There was a time when Ninja’s ruled the videogame world. Everybody wanted to be a ninja. With Shinobi, Ninja Gaiden, & The Wrath of the Black Mantis. Ninja games was stronger than ever. Than came a dark age for ninja gamers. Shinobi disappeared in the shadows. Know one knew if Ninja Gaiden was DEAD OR ALIVE. Black Mantis ummm… was just gone. The industry put down their swords and magic spells. And picked up guns and explosives. With their stronger weapons the clans of gaming ninja’s got wiped out. At a time of ninja videogame drought. Us ninja fans looked for a leader to lead us to greatness again. Then September 17, 1998 a great leader came. The name was Rikimaru and he brought with him a lady friend named Ayame. And together they made ninja games fun again. They came back in August 8, 2000. With friend Tatsumaru(very sad game) and made history again.

Now with Shinobi coming out of hiding. And Ninja Gaiden now known to be alive. The Ninja gaming world is making a big come back. But with them back the top ninja is still Rikimaru. Enter Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven the third installment and first real sequel in the series(part 2 was a prequel). But now like an RPG, Rikimaru can earn skills and abilities through stealthy kills. Presented with a set of Japanese symbols that represent each of the ninja codecs, performing certain tasks or finding alternative ways to abolish a foe will give your ninja lead one to three symbols. Once all symbols are gained, your character will learn a new skill. Might be a new magic or new stealth kill, the extra powers will allow you to go back and open up new areas of past stages and take your game deeper than it first appears to be. With this new gameplay element, there’s always something new for your character to learn.

I hope he has insurance

When it comes to the visuals of Tenchu. Just as the last ones it’s kinda behind in its time. But when playing a game as great as this. The average look of the game is easily overlooked. Activision have been working e hard, on improving the controls to be better than the last two games. Now control is all analog rather than digital movement. Climbing walls, crouching, crawling, using magic, seizing your enemies weapon to use against them(a new trick), and alot more is now as easy to do. Unlike the last games.

Tenchu 3 is shaping up to be the ninja experience we all have been waiting for in the next generation of gaming. Too bad we have to wait till this winter to play. But have no fear ninja fans. Pick up your swords and practice your best magic. Because this game will be worth all the wait.

~ditto~