Tenchu Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
Stealth Assassins
Developer(s) Acquire
Publisher(s) SMEJ
Activision
Designer(s) Takuma Endo (director)
Writer(s) Takuma Endo
Artist(s) Koushi Nakanishi
Naoki Sudo
Composer(s) Noriyuki Asakura
Platform(s) PlayStation
Release date(s) NA August 31, 1998
Genre(s) Stealth action
Mode(s) Single-player
Rating(s) ESRB: M
Media CD-ROM
Input methods Gamepad
Next game (release) Tenchu 2
Next game (canon) Tenchu 3

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (立体忍者活劇 天誅 Rittai Ninja Katsugeki: Tenchū?) is the first game in the Tenchu series. Created and designed by Takuma Endo of Acquire, Tenchu has been cited as one the most influential games in the stealth genre. The game was also the start of a long lasting franchise, consisting of nine releases over the first decade of its existence. Tenchu was originally owned and published by Sony Music Entertainment Japan.

Canonically, the storyline of the game takes place after the events seen in Tenchu 2 and Dark Secret. This chronological placement positions the narrative within the broader timeline of the Tenchu series, allowing for the continuation and development of the overarching story that unfolds across multiple installments in the franchise.

Story[]

The narrative of Tenchu: Stealth Assassins is presented through a series of missions, offering players the choice of protagonists between the Shinobi (male ninja) Rikimaru and the Kunoichi (female ninja) Ayame. This mission-based structure provides a semi-flexible plotline, allowing players to navigate through the storyline at their discretion. To enhance clarity and minimize confusion regarding the plot and character-specific details, the story unfolds progressively through each mission, providing a cohesive and engaging experience for players.

Set against the backdrop of Feudal Japan, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins centers around two protagonists, Rikimaru (力丸) and Ayame (彩女). As members of the Azuma ninja clan, their unwavering loyalty lies with Lord Matsunoshin Gohda. The Azuma ninja clan operates as spies and assassins, dedicated to safeguarding the safety and honor of the Gohda province. The game unfolds within this historical context, immersing players in the intricate world of espionage, honor, and intrigue.

  • The commencement of the game involves a training mission wherein Rikimaru or Ayame is tasked with navigating an obstacle course to evaluate and refine their ninja skills. Successful completion of the course elicits positive remarks from either Lord Gohda or Princess Kiku, acknowledging the ninja's proficiency. Conversely, subpar performance results in admonishment from Lord Gohda or Princess Kiku, highlighting the emphasis on skill development and the consequential feedback based on the ninja's performance. This training mission serves as an introductory phase, setting the tone for the challenges that lie ahead in the game.
  • In the inaugural mission, the protagonist is assigned the task of eliminating the wealthy merchant, Echigoya. Having amassed substantial wealth through the demise of his competitors, Echigoya extended his influence into protection, loan-sharking, and gambling. Given his financial prowess, there is a potential avenue for bribery to evade traditional legal consequences if caught and tried. Upon neutralizing Echigoya's guards, the ninja concludes the mission by eliminating Echigoya himself. In his final moments, Echigoya's desperate cries of "My money! My money!" serve as poignant evidence of his corruption, underscoring the moral complexities surrounding the mission and the consequences of his illicit activities.
  • In the second mission, the protagonist initiates the successful theft of a written plan outlining an impending attack on Lord Gohda. The absence of this critical intelligence could potentially subject Lord Gohda to a perilous confrontation. As a preemptive measure, the enemy dispatches their warriors and ninja to the village situated outside Gohda castle. The protagonist's primary objective is to navigate through the village, either avoiding or executing enemy forces, to deliver the crucial plans to Lord Gohda safely. This mission introduces a strategic and covert element, emphasizing the protagonist's role as a skilled operative tasked with thwarting the impending threat and ensuring the safety of their lord.
  • In the third mission, a fellow ninja, either Rikimaru or Ayame, depending on the player's choice, is captured. Lord Gohda, temporarily suspending the ninja code that prohibits the rescue of a comrade, authorizes the protagonist to undertake the perilous task of locating and freeing the captured ninja. The journey entails navigating through a dense forest and a hazardous cave. Upon discovering the captive ninja, the protagonist faces a formidable adversary in the rotund and well-armed jailer, Goo along with the added challenge of confronting a bear or a dog. Overcoming these obstacles is imperative for progress. Following the defeat of the jailer, the enigmatic and malevolent ninja Onikage reveals himself, ominously declaring his intent to target Lord Gohda and the ninja in due course, setting the stage for future conflicts and raising the stakes in the unfolding narrative.
  • In the fourth mission, the protagonist returns from a reconnaissance mission with vital information about the neighboring province's preparations for war. The urgency of delivering this intelligence to Lord Gohda prompts the protagonist to navigate through a checkpoint, encountering various challenges along the way. At the checkpoint, the initial duel involves the protagonist facing a young lady guarding the gate. The encounter unfolds in a familiar manner, with the ninja confronting the girl wielding a Halbert. The ninja asks for passage, refrains from providing identification, and the confrontation ensues. The checkpoint's obstacles must be navigated before facing the young lady's older brother. The second duel differs depending on the chosen protagonist. If Rikimaru is selected, the brother apologizes for his sister's attitude and challenges Rikimaru to a formal duel. On the other hand, if Ayame is chosen, the brother is angry and seeks retribution for his sister's death, interpreting her sassy comments as insults. This mission introduces both tactical challenges and interpersonal dynamics, adding depth to the unfolding narrative.
T1wallpaper

Characters of the original game

  • In the fifth mission, the protagonist is tasked with eliminating Lord Gohda's corrupt finance minister, Kataoka, following the discovery of corrupt business practices in Echigoya's journals. Kataoka, who is also Naotata Sekiya's son-in-law, faces the threat of exposure. Despite the option to arrest Kataoka, Lord Gohda refrains to avoid bringing shame upon Sekiya. Recognizing Lord Gohda's hesitation, Sekiya entrusts the Azuma ninja with the mission of executing the corrupt minister. Encountering the minister's head guard, a duel ensues to extract information about Kataoka's whereabouts. After the duel, the guard reveals that his master is currently away, only to meet his demise with a gold arrow shot by an unseen assailant. The final confrontation diverges based on the chosen protagonist. If Rikimaru is selected, the ninja appeals to Kataoka's honor, leading to a request for assistance in Seppuku. In Ayame's scenario, the minister rejects her criticism and attacks her, underestimating her abilities due to her gender. The ensuing battle between Ayame and Kataoka unfolds as an empowering encounter, showcasing Ayame's swift ninja skills as she efficiently dispatches him, armed with a bow and arrows.
  • In the sixth mission, the protagonist is assigned the mission to eliminate the followers of the Manji cult and retrieve a stone containing an evil spirit. The cultists are utilizing the stone to create an army of zombie-like followers, with apparent ambitions to spread mystical corruption further. The protagonist's objective is to thwart their plans and retrieve the malevolent stone. Upon encountering the keeper of the stone, a formidable and rather large woman, she reveals that the stone is inside her belly. She defiantly declares that the ninja will not obtain it. The ensuing duel unfolds, with the protagonist seeking to overcome this formidable opponent. Following the completion of the duel, Onikage makes another appearance, attempting to kill the ninja; however, Onikage retreats when he starts to lose, adding an element of suspense and setting the stage for future encounters with this enigmatic and malevolent figure.
  • In the seventh mission, the protagonist is tasked with eliminating Spanish pirates who have been attacking a coastal town. Upon reaching their ship, the ninja faces the formidable task of battling the ship's captain, Balmer, and ultimately exterminating him.
  • In the eighth mission, the protagonist is assigned the critical task of retrieving a magic herb from the top of Mt. Shiba to cure Princess Kiku, who has suddenly fallen ill and is losing her sight. The magic herb is identified as the only remedy capable of saving her. The mission involves a perilous climb, with the ninja facing and overcoming the demons of the mountain to reach the summit. Upon successfully obtaining the magic herb, the ninja acknowledges the urgency of the situation and declares their intention to return to the castle.
  • In the ninth mission, the protagonist is tasked with the formidable mission of eliminating Onikage and his army of demons, who have taken control of one of Lord Gohda's castles. The demons possess the ability to launch attacks on surrounding villages from their fortified base, posing a significant threat to the region's safety. Upon reaching Onikage, the malevolent figure inadvertently reveals the name of his master, Lord Mei-Oh. Additionally, he hints at the possibility that Lord Gohda's castle may have been breached. As the ninja engages in a battle with Onikage, the confrontation intensifies, leading to Onikage bleeding heavily and eventually disappearing in a flash of light. This mission unveils critical information about the antagonist's master. It raises concerns about potential threats to Lord Gohda's castle, setting the stage for further developments in the storyline.
  • In the final mission, the narrative takes a dramatic turn as Lord Gohda's daughter, Princess Kiku, falls into the clutches of Lord Mei-Oh, the king of hell. It is revealed that the events of the ninth mission served as a diversion orchestrated by the malevolent forces at play. Faced with the dire situation and Lord Gohda now at the mercy of the evil Lord Mei-Oh, both Rikimaru and Ayame are dispatched to rescue the lord's only daughter. The mission unfolds as the protagonists navigate through challenges that include battling skeletal samurai and confronting twisted, fire-breathing zombies. In their quest, the ninja duo successfully defeats Onikage. They then proceed to search for Princess Kiku within the perilous underground tunnels. The climax of the mission takes place in a deep cavern, where Lord Mei-Oh has opened a portal, setting the stage for a final confrontation between the ninja and the malevolent Lord Mei-Oh. This mission brings the storyline to a gripping conclusion, with the protagonists facing the ultimate challenge to save Princess Kiku and thwart the plans of the king of hell.

In the final cutscene, a poignant revelation unfolds as the secondary protagonist successfully saves Princess Kiku. The trio, comprising Rikimaru, Ayame, and the rescued princess, faces the challenge of making their way out of the crumbling caves. Demonstrating selflessness, Rikimaru lays down his sword to shift a boulder, allowing Ayame and Kiku to reach safety. While Ayame and Kiku manage to escape, Rikimaru remains behind. Ayame watches the heartwarming reunion between Princess Kiku and her father, Lord Gohda, before solemnly plunging Rikimaru's sword into the earth. This concluding scene imparts a sense of sacrifice. It leaves a lasting impact on the narrative, symbolizing the heroism and dedication of the protagonists in the face of adversity.

Background Information and Notes[]

Development[]

250px|center

Missions[]

  • Training

Rikimaru[]

  1. Punish The Evil Merchant (悪徳商人を成敗せよ Akutoku shōnin wo seibai seyo)
  2. Deliver The Secret Message (密書を運べ Missho wo hakobe)
  3. Rescue The Captive Ninja (捕虜を助け出せ Horyo wo tasukedase)
  4. Cross The Checkpoint (関所を越えろ Sekisho wo koero)
  5. Execute The Corrupt Minister (悪の奉行を討伐せよ Aku no bugyō wo tōbatsu seyo)
  6. Infiltrate The Manji Cult (邪教卍教の御神体 Jakyō Manjikyō no gojintai)
  7. Destroy The Foreign Pirate (南蛮海賊の来襲 Nanban kaizoku no raishū)
  8. Cure The Princess (姫の大病 Hime no taibyō)
  9. Reclaim The Castle (鬼の城 Oni no shiro)
  10. Free The Princess (闇の城 Yami no shiro)

Ayame[]

  1. Punish The Evil Merchant (悪徳商人を成敗せよ Akutoku shōnin wo seibai seyo)
  2. Deliver The Secret Message (密書を運べ Missho wo hakobe)
  3. Rescue The Captive Ninja (捕虜を助け出せ Horyo wo tasukedase)
  4. Cross The Checkpoint (関所を越えろ Sekisho wo koero)
  5. Execute The Corrupt Minister (悪の奉行を討伐せよ Aku no bugyō wo tōbatsu seyo)
  6. Infiltrate The Manji Cult (邪教卍教の御神体 Jakyō Manjikyō no gojintai)
  7. Destroy The Foreign Pirate (南蛮海賊の来襲 Nanban kaizoku no raishū)
  8. Cure The Princess (姫の大病 Hime no taibyō)
  9. Reclaim The Castle (鬼の城 Oni no shiro)
  10. Free The Princess (闇の城 Yami no shiro)

Gallery[]

Concept Art[]

Renders[]

External links[]

Tenchu Series

Main Series

Stealth AssassinsTenchu 2Tenchu 3Tenchu 4

Portable Games

Time of the AssassinsDark Secret

Other Versions and Releases

Dimensional Ninja Action MovieShinobi GaisenShinobi HyakusenReturn from DarknessFatal ShadowsTenchu ZShadow Assault

Advertisement