Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 74
  3. Negative: 3 out of 74
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  1. DavidN.
    Oct 30, 2003
    10
    This game iz DA BOMB the steath kills the graphics n EVERYTHING!!!!!!any ways i never played the first one but the first time i played this game i loved it!!!!!!!!!then i played the second one and it didnt make any sense cause rikimaru had his full eye so i guess they screwed up on that one.the only game series as good as this is the MGS series n the dynasty warriors series thos ones rThis game iz DA BOMB the steath kills the graphics n EVERYTHING!!!!!!any ways i never played the first one but the first time i played this game i loved it!!!!!!!!!then i played the second one and it didnt make any sense cause rikimaru had his full eye so i guess they screwed up on that one.the only game series as good as this is the MGS series n the dynasty warriors series thos ones r tight. so in the end this game iz tight so im totaly buyin the fourth one!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand
  2. MinionX
    Sep 14, 2019
    8
    As a whole, is the best game in the Tenchu franchise, but with the same problems as its predecessors, either with respect to the camera and the very stupid AI of the enemies in it; Other point against it, is the fact that during the whole main game plot, of all the cool characters in this game, only Ayame, Rikimaru and Tesshu Fujioka are playable!
  3. DavidHoltzer
    May 2, 2019
    10
    This game built the great legacy of the Tenchu games even further.I loved all of them and concisely i'll say this game is fantastic and versatile in any aspect that it has and the music in it is just top notch.I have played countless hours on it and i've enjoyed every second.
  4. jimtrashash
    Mar 20, 2003
    1
    i hate this game i hate every thing about it,not only did it suck but the only reason it got a 1 was because i was able to sell it to some stupid jewish kid for 80 dollars,i hope he enjoys it cause im going to enjoy spending this 80 dollars on beer pizza and weed,hahahahahaha
  5. diabolik
    Oct 18, 2014
    10
    My favorite one
    Prefect, new challenge, new ways to kill, is just the best!
    I love ninja games, Like Shinobi and Night shade, but tenchu its my favorite one, after play this game i just fall in love with all the saga!
  6. PhillipR.
    Mar 8, 2003
    9
    Definitely worth the price, does its predecessors proud, my only complaint is the voice acting could have been a bit better, but hey, who cares?
  7. EagleEye
    Mar 9, 2003
    9
    It's really enjoyable, very stealthy and basically kicks ass, especially the co op multiplayer mode.
  8. GabP.
    Jul 4, 2003
    10
    This game is cool. I like to play it with my friend or by my self. The graphic are really good.
  9. MattP.
    Mar 9, 2003
    7
    This game is definitely worth playing but don't expect to be blown away, after getting as far as the third level it's difficult to shake the feeling that it was only 80% finished on it's release. The looks and sound are good but not great, the AI is laughable (enemys repeatedly walking into walls etc) not to mention the frustaration of having to start each level again if This game is definitely worth playing but don't expect to be blown away, after getting as far as the third level it's difficult to shake the feeling that it was only 80% finished on it's release. The looks and sound are good but not great, the AI is laughable (enemys repeatedly walking into walls etc) not to mention the frustaration of having to start each level again if you fall into a hole. But the controlls are passable and the stealth kills are fun, worth getting.… Expand
  10. AdamD.
    Jul 10, 2003
    9
    When is the fourth installment coming out?
  11. Jon
    Jul 16, 2003
    10
    This game F@%$in rocks.
  12. David
    Aug 4, 2003
    9
    If you liked the original tenchu you are gonna love this game. It has the same tense exciting gameplay as the first 2 tenchu games. With improved graphics and a new character and a fun multiplayer mode which make the game more replayable. However the same 2 flaws that have haunted the series (weak AI, and bad camera angles) are still not fixed.
  13. GrahamM.
    Mar 15, 2003
    9
    Awesome! if you like ninjas, this game is awesome!!!!
  14. Angelus
    Mar 7, 2003
    9
    This game is a big improvement over the previous tenchu titles. The combat system has been improved, the graphics are very solid, and the stealth kiils alone are worth the 50$.
  15. NinjaMafia
    Aug 11, 2003
    9
    I really liked this game, probally the best stealth game of the year. The gameplay is really rewarding seeing how they give you stuff for stealth killing people in this game,unlike many other games. The graphics are ok, the lighting effects were awesome but the characters could have been improved. The storyline is the games weakest point. All it is is about some lunatic wanting to revive I really liked this game, probally the best stealth game of the year. The gameplay is really rewarding seeing how they give you stuff for stealth killing people in this game,unlike many other games. The graphics are ok, the lighting effects were awesome but the characters could have been improved. The storyline is the games weakest point. All it is is about some lunatic wanting to revive lord Mei-Oh to take over Japan and you have to stop him. I kinda liked where it was going when I heard about Lord Mei-Oh again but it really doesn't play an important role in the story. The sound is pretty good the voice actors are ok and the music set the mood, but nothing revolutionary. However I have heard people expecting this game to be a ninja simulator, well don't count on it. The game is unrealistic but that is why it is probally so fun. I really would have hated it if I had to slowly climb a rope up a building instead of just being propelled up there. Secondly why would people think this is a ninja simulator? K2 didn't say it was going to be a ninja simulator so you really shouldn't expect one. Back to the game now. The game has tons of replay value. While every level may be the same for every character, the different enemy layouts compensate for that. And there are three different enemy layouts for each stage for each character. Overall, TWoH is an awesome stealth game that I will play for months to come, but, like everything, it is not suited for everyone.… Expand
  16. AndrewJ.
    Feb 4, 2004
    8
    A great fun ninja game.
  17. Colin
    Mar 22, 2003
    10
    There is simply nothing better out there now.
  18. Sithknight1
    Apr 14, 2003
    9
    This game rocks!!!!!!! Is the closest to the original tenchu, which is a blast 'cause the original was amonfst my favorite ps1 games. I hated the second one. If you share my opinions, the you'll love Wrath of heaven. i took one piont from thescore, 'cause as you may've heard, it's a little frustrating when u play 25 minutes of a level 100% carefully of everything, This game rocks!!!!!!! Is the closest to the original tenchu, which is a blast 'cause the original was amonfst my favorite ps1 games. I hated the second one. If you share my opinions, the you'll love Wrath of heaven. i took one piont from thescore, 'cause as you may've heard, it's a little frustrating when u play 25 minutes of a level 100% carefully of everything, and suddenly u die'cause u fell into a stupid pitfall the camera didn't alñlowed u to see(maybe this is intended) and u have to reaply all the freakin' leavel again. But details aside, this is what every videogame shoul be. Lots of fun, u fellin' badass, and the imposibility to let go off the controller. i think that the Kanji letters u earn 4 stelth moves, and then gathering those u earn new abilities, is brilliant. U reallky start thinking as a ninja. " i cannot be seen, when they're less expecting it i'll appear like the wrhath of heaven, slashing them, they'll never know what hit them, i cannot kill innocents, i must achieve ninja perfection" i've got three words 4 this game: Zen like state.… Expand
  19. SeanB.
    Apr 15, 2003
    9
    I thought this game was great untill i fell in a pit i didn't see and had to do the level over again.
  20. RobP.
    Jul 24, 2003
    8
    A great game, but all the bad points of the previous tenchus are still here such as bad camera angles which annoy and stupid enemies! a great game however.
  21. Lyserg1260
    Aug 23, 2015
    2
    Huge downgrade from Tenchu 2. Many cool features were taken. Awesome human bosses were replaced with zombies, ghosts or characters with super powers and combo attacks in hack'n slash style. It had good multiplayer and fun gameplay, but it didn't have original Tenchu feeling so i can't give it higher score than this. This game was not made by the same people and it is noticeable after firstHuge downgrade from Tenchu 2. Many cool features were taken. Awesome human bosses were replaced with zombies, ghosts or characters with super powers and combo attacks in hack'n slash style. It had good multiplayer and fun gameplay, but it didn't have original Tenchu feeling so i can't give it higher score than this. This game was not made by the same people and it is noticeable after first minutes of playing.… Expand
  22. manusax
    Mar 11, 2017
    10
    I love this game. my favorite game for ps2. It's unfair that the creators abandoned the saga.

    El mejor juego de ps2 para mi. el modo sigilo es una auténtica maravilla. precioso.
  23. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Sep 24, 2021
    8
    Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven was released during an action-stealth craze during the early 2000's. Despite weak A.I. and a tacked-on multiplayer, the game was a pleasant surprise. It held its own against bigger competitors like Metal Gear Solid 2 and Hitman 2. This is a violent and engaging ninja simulator that features plenty of content. It's not perfect, but it's good fun. I would rate thisTenchu: Wrath of Heaven was released during an action-stealth craze during the early 2000's. Despite weak A.I. and a tacked-on multiplayer, the game was a pleasant surprise. It held its own against bigger competitors like Metal Gear Solid 2 and Hitman 2. This is a violent and engaging ninja simulator that features plenty of content. It's not perfect, but it's good fun. I would rate this with an 8.3 out of 10.… Expand
  24. Seekersilver
    Dec 13, 2017
    10
    I spent countless hours into this game. It entertained me like no other stealth game did. I wish they have a good sequel for this on Steam. So many memories...
  25. shootingstars99
    Jul 10, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is one of the best stealth-based games I've played. You really need to learn the layouts of levels, as well as the enemy patterns to do well and achieve "Grand Master" or "Expert Ninja" ranks. There are two core characters and one unlock-able character to play, each with their own stealth executions and viewpoints of the events that happen to make up their story campaign. The camera can be a little janky at times, but I don't feel like it detracts too much from the game play. There are many ways to approach a level and many tools and items at your disposal to avoid detection, dispose of enemies, and recover lost health. Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven is a great entry to the Tenchu series and really shows the depth a stealth game can have!… Expand
  26. Scebol
    Feb 2, 2021
    10
    One of the games I played the most on ps2 when I was a teenager and I still play sometimes. I really hope they'll remake all of the chapters of the saga
  27. Trey82
    Dec 15, 2019
    5
    Hard 5.
    Because this thing is TRULY middle-of-the-line. Didja like tenchu's original games?
    You go into the first mission as a reboot/remake/remastered/holy hell I'm going to kill ECHIGOYA AGAIN?! COOL! ... then you actually play it. The worst mission in the game is the first one. No, really. The camera isnt designed to pivot in close quarters, and you are going to be inside..    Hard 5.
    Because this thing is TRULY middle-of-the-line. Didja like tenchu's original games?
    You go into the first mission as a reboot/remake/remastered/holy hell I'm going to kill ECHIGOYA AGAIN?! COOL!

    ... then you actually play it. The worst mission in the game is the first one. No, really.
    The camera isnt designed to pivot in close quarters, and you are going to be inside.. CONSTANTLY guessing where the guys are.. behind which wall?

    And then you have the civilians. The cats. The sleeping guards that you only HIT and didnt KILL.
    Thats the first mission, and it makes this game absolute garbage. The reboot of Tenchu 1's first mission is what killed this series. No, really. You cant hide a good game behind a HORRIBLE first level that ALSO happens to pay homage to the first level of an impossibly great game ~ Tenchu 1.

    Once you get past the first stage, though... you are fine. But if you ever, EVER decide to play this, read a FAQ and memorize what you have to do, because exploration is NOT rewarded in stage 1 ~ you will reach the next area through a hidden passage, here and there.. and it makes no sense.

    You cant hop on every roof like you used to. So that forces more ground stealth.
    You cant do ground stealth as well because you have to fight the camera more than the bosses.
    The bosses suck because the combat system has totally channged and you now have to spam defense and hope to get an opening .... or ragequit and start using the CRAZY amount of items sitting around to get super cheap IN RETURN?!

    The combat system sucks, in this one. There is no sugar coating it. The combos are useless because the enemy defending doesnt have a pattern, so your random meets their random and after you got your forward-facing combo off and the enemy sidestepped, now you have to point towards the enemy, spam block and FIGHT THE CAMERA.

    Now, this wouldnt be a problem if you werent forced into two things: Stealth kill camera crap and FORCED combat.
    For a game built on stealth, they ruin it by forcing more combat on you.
    First mission: Punish the evil merchant.
    Reality: His bodyguard has this super cheap juggling you in the air gunplay move. (Yeah. Anime crap? You killed the series with this kind of stuff.) Then you have to kill echigoya. Easy enough, he just has his gun.. like in the first game.
    ... but you have two more bodyguards spamming you to death with random attacks while he shoots you.

    Do yourself a favor and use a gameshark code or a pro-action-replay code to skip the first stage. Really.

    Once you play the rest, come back and try the first stage. The layout is garbage, and knowing there arent any tenchu games going to be made... ever.. you can blame 'wrath of heaven' and 'fatal shadows' for ruining perfectly amazing stealth games.
    Metal Gear and Splinter Cell had to pick up the pieces leftover from this series that stepped on its own explosive.

    *insert AVGN rant, here*    … Expand
  28. Inuyasha17
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    A game that tells us what an assassination is.
    It's the original game of Assassin Creed.
    Ubisoft's Assassin Creed will have to watch and emulate this game. That's how well this game deals with assassinations. It's such an amazing game, but it was released a long time ago and it's an unfortunate game. Personally, I hope the sequel game will be released. What are you doing with    A game that tells us what an assassination is.
    It's the original game of Assassin Creed.
    Ubisoft's Assassin Creed will have to watch and emulate this game.
    That's how well this game deals with assassinations.
    It's such an amazing game, but it was released a long time ago and it's an unfortunate game.
    Personally, I hope the sequel game will be released.
    What are you doing with Ubisoft, Tenchu, as a follow-up game?    … Expand
  29. ylnylmn
    Aug 25, 2022
    9
    As good as the first 2 games. He made good use of the possibilities of the PS2. Combat mechanics are good. Music is nice. (The music that suddenly plays when you enter a boss, especially "Fearless OST" is very cool). The graphics are nice. Although I had a little trouble with stealth progress and finding my direction. (I think it was harder than the first 2 games). I enjoyed playing it.
  30. The_D4RknesS
    Jun 28, 2022
    6
    It's a good game with a lot of blood and violence but the gameplay is bad Because you don't have any precision in the commands and the game's difficulty is high, you also can't choose whether you want easy or hard
  31. bedirhankrgny
    Jan 31, 2023
    10
    This sequel is almost perfect, graphics are very good maybe playable on ps4 it don’t need any upgrade but this series should be in the ps store’s next gen library or classics.
  32. VLG
    Aug 22, 2023
    8
    I always liked Tenchu, and played all of them with my friends (that were way better than me at these kind of games). Good old times.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best PS2 Game of 2003
51
#51 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
34
#34 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. GameZone
    86
    Perhaps the most puzzling thing of all is what happens when an enemy gets really, really confused. Most commonly you'll see them walk into a wall or some other barrier.
    Read full review
  2. Game Informer
    90
    The ninja game the world has been waiting for. It fights with honor, but still handily slays the competition. [Apr 2003, p.80]
  3. Gamer's Pulse
    80
    Although its plot didn’t captivate me, its exciting gameplay did. Gameplay is covert, yet exciting and had my heart beating rapidly each time I crept up on an enemy for a stealth kill.
    Read full review
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