| Tenchu: Dark Secret | |
|---|---|
| |
| Developer(s) | Polygon Magic |
| Publisher(s) | From Software Nintendo |
| Designer(s) | Tatsumi Sugiura |
| Writer(s) | Toshiyuki Kaziwara |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo DS |
| Release date(s) | JP April 6, 2006 NA August 21, 2006 EU November 24, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Stealth action |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: T |
| Media | Nintendo DS Game Card |
| Input methods | Gamepad |
| Prev game (release) | Tenchu: Time of the Assassins |
| Next game (release) | Tenchu Z |
| Next game (canon) | Tenchu: Stealth Assassins |
Tenchu: Dark Shadow (天誅 DARK SHADOW?), (aka Tenchu DS) released as Tenchu: Dark Secret in North Amaerica, is an interquel in the Tenchu series. Dark Secret takes place after the events of Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins and before the events of Tenchu: Stealth Assassins.
Plot[]
In "Tenchu: Dark Secret," the story unfolds in the small frontier village of Saiga, located on the northern outskirts of Lord Matsunoshin Gohda's domain. Rikimaru and Ayame arrive in town and witness a noblewoman, Princess Shizu, being wounded by an arrow during a bandit raid. They intervene and drive off the bandits, confirming the woman's identity as Princess Shizu, who is married to Lord Kagemasa of the Hakkaku province. The marriage was a political alliance between Hakkaku and the neighboring Akama, ruled by Lord Tokiyori, an ally of Lord Gohda. However, Princess Shizu escaped Hakkaku and took refuge in Saiga.
Rikimaru and Ayame are tasked with escorting Princess Shizu safely to Gohda Castle. She reveals that Lord Hakkaku, her husband, was involving her in strange occult rituals, prompting her escape. In a bid to deceive Lord Hakkaku and delay his attacks on Saiga, Lord Gohda decides to falsely report Princess Shizu's demise while preparing for possible war.
Rikimaru and Ayame protect Saiga from relentless bandit attacks and clash with bandit leader Akunosuke Murai. Lord Hakkaku sends samurai, ninja, and even undead creatures to retrieve Princess Shizu. Despite these threats, the two ninjas successfully defend the village. The situation escalates to a war with Lord Hakkaku, who deploys undead creatures, gaining the upper hand.
After defeating Kurokaze, leader of the Furai ninja clan in Lord Hakkaku's service, Rikimaru and Ayame discover that Princess Shizu is pregnant. The princess becomes possessed and attempts suicide to prevent the birth of her demonic child. Lord Hakkaku, also possessed, reveals his plan to open a gateway between the living and the underworld, allowing demons to invade.
Princess Shizu, resisting possession, leaps off a cliff but is caught by Lord Hakkaku, leading to their disappearance. A sinister castle emerges from the night fog, serving as the gateway. Rikimaru and Ayame venture inside, thwarting the dark ritual. Lord Hakkaku, possessed by the demon Kubira, is defeated, and Princess Shizu is exorcised using Izayoi, the ancestral Azuma Clan blade.
The survivors return to Saiga. Princess Shizu stays to regain her strength before leaving for her father's home. Rikimaru and Ayame head back to Gohda Castle. The Hakkaku province replaced its ruler, but it faded from history. Princess Shizu vanishes, unable to find peace at home.
Gameplay[]
"Tenchu Dark Secret" is played from a top-view perspective, making use of the touch screen for item management and displaying the map, which indicates the movement and facing of nearby enemies. The game features simplified combat mechanics, including basic actions like slashing, jumping, and blocking.
In this installment, strategic utilization of traps and the environment is essential to avoid detection and confront enemy reinforcements. Players can set traps to execute sequences that result in Combo Kills, which are accompanied by photos showcasing the attacks used in the sequence. These can include sword strikes, explosions, falls from heights, and drownings. At the end of a successful mission, players receive a score.
The game offers various missions, such as rescuing captured villagers who reward players with recipes for multiple items. Completing missions contributes to the gradual reconstruction of the village. Failure in missions can result in damage to the town.
Between missions, players can use materials collected from battlefields and defeated enemies to craft items. Additionally, players have the option to sell items, including the photos from Combo Kills, to acquire items from the village Shop.
Gallery[]
Concept Art[]
Renders[]
| Tenchu Series |
|
Main Series Stealth Assassins • Tenchu 2 • Tenchu 3 • Tenchu 4 Portable Games Time of the Assassins • Dark Secret Other Versions and Releases Dimensional Ninja Action Movie • Shinobi Gaisen • Shinobi Hyakusen • Return from Darkness • Fatal Shadows • Tenchu Z • Shadow Assault |