Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

About Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins (2000) is Acquire's stealth prequel following the early lives of Azuma ninja Rikimaru and Ayame, with a celebrated Mission Editor.

Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins in Depth

In Sengoku-period Japan, four years before Tenchu: Stealth Assassins, the death of the elder Lord Gohda sparks a coup against his benevolent son Matsunoshin by his uncle Motohide. Each has a ninja clan behind him: Matsunoshin the Azuma ninja, the Gohdas' long-standing allies, while Motohide is manipulated by a neighbouring lord and the rogue ninja group the Burning Dawn. The young Rikimaru and Ayame, with their fellow Tatsumaru, must confront the Burning Dawn.

Played from a third-person view in 3D environments, missions ask the chosen protagonist to stay undetected and either avoid enemies or kill them silently, using a range of ninja tools and equipment. Missions take place at different times of day in rural farmland, bamboo forests, mountains, beaches, ships, villages and caverns. Afterwards the player is ranked on accomplishments such as kills and times spotted, and high ranks unlock special gadgets. One of its most acclaimed features was the Mission Editor, which let players build their own missions, choosing the layout, the characters placed in them and the objectives.

Making Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

After Tenchu: Stealth Assassins sold a million copies, Activision requested a sequel; Acquire developed it for the PlayStation, published by Activision in the West and Acquire in Japan in 2000. Originally intended as a Western exclusive, it was adjusted to reduce niche Japanese elements while polishing play and graphics. It was the sixth best-selling title in its North American launch month, received "generally favorable" reviews and was seen as an improvement; Activision then acquired the series and moved it to K2 for Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven.