Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Release Date - February 26, 1998 (JP)

Developer - Acquire

Publisher - Sony Music Entertainment Japan

Platform - PlayStation

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins holds the honour of being something of a pioneer in the world of video games. Not only is it one of a trio of 1998 games that are credited with popularising the stealth genre in the modern gaming era (the other two being the also extremely well respected Metal Gear: Solid and Thief: The Dark Project), it also was the game that launched the team of Acquire into the gaming world.

In what would become the first in a franchise of games, Tenchu takes the name from a Japanese term meaning ‘divine punishment’. Set in Sengoku era Japan, the country is in a state of near constant civil war lasting from the 1400s to the early 1600s. In the midst of the bloodshed and chaos, the player will take on the role of being a ninja working for a mysterious ninja clan tasked with assassinating high value targets. The story begins with a fairly grounded beginning, taking out rich and powerful figures such as merchants or generals. Eventually however the story takes a turn for the more surreal as supernatural elements are introduced.

Strike from the shadows and do your best to remain undetected. Stylish effects like this blood splatter on the tree adds to the cinematic feel!

(All screens taken from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Y58nxFNJA)

The Sengoku era is perfectly captured with some consistent art direction focused around feudal Japan and Japanese myth, along with a beautiful soundtrack that mixes both traditional Japanese instruments and more modern sounding tracks to emphasise and compliment the action.

The action takes place in a stealthy manner, and while this may seem par for the course now, in 1998 gamers were more accustomed to ninja games being action packed affairs with titles like Shinobi (1987) and Ninja Gaiden (1988) and their sequels being two of the more popular examples of the theme.

Much like the 1998 stealth-em-up Metal Gear: Solid, you can hide behind walls to see who’s coming around corners.

Players will take control of one of two ninja; Rikimaru and Ayame. Both characters play almost identically, with similar movesets and abilities, but each have their own distinct personality. Rikimaru takes on the role of an honourable, humble ninja, doing his job with a workmanlike efficiency and respect for his targets. Ayame by comparison is quite brash and often is flinging insults at her opponents before dispatching of them.

The game is mission-based, and each missions starts with a narrated mission briefing providing details on the objectives. Players then choose their equipment for the mission, although you can only carry a certain amount of items, so might need to make some tough choices. Items include things like health potions, smoke bombs and the expected poison; each item may be better suited to various missions, so choosing the right ones can mean the difference between success or failure. One tool that will be a constant is the ninja’s grappling hook! This can be used to traverse the game world to literally and figuratively get the drop on your enemies. It makes the 3D nature of the game all the more important, having to think vertically instead of just across one plane. The feeling of moving about with the grappling hook and stalking your targets from the rooftops is a sublime experience, especially when you can take someone out silently and disappear back into the shadows without anyone spotting you.

Let’s go shopping! Using the right items at the right time is important for having the most efficient run.

The missions will take you to a variety of locations across Japan, from quiet villages to the docksides and even mountain hide-aways. Each location will call for different techniques and challenges, keeping the game fresh to the very end. In each location you’ll also have a boss encounter, usually doing away with the stealth in favour of an exciting showdown!

The game really flexes the PlayStation’s 3D and lighting abilities. Locations are varied and fun.

Once a mission has been successfully completed you’ll receive a ranking. The ranking will be based on criteria such how many times you were spotted by enemies, if any of your victims’ bodies were discovered and if you accidentally (or otherwise) killed any civilians. There’s a lot of incentive to aim for the highest rank in each level, with special rewards being handed out for the top ratings!

Use the shadows to conceal yourself before striking. You can even climb up a lot of buildings and walls to avoid being seen on the ground.

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins was the first project for Acquire, and quite an ambitious task for a first go around. The development began in 1996, and was seen as a unique proposition for the time; a 3D stealth based game was something not really seen before. By the time the game had been completed, the title was thought to have been too niche by Sony. Sony decided that they would not release the game outside of Japan, thinking it wouldn’t appeal to the wider public due to the stealth focus and setting of feudal Japan. The western release was eventually saved when publisher Activision saw the game and was rightfully impressed. They decided to take a risk and become the publisher for Tenchu: Stealth Assassins in the US and other markets, a risk that would pay off. The game would go on to sell 1.4 million copies worldwide, with only around 250,000 of those units being sold in Japan! 

The game is now fondly remembered as a pioneer of the stealth genre, and the father of the Tenchu franchise. The Tenchu games would see a further eight releases with a combined sales estimate of ten million units worldwide! Truly something of a surprise hit, and one of the cornerstones of the modern stealth genre.

1998 was a great year for stealth games, with Tenchu being among the three elite titles that would become icons of the genre.