My thoughts on the Tenchu series and where I think it should go. These are all based on my opinions of the franchise and its current place. Please, feel free to comment and discuss!! This is my first blog post ever so enjoy and thanks in advance for reading.

Ahhhhh, Tenchu. Where do i even begin? This franchise has been in my life since i was young and has engraved its way into my heart. Since 1998 i have been stealth killing enemies an i have enjoyed every minute of it. From the first time that I've taken control of Rikimaru and Ayame, sliced open my first chest, I was hooked! The games do good in having really good level design in majority of the missions,  planning of stealth kills that take time and execution, a long roster of interesting and detailed characters and so much more.


Tenchu: Stealth Assassins and Tenchu 2: Birth of assassins were both amazing games. The latter being a prequel. Both games brought the pure stealth aspect out beautifully. With Tenchu 2 improving everything the first one did and better, it was pure gold. While there were faults to the games, what they set out to achieve was done very well.










Then the next generation of Tenchu games were released on the PlayStation 2. Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven for ps2/Tenchu: Return from Darkness for xbox(same game with minor differences) and Tenchu: Fatal shadows took what the originals did and improved upon them very well. Adding better graphics, game play mechanics and more tools for stealth killing.









For the recent generation of hardware we were granted the pleasures(to some) of 2 Tenchu titles. Tenchu Z, a spin-off of the main series. You are given a ninja avatar that can be fully customized to your liking.While the game played like it predecessors, it felt as if it was a few steps back for the franchise. In my opinion there wasn't much substance to the game. While there were 50 mini sand box levels to unleash your ninja skills in. MANY of the levels were used repeatedly. The introduction of 4-player co-op was awesome(in theory), but flawed as well. Co-op was TOO easy. There was no difference in enemy placement or patterns from the single player game. If you weren't host of the co-op portion, it was unbearable. Lag was everywhere. There were times where you would grab an enemy to have them randomly break out of your hold, rubber banding and much more. Then there was Tenchu 4, a main entry in the series which was exclusively for the Wii and psp. While i have not played this entry, i have watched tons of videos to it prior to this blog. From what i can tell the game was very shallow and linear. The motion controls looked cool, but seemed to hold the game back in many areas. Once again a few steps back for the franchise.

Recently I've been feeling as if the developers have given up on the series. With games nowadays more focused on hardcore action and set pieces, games like 'classic' tenchu are getting the boot for games that have shorter campaign times. Where's the balance!? Sure there have been good stealth games to come out recently(looking at you dishonored and Mark of the Ninja), but where are the kings of stealth? Ninjas!! The most notable ninja right now is Ryu Hayabusa from the Ninja Gaiden series. Don't get me wrong, I love the Ninja Gaiden series. The fast paced action and long combos are so satisfying, but for a limited amount of time. I NEED my plotting, sneaking, hiding and, stealth kills.

I truly believe the Tenchu franchise can flourish in times like these, where we NEED something different than your average shooter or hack and slash game. With the next generation of hardware approaching and somewhat already here(WIIU), I believe Acquire can make a beautiful and worthy Tenchu successor. The fans are here to support the game and have been requesting a new game for quite some time now. From Software......what is the problem!?

As a REALLY big tenchu fan I would like to share with you my ideas which i think will bring the Tenchu series back with a bang.

1. Return to classic game play. Give us that raw feeling of being a ninja from Tenchu 1, The beautiful story of Tenchu 2 and game play of wrath of heaven and fatal shadows, with a few things from Tenchu Z and 4 added in the mix.

2. Co-op needs to be better implemented. Make missions where objectives have to be done as a team. I'm thinking along the lines of splinter cell chaos theory co-op. In my opinion i feel as if the co-op should be no more than a 3-man team.

3. Level designs need to be more complex. Some stages should have multiple entry points for objectives. Mission types should also be varied. Have assassination, retrieve the scroll, rescue, infiltrate, escape and for the purists like myself, ghost style missions(missions where you cant be seen and enemies cant be touched).

4. Unlock ables. Self explanatory. As i accomplish certain in game tasks i should unlock different outfits. Such as young rikimaru/ ayame outfit, different colors/armor schemes, and past characters to play as. ex. Tatsumaru, Shiunsai, Onikage etc.

5. Enemy A.I: I'm sorry but the whole 'Enemy searches for a few seconds, doesn't see you, then acts as if a ninja didn't try to kill them' is old and played out. I want a bigger challenge now. If I'm being a terrible ninja, make me pay for it. Have enemies actively search me out if I'm spotted. Stealth kills should still be available but require more of a input when guards now know you're in the area.

Well those are my thoughts on the Tenchu series. I believe if the developers took any of my ideas it would do the Tenchu series some justice, while bringing in new fans to the series. I know there are fans with better ideas and points out there and we all have the same goal. From Software listen to us!!! We are dedicated Tenchu fans and we want our series back!!!