Tenchu: Time of the Assassins
A PSP stealth game with revived mission editor and deceased characters.
Tenchu: Time of the Assassins, released in Japan as Tenchu Shinobi Taizen, is a 2005 action-adventure stealth game for the PlayStation Portable. Developed by K2 and published by FromSoftware in Japan and Sega in Europe, it is the first series entry not released in North America. The game notably includes a mission editor expanded from Tenchu Shinobi Gaisen and features characters from earlier Tenchu titles, including some who had died.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- K2
- Publisher
- FromSoftware (JP); Sega (EU)
- Composer
- Noriyuki Asakura
- Series
- Tenchu
- Platforms
- PlayStation Portable
- Released
- July 28, 2005 (JP); June 23, 2006 (EU)
- Genre
- Action-adventure, stealth
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The gameplay follows the standard Tenchu formula: the player controls a ninja assassin who must sneak through levels and eliminate opposition. The control scheme resembles that of the previous two Tenchu titles, but a black fog hampers the player's field of vision, making the game harder to play. Two-player gameplay is available via ad-hoc, with no online infrastructure play. Versus and co-op modes return from Wrath of Heaven. Players can use custom multiplayer maps or pre-made ones by K2 with various objectives. Multiplayer and custom missions allow the player to choose most characters from the entire Tenchu franchise, including many who were killed off in past games. The mission editor from Tenchu 2 returns with more features, letting players create story missions or custom multiplayer maps for versus and co-op modes. Maps can be saved to the memory stick, and players can share them via memory stick or upload them to fan sites. The fansite 'Tenchu Missions' hosts custom missions for both the Japanese–Asian and European versions; registered users can upload or download missions. As of December 2007, roughly 60 custom missions were available for download.
Plot
The opening cinematic shows Rikimaru, Ayame, Tesshu, and Rin slaying rival ninjas for unknown reasons. Ayame later appears when Tatsumaru challenges her. The recurring villain Onikage fights Rikimaru, and the two charge at each other as the title appears and is engulfed in flames. Each character has their own story, following the basic storyline of defending Lord Gohda and rescuing Princess Kiku but with new twists. Tesshu's story is a prequel to his Wrath of Heaven appearance, revealing how he was first employed by Zenosuke. Rin's story is a sequel to Fatal Shadows: she finds a man fleeing his burned village who dies, and she promises revenge, similar to her own village's fate. Players begin with Rikimaru, Ayame, Tesshu, and Rin; Onikage's story unlocks after completing the other four. Unlike predecessors, the game is not driven by a single linear plot but consists of short stories from each character's perspective, including Onikage. Each character has one video at the start and one at the end of their story. All characters have their own reasons for their adventures, but they all eventually encounter Onikage.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Tenchu: Time of the Assassins released?
Tenchu: Time of the Assassins was released on July 28, 2005 in Japan and on June 23, 2006 in Europe.
Who composed the music for Tenchu: Time of the Assassins?
The music for Tenchu: Time of the Assassins was composed by Noriyuki Asakura.
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