Tenchu: Fatal Shadows

by Sega

Product Features

• Kill multiple enemies at once with new and improved stealth kill combos
• Play as either Ayame or Rin, collecting weapons and items for more powerful attacks and defense
• Avoid detection by moving bodies and swim under the cover of water out of enemy site
• Three gameplay modes, 18 levels, refined gameplay mechanics and tons of unlockables

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007GDMFC
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: February 15, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,648 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com

Millions of years ago, the age of the ninja came to a close when a meteor hit the Earth, altering the planet's climate. Unable to adapt to these changes, the ninjas gradually became extinct. No, wait…that was the dinosaurs. In any case, my point is that everything must evolve or eventually die off. Sadly, I'm afraid that the Tenchu franchise, which once helped define the stealth genre on the original PlayStation, has fallen desperately behind the times.

Although Tenchu is once again in the hands of a new publisher (Sega) and new developer (From Software), the end product adheres strictly to the well-worn formula developed by the series. Body-dragging is back from Tenchu 2, and after pulling out our old copy of that game I'd say you'd be hard-pressed to find any major differences between the basic moveset of Tenchu 2 and Fatal Shadows.

That's not to say that there isn't some fun to be had here. Being a ninja is just plain cool, and the thrill of grappling from rooftop to rooftop, using a host of ninja items, and pulling off nicely animated stealth kills (of which there are a ton to unlock) will always be there. However, I'm a little disappointed that Tenchu isn't pushing the genre forward like Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid have.

Concept:
Another entry in the long-running ninja stealth series

Graphics:
Better character models than the last iteration, but nothing spectacular

Sound:
Nice, tasteful ambient score with a Japanese folk music flavor

Playability:
The combat is simplistic, but effective – if you can overlook the terrible camera

Entertainment:
Being a shadow warrior still has its charms, but Tenchu badly needs an overhaul

Replay:
Moderate

Rated: 7 out of 10
Editor: Matt Helgeson
Issue: March 2005

2nd Opinion:
Ever since the original Tenchu, I have been waiting patiently for this series to move forward, and unfortunately Fatal Shadows does little new and can be summed simply as just more of the same. Not that it's a bad thing. It's just the series could be so much more than navigating a simple environment, waiting for an opportune moment, and dealing out a stealth kill. Splinter Cell (among others) has moved the stealth genre forward, but Tenchu is still living in the past in both the gameplay and graphics departments. The environments are drab, and the AI is extremely poor at times. For example, in one level I would jump into the water when I was spotted, and the ninjas tracking me down would react by following me into the drink only to discover they couldn't swim and instantly drowned. Who knew? Ninjas can't swim. Fatal Shadows does manage to tread water, but that's about it.

Rated: 6.75 out of 10
Editor: Andy McNamara


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Product Description

Tenchu: Fatal Shadows revives the classic stealth action of Tehcnu with incredible new graphics, gameplay and an intense new storyline. The deadly ninja called Ayame travelled the land in search of her mentor when she stumbles across a small village that's been slaughtered. The only suvivor is another ninja girl named Rin, and together they'll use their talents to find the reason for this hideous crime.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Fans, February 22, 2005

By 

J. Leigh "jleigh7" (chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Tenchu: Fatal Shadows (Video Game)

If you are fan of the series then it's worth buying.
If you have never played the series before, play the original Tenchu for PS1 before playing any of the others in the series. If you are however considering THIS game and have never played the series before, play Tenchu Wrath of Heaven which should be at great discount now.

Pros:
- Game still gets adrenaline going.
- Fans of Tenchu series will like this as an add-on for the series.
- Story appears to be told from 2 points of view like in the film Rashomon.
- In easy level, if you die you can continue immediately where you left off.
- AI does appear slightly improved. E.g. In a botched stealth kill I landed in front of the enemy and got my throat slit and died instantly. Bosses appear to be more difficult too. You can't simply stand and block indefinitely anymore, they have special moves to counter blocks.
- I played this game initially in the most difficult level thinking it would be a breeze after having played all the other Tenchus. Nope. Had to go back down to Easy level to survive.

Cons:
- Non fans will find this game dated- especially having played Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell. Just remember that the original Tenchu came out roughly at the same time as Metal Gear so it is one of the pioneers in the field- which is why it has such a strong, but niche, following.
- Camera is still as difficult as previous Tenchus- but fans will have no problems. Non fans will probably want to throw their controller at the screen.
- Models of characters seem rather chunky even for PS2.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This game stealth killed it way into my heart <3, March 12, 2005

By 

Ren (Blast) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Tenchu: Fatal Shadows (Video Game)

People have been waiting for the next major Tenchu game since Wrath of Heaven. And it seems that Activision had left it in the hands on Sega to continue the series. Since Sega's line of game never let me down before, I was certain this game would rock!

Once I got my copy(and the awesome T-shirt) I was hooked! Even though the game takes place before Wrath of Heaven, it still reeled me in! Straying away from the supernatural evils of Tenrai and crew, and before Rikimaru made his return to the world of slice and dice, we have Ayame and a new character named Rin.

Ayame is still the same butt kicking chick as always, and still has some memorable one liners in her disposal And the new character Rin is one spunky ninja! And she's more physical than Ayame with her claw knuckles! Awesome! She even causes more damage on the enemy than Ayame OoO Amazing! And here I thought she would cause less damage than Ayame, or even Rikimaru for that matter.

The game still has the same old style of the previous Tenchu games, so veterans like myself should have no problem with it. Like other reviewers, I gotta agree that non-fans should keep away as that camera will get them frustrated. Plus the combat takes patience and timing to pull off. The stealth kills(like always) are a test of patience and timing, and the kills are awesome in this game. You can even see the skull shatter through a x-ray screen during certain stealth kills!

The A.I. sadly hasen't changed, the enemies are still dumb as ever to realize you're still around, even though you've been spotted over 4 times and you ran around the corner to hide. However, I gotta say the enemies are alot more aggressive this time around. Whenever they have you trapped in a corner, you barely can escape! Previous Tenchu games, the enemy or enemies would wait till you get up and ready to keep going. Avoid gang ups this time! You'll be done for!

What I also like about the game is that you can learn new techniques from picking up various scrolls from stealth kills. I like that, since you'll get rewarded for steath killing, fans will do more stealth killing instead of foolishly saying "screw this" and getting up close and personal. Gotta agree, we all get tired of getting THUG as a ranking.

The voices are good, Ayame and Rin sound convincing. But I miss the cheesy voice acting of WOH. I miss hearing enemies say funny stuff when they die like "My life....I see it passing by UGHHHH" or "I shall be back....in another form! Ughhhh" LOL But this game has new wimpier voices for the guards, and sexy deep tone Geishas who pack a serious punch.

All in all, this game rocks! It's missing the fun multiplayer missions of WOH, and another hilarious assassion of Echigoya(just kidding) but the story and crazy ninja action makes up for it! I recommended this game, for any hardcore Tenchu fan.

Instead of dishonoring the series, Sega has defined it. Way to go Sega!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard but Fair. Same old, but Fun., February 27, 2005

By 

David Skipper "Superman" (Memphis TN) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Tenchu: Fatal Shadows (Video Game)

This is for fans, me being one of them I love it. The producers did one thing right that the others failed to mention. This game is harder than the rest. {Cept maby 2} Definately harder than WOH at least, before the demon,spirit junk that appeared later in that game. I was overjoyed when I finished the first stage with a novice title. {I always got grandmaster in WOH} Therefore I was compelled to show this game who's boss. {Since they obviously have no idea who their dealing with} Its been awhile since I've had competition in games, I'm glad its come back in this last Tenchu entry.