Tenchu: Dark Secret for Nintendo DS Reviews by Gamers

I was really excited for the DS version of a Tenchu game. I mean, who doesn't want to assassinate samurai and traverse mythological Japan at any moment by just whipping out their DS? But this Tenchu, with it's top-down perspective and uh, one attack move really detatches you from the experience.

The utter lack of the series' signature, the wicked stealth kills, is a grotesque mis-step for the game. There is no thrill in just running up behind someone, attacking them, and having them die while you look at a poorly drawn still on the other screen. Getting a kill in the Tenchu games has always felt visceral, but its entirely gone here.

The mission based pacing of the game feels mechanical and boring. The graphics are barely PS1 quality, not good enough when so many games on the system have managed better 3D already.

I thought the idea of laying traps was an interesting notion, but it never really goes anywhere, and its too easy to just kill every enemy this way. Lost potential, in my opinion.

The music is good though.

3/10

Better luck next time, Lord Gohda. Your ninja's didn't save this game...