Tenchu Z

[Yoshi]

The first thing I did with this demo was try to grapple hook a baddie in the head.



What the hell is Shinibido and what is it for? It's asians only though right? aww shucks

Shinobido is Japan and Europe only, right?

You are correct, sir.

[Tain]

Shinobido's a PS2 game with side games on the PS2 and PSP. It's developed by Acquire, who did the first two Tenchu games.

While the core of the game is very much like an evolved version of Tenchu (more mobility in the form of wall running and jumping grappling hook, more stealth kill variety, better combat, cooler items), the overall structure of the game is way different. Rather than have the player shoot through a linear path of levels, Shinobido has the player choose what missions to take depending on what is offered by the three warring factions. You usually have eight or so options at a time.

The awesome thing is that the missions actually branch a bit and have an affect on the game as a whole. If you chose to assault a food supply truck of Sadame's on one day, for example, her troops could be starving the next. This leads to them taking long pauses on their patrol routes making them easier to stealth kill. If you were spotted during the mission, Sadame will be less likely to give you gifts or missions in the future. If you go through enough missions against her without helping her out, you'll have the option of killing her off early.

There's also this neat Garden idea, where you manage your home by setting up traps via the level editor interface and defend it from attackers. If a faction really likes you, they'll give you soldiers to help defend your home. If they hate you, they'll send troops to steal your cash. And then there are the barbarians, who loot you of useful items.

I really like the game, if you couldn't tell. Some people might find the missions themselves repetitive; I think I went through 70 or so before beating the game, and there are probably 15 or 20 unique areas. They kept it mixed up enough for me with the various goals, though.

The second PS2 game and the PSP game are user-made level collections.

[NeoZeedeater]

I'm going to have to mod my PS2 some time to get Shinobido if a 360 version isn't announced. It sounds like the perfect mix of Tenchu's gameplay and Way of the Samurai's open-ended aspects, and probably the only awesome last gen game I have yet to play.

[AaronChance]

I'm going to have to mod my PS2 some time to get Shinobido if a 360 version isn't announced. It sounds like the perfect mix of Tenchu's gameplay and Way of the Samurai's open-ended aspects, and probably the only awesome last gen game I have yet to play.

Aside from the clunky framerate, it's awesome. The user level disc, Takumi, is pretty cool as well. Lot of clever uses for the map editor (like a mission where you can only throw coins and have to startle people to make them fall to their deaths), and a number of unlockable player characters. The original game had only two characters to choose from, sadly. I loved working for Sadame in the original though, because she was completely insane. Her cut-scenes were always hilarious.

The speed of the game is also pretty amazing and feels like a real ninja. No more creeping along all the time. In Shinobido you can launch from roof to roof, drop in, stealth kill, and be back in motion in an eye blink. Unless you want to dump their body in a nearby well.

[nocturne]

Im also very intrigued because ive really enjoyed most of acquire's games. Way of the Samurai was one of my all time favorite ps2 games.

Any tips on getting started on this whole region free mod thing? What would i need to buy?

[Jetman]

Shinobido's a PS2 game with side games on the PS2 and PSP. It's developed by Acquire, who did the first two Tenchu games.

While the core of the game is very ......

This sound seriously pretty good. I know Ive read a few write-ups about it and seen a trailer for it, but this is going to make it a definite must try in my book.

I tried to fight the good fight and tell customers not to buy this flaming pile (Tenchu-Z) before trying the Demo and then deciding, because there is a lot of good stuff coming at the end of June, but some people just wont listen to reason. A lot of people out there just buy it automatically because it is Tenchu. I dont get it.

[MrWhitefolks]

Personally I'm digging the fuck out of Tenchu Z, but then again I've been playing this series since it first hit in japan on the PS1(couldn't read shit, but I still played it non stop). The additions of selectable skills and limitations to how many abilities you can take on any given mission is a neat addition, but if you're not playing this game on the highest difficulty then you're a puss.

I did like the inclusion of the "stink" factor, as if you roll around in too much crap then people in town can smell you coming(which requires you to either take a dip in some water or to use an item for purification), as well as the visibility and sound meters(most notably the sound, as the audible severity changes depending on the terrain and stage(ex: in the caves/mines, normal walking and running is twice as alarming due to the fact that the footsteps echo).

Also, I have to say I enjoy the fact that certain skills require your ability parameters to be at specific levels. In other words, if X ability(str,agi,or health) isn't at a certain number, then you cant use specific ninja skills. This is a great addition in that it disallows the player to stack super badass moves and forces them to still play within the confines of the slower, stealth based style of play that Tenchu is.

For people that enjoy what Tenchu is as a series, I really can't NOT reccomend this. However, if you thought From Software was going to evolve Tenchu dramatically into a completely different game, then that's actually your fault for having such high expectations from such a lazy company. This is what Tenchu always was, slow, methodical, with a good amount of new features thrown in to keep it new enough.

btw: Create-a-ninja is a feature that is pretty slick. Not from just an aesthetic standpoint, but from the gameplay side of the coin as well(since you literally mess with everything, from your standard/style combos to moves, to abilities, to gear, and to equipable items)...it just takes a minute to get robust as you earn more options the farther you get into the title.

[YellerDog]

Yeah, but you spend an inordinate amount of time playing awful games anyway.

[kingoffighters]

The demo convinced me not to touch this game, ever. I appreciate demos like that.

[Changeling]

I almost bought this game today even though I didn't even like the demo. Thats the kinda pull this damn series has on me. Also that this summer is lacking good game (quake wars keeps getting pushed back).

I'll hold off till it hits sub-$30 . You guys that already got it, please keep the impressions coming. Anyone get into the online modes of play?