Tenchu: Dark Secret

 DS
Metascore
37

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 8 out of 10
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  1. Nintendo Power
    50
    But it's a really watered-down take on sttealth gameplay, and annother disappointing installment in a once highly regarded franchise. [Oct. 2006, p.91]
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  2. GamerFeed
    50
    The latest entry in the once respectable ninja series is downright awful, what with its lack of blood, horrendous top down perspective, and abominable story.
  3. GameSpot
    43
    You'd be better off staying away from this botched attempt to translate the great ninja stealth action series to the DS. Almost nothing good about Tenchu made the cut.
  5. Deeko
    40
    An awful attempt to cash in on a relatively good name. The AI is about as intelligent as a pet rock, the graphics are incredibly bland and dull, the music is quite annoying and I get to barter in REAL TIME on the INTERNET.
  6. GamesRadar+
    40
    The developers opted instead for run-of-the-mill hack-and-slash game mechanics, and so they turned out a game that incorporates very little of what makes the system so enticing in the first place.
  7. IGN
    35
    Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s a familiar brand, that Nintendo published it, or that it’s a limited release: this game is a bad one.
  8. eToychest
    30
    Fans of the series will find absolutely nothing to like here, and it’s likely that any gamer making Dark Secret their first Tenchu game will never buy another one.
  9. Official Nintendo Magazine UK
    30
    A botched excuse for a stealth game whose only achievement is bringing a decent series' name into disrepute. This game should have been so much better. [Jan 2007, p.72]
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  10. Thunderbolt
    20
    The characters have no personality whatsoever. The missions are a joke; the ridiculously horrible AI makes beating every objective a five-minute walk in the park at best.
  11. Modojo
    20
    From Software has insulted themsleves with this piss-poor development, a game that fails in every category. Graphics? Terrible. Music? Bleah. Gameplay? Unreasonable. Wi-Fi? Not even included to a good extent. Replayability? Hey, if you can handle playing past two levels, have at it.

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best DS Game of 2006
60
#60 Most Discussed DS Game of 2006
37
#37 Most Shared DS Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 5 out of 10
  1. ChrisD
    Sep 22, 2009
    4
    Tenchu conjures to mind sneaking around to perform stealthy kills. This has none of that. It would have been a sub-par release even without Tenchu conjures to mind sneaking around to perform stealthy kills. This has none of that. It would have been a sub-par release even without being a Tenchu title, but being as it was makes it even more disappointing.… Full Review »
  2. YiuC.H.
    Aug 9, 2007
    5
    Seriously, I managed to play the game till the end. I wont say this is good or bad (sitting on the fence), but rather it kept me occupied for Seriously, I managed to play the game till the end. I wont say this is good or bad (sitting on the fence), but rather it kept me occupied for somewhat 5 or so hours. While you are half way through the game, you will find yourself laying multiple traps, waiting for the enemy to walk pass (and hoping that they wont change their walking route in the process), as it is not possible to one hit KO an enemy while back stabbing, and using projectiles and foods are a waste of resources. Anyway, the game play is quite a monotone (even boss fighting is a mass spam of traps) and unless you like to hear the sound of bandits or ghouls flying on your traps, look elsewhere.… Full Review »
  3. DustyP.
    Aug 28, 2006
    3
    Since "Wrath of Heaven" there hasn't really been a good Tenchu game, and this is no exception. Not really suited as a DS game (other Since "Wrath of Heaven" there hasn't really been a good Tenchu game, and this is no exception. Not really suited as a DS game (other than the fact that the title is D-ark S-ecret), most of the draw of the game -stealth- is gone since you can't move the camera. This means the only way to see where the guards are is on the bottom screen map... represented as a red arrow. So, instead of sneaking to excecute an enemy with ninja like tactics, you are chasing red arrows with some of the worst sampled audio I have ever heard. Don't be tricked into buying this like I was. Not even the most hardcore Tenchu fan would like this, even with the online trading system.… Full Review »
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