Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins

 PlayStation
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 79
  3. Negative: 2 out of 79
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  1. Lyserg1260
    Aug 23, 2015
    10
    The best one in series. It has great story and characters. Many new stealth kills were added and now we have one story for all three characters, they have different missions and meet each other, so only by finishing all 3 campaigns we will know the story in 100%. Controls were improved, the same with AI which is not that bad this time. Also mission editor is back and it's even better thanThe best one in series. It has great story and characters. Many new stealth kills were added and now we have one story for all three characters, they have different missions and meet each other, so only by finishing all 3 campaigns we will know the story in 100%. Controls were improved, the same with AI which is not that bad this time. Also mission editor is back and it's even better than in first Tenchu. Flat shading is gone, now game has smooth shading so it looks much better, but it doesn't look that good in day missions. Overall great game with huge replay value.… Expand
  2. drlowdon
    Jun 16, 2013
    6
    Aside from the exceptional Metal Gear Solid Tenchu 2 was probably the best stealth based game available on the PSone. At times it could be frustrating, particularly when fiddly controls or camera problems resulted in failure, but when it all came together it was extremely satisfying. Playing in 2013 the these problems are harder to overlook of course so you’d likely be better finding aAside from the exceptional Metal Gear Solid Tenchu 2 was probably the best stealth based game available on the PSone. At times it could be frustrating, particularly when fiddly controls or camera problems resulted in failure, but when it all came together it was extremely satisfying. Playing in 2013 the these problems are harder to overlook of course so you’d likely be better finding a more modern title, such as Mark of the Ninja, if you’re looking for something in this style.… Expand
  3. KarlD.
    Jan 4, 2002
    10
    I didn't play Tenchu 1 but this sequel is really great. Stealth killing and high ninja action is simply fantastic and highly enjoyable. Although some enemies seem dumb, it turns to be quite difficult at times. Many missions with lots of evil ninjas to kill! Great! Live by Honor, Kill by Stealth people!! I have to leave to buy Tenchu 1 to see how the story goes on...quick!!
  4. RobynC.
    Apr 18, 2003
    9
    I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!! Its a cool ninja fest with rikimaru. how comes this thingy will only let me give it a 9 anyway i think it is an 11+ but oh well stupid computer!!!!!!! play it ok!!!! Bye ^-^
  5. [Anonymous]
    Feb 29, 2004
    10
    I think the game is cool. However i got a defective case. mine says it is 1 or 2 players and i belived it. so i am kinda pissed but it is still a cool game. oh yeah i beat the first 1 and that 1 has alot of blood shed. they can fill a pool with all the blood that comes out. well i gotta go now. good game. ps i got mine 4 $16.11 so that was pretty cool.......
  6. SimonB.
    Aug 16, 2006
    8
    People had been rather stealthful on Tenchu 2 with me. I had barely heard of anything else than "awesome gore" and "great action". However, I was a teen then and like them, I was only attracted to gore and action. In 2006, I have just bought Tenchu 2 for this old PS1 that I have. I am not a graphics-hungry person and it shows when I decide to play games like Rise of the Triad (1993) on my People had been rather stealthful on Tenchu 2 with me. I had barely heard of anything else than "awesome gore" and "great action". However, I was a teen then and like them, I was only attracted to gore and action. In 2006, I have just bought Tenchu 2 for this old PS1 that I have. I am not a graphics-hungry person and it shows when I decide to play games like Rise of the Triad (1993) on my computer that runs Doom 3 somewhat perfectly on medium levels of graphics. But as I played Tenchu 2 (2000), I was struck by something that somewhat disgusted me at first: Cubic, flat, constant textures. Most levels were mainly setting themselves around those very simple polygons that were meant to be houses or walls. I admit, it does the work of setting atmosphere in such a game as Tenchu 2. But God, does it make you feel like you're not really playing on a PS2 at all! I have to make a comment on the way water has been rendered: Imagine an invisible nape where small squares of "would-be sparkles" appear here and there, while your character floats on top of it. Not to mention that when you climb out of the water, whoever your character is, he/she will always climb from that invisible nape of water, instead of the wall he's using to climb up. At that, most animations in the game look poorly rendered and often gives the various ninja exposed in it a very clumsy look. Now, for the actual gameplay. You have various ways to put ends to the lives of your ennemies. At most, it will involve blade and flesh making contact. There are various ways of ending lives, as I've said. If you are the kind of bad boy to be tackling your ennemies with a shotgun, you will get slapped back to your little hole. In here, in the Tenchu neighbourhood, STEALH prevails. Points will be alotted to how stealthfully you perform. In certain missions, it will be highly important to not be seen, as that will usually result in instant defeat. Depending on your level of difficulty, ennemies will also be harder to kill if you refuse to use stealth. On easy, ennemies will have about 20 hp, while on hard, they will range from 40-110. That said, your character has 100 hp. What better reason to simply make a single clean cut instead of having to fight your way through ennemies that make as much damage as you do (if not more) to them? - On a side note, some stealth kills are somewhat impossible to produce on certain occasions. I often found myself needing to do a jump stealth kill but was unable to do so because of some whatever glitch that does not allow you to see below your character as you jump. That often resulted in getting seen by a few ennemies. Do not take me wrong, I am not a newbie at this game, ( Several maps have given me Expert Ninja, Grand Master as rating ) but I do complain that the camera angles sometimes kill the mood, as they make you get seen or fail a mission, sometimes. On a more positive side-note, you may also use ninja items during your quests. You have a maximum category of six items to choose for your mission, out of about 20 different items. The choices are really not hard to make: You'll usually want to take two healing potions, several shurikens and some other useful item you believe you might have to use. Last, but not least... The story. Every mission reveals a bit more of the story as you've begun or finished them. Every mission has its opening and ending cutscene. Though, with either characters, you end your missions with duels against bosses. Something that gave me quite a laugh there, not out of affection. Most boss fights look promising, as some of them have some 200-what hp. Means you'll have a hard time fighting them, but no. Most of the fights end when you've reached a number of their health. Then the boss flees, in most occasions, or is saved by something else. At that, all you have to do is face your enemy and parry their attacks and then reply after they've attempted a strike at you. Different levels of difficulty will make bosses toss things at you, but nothing particularly impossible to dodge. In fact, I found the ending boss as easy as any other boss in the game (aside from the fact the last boss blocks MUCH more of your hits than any other boss). Many downsides, but none that make this game something to fear as a waste. A fun game, if you're a fan of games like Splinter Cell.… Expand
  7. Caestus
    Mar 13, 2013
    8
    Tenchu 2 is a fun stealth game with a cheesy but at least enterntaining story and good stealth gameplay. However graphics are poor. But still its worth a reccomendation.
  8. Wilson_RS96
    Jul 15, 2017
    10
    Damm, man! I like too much this game. One of the best playstation games ever... What can I say? This is a Metal Gear Solid with FU***NG NINJAS! AWESOME!
  9. Leontorres7
    Nov 13, 2018
    10
    A Masterpiece, loved everything about this game, it is definitely a must play!
  10. DavidHoltzer
    May 2, 2019
    10
    One of the best games on ps1 for me.This title improved on its predecessor a lot which was already a nice game. Now the story is much better, the game has much more content, the graphics look way better and you can dive under water as a new feature. This game has one of the best stories on the PS1 imo. with memorable characters and locations.
  11. Albert_Wesker7
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    The best ninja/samurai game series ever. I love the combat systems, the characters were phenomenal, the story was extraordinary. I hope it'll be back in 1 day.
  12. Chababa
    Jul 1, 2020
    8
    As a kid playing this was immersive. The controls were okay despite being a bit clunky especially when using grappling hooks. Good improvement compared to the first game but from this game on...I think Tenchu 2 is the best one in the franchise.
  13. AyManda
    May 20, 2022
    9
    10/10, however -1 for the cicada in the beginning. I'd take total silence over hearing that bug ever again.
  14. ylnylmn
    Aug 23, 2022
    9
    I liked the story and level design better than the first game. But the controls are a bit cluncky. Playing stealth is more enjoyable than the first game. There are various death-cams. Especially in the level with the ship, my favorite is to jump out of the water and jump on the man and kill him. It was very satisfying. Cutscenes and characters were good. Music is cool. Legendary game for its year.
  15. Muzzy86
    Mar 20, 2022
    10
    Bloody gutwrenching violence filled with over the top gameplay yes that's right
  16. hyrts
    Jun 4, 2022
    10
    I have had so much fun with this game series. I still come back to this game from time to time.

    The Japanese ninja samurai feeling is so good. It's a 10/10 stealth game.
  17. The_D4RknesS
    Oct 4, 2022
    8
    this is the legitimate TENCHU, there should already be a remaster of this game for current consoles
  18. bedirhankrgny
    Jan 31, 2023
    10
    Best ps1 game ever. This game should be in the ps store library or make a remake or remastered ı don’t know but this series must be back on next gen playstations. I played this game when ı was 6, now ım almost 26 years old but still on top my one of the best games category. This sequel is perfect, also Tenchu 1 and Tenchu 3 is very good but almost the same games, also Fatal Shawdows is aBest ps1 game ever. This game should be in the ps store library or make a remake or remastered ı don’t know but this series must be back on next gen playstations. I played this game when ı was 6, now ım almost 26 years old but still on top my one of the best games category. This sequel is perfect, also Tenchu 1 and Tenchu 3 is very good but almost the same games, also Fatal Shawdows is a good game but Rikimaru isn’t in that game. I think Tenchu 2 is unique. I finished this game in ps1 after many years later, finished in computer after that in corona pandemic situation I finished in my android phone. Man ı love this game please bring it back on ps4 or ps5.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best PS1 Game of 2000
17
#17 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 2000
38
#38 Most Shared PS1 Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. CNET Gamecenter
    50
    While its predecessor broke new ground in the stealth-action arena, "Tenchu 2" hasn't improved much over the original, and has even taken a step back in some areas.
  2. PSX Nation
    92
    If you get into this one, it give you that same feeling you had from watching the cheesy 80's Ninja movies all over again, except for the embarrassing dubbing.
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  3. IGN
    91
    Even with noticeable problems, "Tenchu II" is a rich ninja experience worth its weight in gold.
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