Tenchu Z

by Microsoft

Product Features

• Experience enhanced ninja play with the Ki meter
• Enlist the help of fellow ninjas
• Master the new stealth kill system

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000NNFJQY
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: June 12, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,147 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #36 in Video Games > Xbox 360 > Adventure
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Tenchu Z

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not up to the Tenchu Standard, July 21, 2007

By 

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

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tenchu Z (Video Game)

I have played all the Tenchu games.
The two shining moments of the franchise are when it was originally released (Tenchu Stealth Assassins) and when it first appeared on the PS2 (Tench Wrath of Heaven).

Pros:
- The graphics and motion capture are improved.
- There is a greater degree of customizability.
- For a Tenchu fan, the fact that Tenchu lives on the next-gen platform is a plus.

Cons:

- Some reviewers have said that the game is repetitive. Others have countered by saying that a game like God of War or Metal Gear Solid is repetitive. The reason Tenchu Z feels so much more repetitive is because there is excessive reuse of locales, whereas in God of War for example, the locales are different with each new level. There is no reason for this, other than lack of time or, more likely budget- because if you look at every other Tenchu game, there has never been a repeated locale in a story thread. In this game you play through the same village, castle, whatever several times. After the 2nd time you've just about had enough.

- One of the things that made the original Tenchu game so interesting and challenging was that the enemies' ninjas would also hang out on the roofs. In this game, staying on the roof and crouching generally means that no one can reach you. None of the characters seem to climb them, even low roofs.

- There is no notion of a boss after each level. This is sad because the boss was yet another element that made the other Tenchus interesting.

As a fan I am glad that Tenchu lives on in the next-gen platform. But I feel somewhat cheated by Tenchu Z's lack of content as compared to previous Tenchus.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wow.....* bows, June 13, 2007

By 

Cannon Bowers "poashi" (golden, co United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Tenchu Z (Video Game)

Im a fan of the whole Tenchu series, Ive been there since the 1st release day of the original on PSX. I originally picked it up not really knowing what to expect, especially since it didnt have much attention from the critics. It became an instant favorite. Its never been huge with critics despite is innovative and groundbreaking gameplay- it was the first stealth based game, But I guess thats how ninjas roll, incredible and unnoticed... the way they strive to be.
Ive played all the Tenchus many many many times through. I can honestly say without a single doubt this is the best. The Tenchu group has removed alot of the old pestering issues and this time around its very slick.

For those of you who have never played tenchu its a stealth based game, and not a tom clancy limited controll sneaking around in a linear dark corridor stealth game - you play the role of a ninja. Tenchu Z by far has blown the world of steath based gaming (as it usually does), scent, sight, and sound are the elements involved. you stand on a roof and if Your shadow is cast where the enemy can see he will notice if you move. You get too bloody the enemy can smell you.. the dogs can always smell you. As your moving around you have a sound gauge as to exactly how loud you are, which is sensitive to the surroudings. In other words u step in water splish splash, you walk on leaves crInch crunch, you walk on loose boards creak creak, you run fast you hear pitter patter and so on. all of these things are balanced well with swift control of character, usefull items, and special abilities.

As with the prior games every stage is replayable. Staying unseen will always yeild the best results and points. Points are now transfered into money. Tenchu Z has added a character customization which to say the least is......impressive. Hundreds of items, accessories, hairstyles and clothing that has been sectioned to each body part.

One thing im RELISHING in is theyve gone and remade some of the original levels. newer snazzy and fun!

As far as the traditional scoring goes id say it does pretty well.

Graphics- yes its on the 360 ... doesnt look fall out of your chair drooling like mad eyes bleeding great, but its waaaaay better than PS2 graphics.

Sound- this one is a no brainer its a comprehensive stealth game, sound effects are like another set of eyes- tenchu has never lacked in this area. music during movies n scenes are well done crisp and fitting. durign gameplay music is simplified and quiet so u can concentrate on you surroudings. When a fight breaks out its fast paced and again.. fitting. As it should be.

Gameplay-Tenchu Z has patched up some older serious fighting problems with new moves and slicker controls.. that is, if your so bad at being sneaky you get stuck in a fight. Otherwise, controls are smooth and easy to get down. Multiple styles of stealth kills and creative options in doing so. Camera is fully controllable even in weird corners n such...Again this is another vital thing in a stealth game - sight.

Replay Value- Well now... all 50 some levels are replayable with different difficulties, random hidden items, custom character ceation and advancement,unlockable skills, items, abilities, and clothing. System link with a few friends and lets not forget it all can go online as well... it will keep you busy for quite some time.





So if I could sum it up in one word.. itd be as I said in my title wow....*bows*

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars In the life of a ninja, August 20, 2007

By 

Michael Corona "Nemesis Legion" (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Tenchu Z (Video Game)

Tenchu Z - Circa 2007


GOOD:
- Game has 50 missions and three different difficulty settings.
- Create/customize your very own ninja with lots of costume options and props like a crow on your shoulder or an extra sword on your back, as well as change your hair style, gloves, boots, pants and top.
- The customizing doesn't just stop at looks; this game has lots of unique and different moves as well as combos. Some new abilities help you do things like run along walls and cling to ceilings.
- Game has large open-ended stages with a sandbox attitude (finish missions the way you see fit).
- Online Co-op mode (from two to four players), while this mode is a little glitchly it is a nice feature.

BAD:
- Most missions are pretty mundane and by the numbers (not just the first few).
- A few missions are for lack of a better term repeats of earlier stages.
- This story is very bare bones and seems too heavily focused on feudal Japan politics.
- The graphics are old for a game that came out 2007; this game looks at best like a game from the early Playstation 2 days.
- The enemy A.I. is not very good and loses interest in following targets after they lose direct sight of their target. Example, if you get spotted by a guard jump over a small wall and the guard will not only not be able to follow you or know where you "disappeared" to, but after a few minutes that same guard will lose interest and go back to his rounds.
- Higher difficulty settings dose not mean smarter guards or more guards, but just that all enemies have better vision and can spot you much easier.

IF IT FITS YOUR TASTE:
- This game only has three boss battles two of which are on the last mission.
- Westerners (who in this game are Spaniards or pirates) are portrayed odd to say the least (they come off very un-masculine when compared to all other characters even the woman).
- After beating a mission you get ranked on your skill as a ninja (really the game only counts how many times you got spotted and for how long versus how many stealth and normal kills you performed) you get gold according to this and you get a ranking number from one to five (five being the best).
- The game has you earning money or gold on missions to buy/unlock new costumes options, abilities, and items. New costumes options become available every few missions.
- The Ninja Village (just a very small hub world) where you can select missions and change/buy costumes options, abilities, and items has the time of day set to the clock on your Xbox 360, play at night and the Ninja Village is at night, play during the day time and the Ninja Village is set during the day time. Unfortunately this is not carried on to the stages them selves with 95% of the stages taking place at night.

GAME ITS MOST ASSOCATED TOO:
- Tenchu: Return from Darkness (Xbox, PS2)
- Tenchu (PS1)

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- A demo of this game is available on Xbox Live Marketplace.
- Using the right or left bumpers (the 360 equivalent to playstations R1 and L1) makes the difficulty easier or harder per stage.
- A few missions in this game have you kill members of the Echigoya family; this is note worthy because every Tenchu game has its first mission killing a member of this family (usually a corrupted merchant).
- Every mission (50 in all) has at least one guard known as a Tomikichi (they are wearing the over sized round/circle type of hats) killing one on every stage gives you secret achievements.
- Beating the game unlocks a few new costumes options like Modern Day military uniforms with a stock gun (M-16 type) that you can hold on your back (its only a prop you can't use it) and Over sized animals heads (like the ones you see at theme parks).