PlayStation
A Stealth Classic with Deep Roots
Released in 2000 for the PlayStation, Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins served as a prequel to the highly acclaimed Tenchu: Stealth Assassins. Developed by Acquire and published by Activision, the game sought to expand on its predecessor’s innovative approach to stealth-based gameplay. Set in feudal Japan, it tells the origin stories of the series’ iconic protagonists, Rikimaru and Ayame, alongside a new character, Tatsumaru. Tenchu 2 was a significant step forward in terms of narrative, gameplay depth, and design ambition for the series.
Graphics: Atmospheric, but Showing Its Age
For a late-era PlayStation title, I felt that Tenchu 2 offers an impressive, atmospheric depiction of ancient Japan. Sure, the character models are smoother and slightly more detailed than the horrifically blocky designs in the first game – but it’s still an original PlayStation game. Visually, it’s a nostalgic treat, warts and all. The environments ranged from some serene-ish gardens in the opening level to a hilariously treacherous mountain pass – due only to the two-foot draw distances that plague nearly every level of the game. Most of your view during map exploration is blocked by the common fog walls found in nearly every PlayStation title of the time that contained more expansive level design. Still, the ambiance remained compelling thanks to some of the cleverer map layouts.
Tenchu 2 offers an impressive, atmospheric depiction of ancient Japan, marred by walls of fog
Controls: Stiff and Demanding
Birth of the Stealth Assassins completely refines the controls from its predecessor, but it still maintains a steep and frustrating learning curve. Even by the end of the game the controls never quite clicked with me and actions feel rather stiff. The addition of swimming and crouching mechanics added a new dimension to exploration and strategy that was sorely missing from the first game. However, still, the camera controls being so clunky led to frequently frustrating encounters where enemies spotted me all too frequently. In fact, the camera became such a chore to maneuver I eventually gave up on the stealth all together and just charged like a bull into every encounter. Unfortunately, this turned the game into more of an action situation than a stealth assassin simulation.
Sound: Immersive Traditional Soundtrack
Surprisingly, the game’s soundtrack is a standout feature, blending traditional Japanese instruments with tense, atmospheric tones that complement the stealth-leaning gameplay. The voice acting is naturally something that is incredibly dated and below the standards of modern games, however, it still helped deliver the narrative effectively and it’s much preferred over no voice acting at all. The environmental sounds, from the soft rustling of leaves to distant enemy footsteps, all aided in enhancing the tension, making me keenly aware of my surroundings. I felt it was better executed, like most everything else, than in the first game.
Replayability: Endless Opportunities for Mastery
Tenchu 2 shines when it comes to replay value. While I didn’t play the game more than my one time with Rikimaru, you can tackle all the missions in different ways, while experimenting with routes and strategies for a higher ranking. There are also two other characters you can play the game with, each offering their own playstyle. Additionally, and maybe I should have spent time with it, but the inclusion of a mission editor is cool. The editor allows you to create custom scenarios, extending the game’s lifespan significantly. For those that enjoy more of a challenge, unlockable difficulty modes further incentivized multiple playthroughs.
Final Verdict: Simply A Classic Ninja Game with Some Glaring Flaws
So, despite the dated visuals and the jarring camera issues, Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins remains a beloved entry in the stealth genre as far as I’m concerned. Its engaging story, classic gameplay, and some innovative features for the time set it apart as a unique experience for fans of these kind of tactical action games. For those players that are willing to overlook the inherent frustrations from an old game, Tenchu 2 is definitely worth sharpening the old blade for.
