimately more enjoyable) experience. Gone are the swimming, sheathing, and the ability to move bodies. Though this may seem like a poor design choice and a step backwards, it makes the game flow more smoothly than the often-clunky Tenchu 2. In fact, Wrath of Heaven will be immediately accessible to anyone who has played the original. They're that similar.
Despite the absence of any real innovation, there are still a few improvements that make this Tenchu the best yet. The graphics, while not stunning in any sense of the word, are more than passable, with very little slowdown. Character designs and environments have the mystical charm of any good anime film, and the sound work remains very enchanting. Aside from this, half the weight of any good ninja game is its style, and Tenchu 3 has this in spades – bloody, gory stealth kills are easier to do and more gracefully pulled off than ever, now rendered in 128-bit emotion engine glory. Using the gadgets of the ninja to aid you in your mission remains crucial and immensely satisfying, as you now have everything from insta-kill blowguns to sticky remote bombs at your disposal. It's more of the same, but "the same" has been tweaked and optimized for peak performance.
Tenchu does have its flaws. The fighting system is somewhat clunky, and some choices - like using the circle button as block rather than R1 - are downright inexplicable. Also, the enemies - especially bosses - seem to be dumb as a post. While AI on the level of Metal Gear Solid 2 wouldn't have been very conductive to the flow of gameplay, henchmen would often chase me across a wide-open pit of spikes, falling to their doom.
Despite a few nagging AI and control concerns, the Tenchu series has aged well, and remains the standard for all future games based on sneaking in the shadows in your pajamas, killing people with sharp things.
-George
Company Line
The newest installation in the acclaimed stealth ninja series, Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven delivers the most realistic, stealth-based, ninja-action/adventure game ever. Coming to the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven features impressive new stealth attacks, an enhanced fighting engine, new weapons and tools, larger levels, improved character animations and new multiplayer options.
Features
All-New Stealth Attacks and Enhanced Fighting Engine – Players can master new combo attacks including stealth moves and jumping attacks played out in breathtakingly detail via a new and improved fighting engine.
Multiplayer Options and Levels – Fans can play with a friend on five unique multiplayer levels in two mission modes: co-operative team-oriented missions and Hunter-Hunted death match mode where gamers and a friend can sneak up on one another as opposing ninjas. The abilities earned in single-player action can be transferred to the multiplayer games in order to strengthen attacks.
Stunningly Realistic Graphics – By taking advantage of the PlayStation 2's impressive graphical capabilities, Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven features nine large, incredibly vibrant levels with detailed lighting and weather effects as well as improved character animations.
Multiple Missions Paths – Players must complete unique mission objectives including espionage, theft and assassination. Uniquely crafted levels allow fans to determine the most efficient way to achieve mission goals. Improved enemy AI adds to the challenge, forcing players to think on their feet. In addition, each level features three unique enemy placements to keep players guessing. Multiple game endings – based on earlier decisions made in the game – keep bringing gamers back for more.
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