Tenchu Z

Written by Troy Matsumiya  on May 30, 2007

Final Glimpse: Because you can never get enough of sneaky ninjas.

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Tenchu Z is the latest in a string of formerly Japanese-exclusive titles that are making their way across the Pacific Ц and stealth lovers couldn't be happier. Originally launched in Japan last October as Tenchu Senran, Tenchu Z is the fifth title in the long-running PlayStation series that helped give birth to the stealth genre (before you Metal Gear Solid fans start writing angry letters, you may be interested to know that Tenchu debuted several months before Snake and Co.).

Unlike previous editions, however, you won't be able to play as Rikimaru or Ayame. Instead you will create your very own ninja by choosing from a male or female character, and then customize their appearance by adjusting hair styles, facial features, tattoos, clothes, hats, shoes, weapon sheathes and other accessories so you can safely blend in with the crowd undetected. The final touches are distributing skill points between your attack power, health and speed. Once your character is created, you must then create a partner who will automatically assume the opposite sex of your main character.

Gameplay looks and feels similar to earlier editions with a heavy emphasis on stealth over combat. The familiar enemy proximity display and a Thief/Splinter Cell-like light meter indicating how visible you are both return, but here's hoping the franchise's history of awkward cameras, dumb enemy AI and various technical and design problems will be killed like a hapless guard caught loitering in the shadows. And when we say it looks like previous versions, we reallymean it. Tenchu Z isn't exactly a graphical powerhouse so don't expect Splinter Cell-like visuals; in fact, it looks very much like a PS2 game. However, good gameplay is always preferable to good graphics so let's hope the final product delivers on that front.

You will be able to tackle the 50+ missions in a variety of ways thanks to the open maps and your trusty grappling hook, which lets you climb up onto the rooftops and walk around undetected. Like all stealth games, you will have to avoid being seen or heard as you sneak around killing enemies. However, in Tenchu Z you will also have to avoid being smelt Ц that's right, your stinky b.o. can alert enemies to your presence (not to mention annoy your roommates and co-workers). Specifically, you will pick up foul odors if you get soaked with enemy blood or decide to take a nice refreshing dip in a cesspool. If this happens, you will need to clean up in water or douse yourself with a handy bottle of ninja cologne (High Karate, naturally).



You will be able to perform a ton of context-sensitive stealth kills that vary depending on how you approach your victims. For example, sneaking up behind enemies with your sword drawn will trigger a different kill than if you use your bare hands; likewise, attacking from above, below, or out of a roll will result in unique but oh so cool kills that would warm the heart of any Mortal Kombat fan, including a simple stab in the chest, slitting throats, ripping off arms and ramming your sword into skulls like a dipstick. Yummy.

If you're really careful and can quietly approach a bunch of enemies, you may be able to perform a cool combo and stealth kill all of them at once. Nice.

Similar to the Hitman series, you will also be able to temporarily assume your victim's identity with the new Impersonation skill, which will let you steal their clothes and even their face. Come on baby, there's a whole lotta face stealin' going on.

Your performance will be graded at the end of each level based on factors like how many stealth kills you performed, how many times you were detected, what difficulty level you're playing and even how you kill bosses. The higher your score, the more gold you'll receive which you can use to buy new items, weapons, clothes, accessories, combo attacks and special abilities like disappearing in a puff of smoke or turning invisible. Weapons include your trusty sword, shurikens, smoke bombs, explosive darts and grenades.

Perhaps the most exciting news is that the game will support online four-player co-op. That's right, you and three friends will be able to go ninja style together in some 15th century butt-kicking. How sweet is that?