Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

About Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

Tenchu 2 is a 3D stealth action game set in feudal Japan, developed by ACQUIRE Corp. and published by Activision in 2000. It’s a prequel to the original Tenchu, following teen ninjas Rikimaru and Ayame as they train under Master Shiunsai and confront the rise of the rebel Burning Dawn. You play as either character, navigating castle layouts, avoiding patrols, and executing precise takedowns. The PlayStation-era title blends traditional stealth with efficiency mechanics, success requires both quiet and direct movement. The story revolves around a coup attempt, missing allies, and a mysterious ninja faction. It’s a coming-of-age tale for the series’ heroes, with origins tied to their signature traits like Rikimaru’s scar.

Gameplay

Tenchu 2’s core loop is stealthy infiltration and strategic kills. You control either Ayame or Rikimaru, navigating 3D environments to eliminate targets without alerting guards. Movement is tactile, with crouching, hiding in foliage, and throwing shurikens to distract. The game rewards efficiency, taking the most direct path to objectives unlocks better gear. Combat is minimal; most kills are silent takedowns or explosive traps. Missions vary: sabotage supply lines, rescue hostages, or plant bombs. The camera often struggles with tight spaces, but the challenge lies in learning patrol patterns. Each mission feels like a puzzle, requiring trial and error to balance stealth and speed. The single-player campaign is segmented into chapters, with a focus on learning from mistakes.

What Players Think

Tenchu 2 holds a Metacritic score of 77/100, with critics praising its stealth mechanics and prequel lore. PlayPile data shows 42% of players complete the game, averaging 15 hours of playtime. Community moods are split: 65% report “satisfied” after mastering efficiency-based challenges, while 35% label it “frustrating” due to stiff controls and unclear objectives. Achievements are minimal, with 78% of players earning the base completion trophy. One review states, “The efficiency system adds depth but feels punishing.” Another notes, “It’s a love letter to stealth purists, even if the camera’s a pain.”

PlayPile's Take

Tenchu 2 is a niche pick for stealth enthusiasts who appreciate its layered difficulty and historical context. While its 2000 release date and PlayStation-era technical limitations hold it back, the core gameplay remains engaging for fans of methodical strategy. At its current collector’s item price, it’s worth a playthrough if you enjoy learning enemy patrol loops and refining silent execution. Not a modern classic, but a solid entry in the stealth genre that rewards patience.

Storyline

The game is intended as a prequel to the game Tenchu: Stealth Assassins and depicts the series' heroes Rikimaru and Ayame as teens, being taught by their elderly master named Shiunsai as well as another Azuma ninja named Tatsumaru. The game reveals how Rikumaru got the famous scar over his right eye (not depicted in the game's cover). The Azuma Ninja have served the House of Gohda for countless generations. Now three young ninja, Rikimaru, Ayame, and Tatsumaru, must protect Lord Gohda Matsunoshin against a coup d'état attempt and a mysterious ninja group calling themselves the Burning Dawn. After the three ninja are accepted into the Azuma clan, they are called to Gohda castle, which is under attack by Lord Gohda's uncle, Motohide. After a bloody battle, which includes the death of Lady Kei, Lord Gohda's wife, and the kidnapping of Princess Kiku, Lord Gohda's daughter, Rikimaru stops Motohide from killing Lord Gohda, but can't stop Motohide from escaping. It turns out that Motohide was working for a rival Lord, Lord Toda. Toda kills Motohide, only to be killed himself and decapitated by Lady Kagami, the leader of Lord Toda's ninja. She is leading a group of rebel ninja group calling themselves the Burning Dawn, consisting of Suzaku, Genbu, Seiryu, and Byakko, the four Lords of the Burning Dawn, and led by Lady Kagami. To make matters worse, the recently made leader of the Azuma Ninja, Tatsumaru, has gone missing. It is later revealed that Tatsumaru has lost his memory and is now part of the Burning Dawn. Rikimaru and Ayame now have to save Lord Gohda, and stop a ninja uprising intended to plunge the country back into the civil war. The Burning Dawn has its origins when Lord Gohda's uncle Motohide allied himself with a warlord called Toda Yoshisada in order take control over his kingdom. Toda launched an attack against Gohda castle which resulted in the death of Lord Gohda's wife Lady Kei and the kidnapping of his daughter Princess Kiku. Motohide is later betrayed and killed by Toda, only to be betrayed and killed himself by his chief assassin Lady Kagami: the founder of the Burning Dawn. Over an unknown period of time following the death of Lord Toda, the Burning Dawn partake in a series of underground criminal activities such as kidnapping, theft, forced labor, smuggling and murder. This in turn attracts the attention of Lord Gohda and the Azuma Ninja, who make efforts to end the illegal activities of the organization. The end finally arrives when the Burning Dawns hierarchy and its flag ship 'Fire Demon' are destroyed by the combined efforts of Rikimaru and Ayame, as well as naval elements of the Gohda army.