Tenchu Z

 Xbox 360
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 51
  3. Negative: 11 out of 51
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  1. GameSpot
    49
    Ninjas, ninjas, and more ninjas can't save the technically flawed, uninspired Tenchu Z.
  2. Game Almighty
    48
    Assuming you actually take the time to understand the cryptic controls, you’ll find yourself never having to use your ninja abilities because you can simply hack and slash your way to the objective.
  3. Talk Xbox
    41
    The single-player campaign doesn’t even contain a full-blown plot. To add to this laundry list of blunders, the multiplayer is a snore-fest and a lag-laden cesspool. In short, avoid Tenchu Z like the plague and never look back.
  5. G4 TV
    40
    Tenchu’s been chugging along as a slightly-above-average series for quite a while now. And it’s disappointing that such a great concept has once again fallen victim to poor game design and crappy presentation. Even if the online co-op mode ran better, it doesn’t help the product feel any more fun.
  6. Xbox World Australia
    40
    Unfortunately for Tenchu Z there are games that do the stealth action genre a hell of a lot better, and with nothing else going for it other than ninjas, this one is best left in the dark.
  7. GamingExcellence
    39
    Yes, sneaking around as a ninja in dark and eviscerating your enemies is good for a bit of fun in short bursts, but Tenchu Z's gameplay is so broken and poorly designed that even the parts that the designers got right are lost in the shuffle.
  8. Eurogamer
    30
    As Tenchu Z is already outclassed in every area by last generation stealth games like "Metal Gear Solid 2," it fails almost completely when stacked up against "Hitman: Blood Money," "Splinter Cell: Double Agent" or upcoming treats like "Assassin's Creed."
  9. Xboxic
    30
    It’s too much hard work to get any enjoyment out of this game, there are just too few good parts to make up for the many flaws. Instead of offering a fun ninja experience by itself, you’ll have to look up ways to enjoy it yourself. Not even the four way multiplayer can save this hopeless attempt at a fun game.
  10. VideoGamer
    30
    A sloppy co-operative mode adds little to the overall experience, and a laughably restrictive customisation mode is the final nail in the coffin for this dreadful game.
  11. Game Revolution
    25
    Repetitive, sloppy and inane, Tenchu Z trots out an old ninja that is more of a nut-kicker than a stealth killer.
  12. WHAM! Gaming
    20
    The pithy cut-scenes are about as easy to follow as a quantum physics lecture and are as elaborately detailed as a newspaper comic strip.

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2007
15
#15 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 79
  3. Negative: 12 out of 79
  1. AaronC.
    Sep 7, 2007
    9
    A fantastic game! I had loads of fun and huge replayability factor, I only wish it had more missions so I can keep on playing!
  2. Jornad
    Nov 20, 2019
    10
    LOVED THIS GAME! I played and beat all 50 missions about 5 times over. It may be a little repetitive, but think about it! If you were aLOVED THIS GAME! I played and beat all 50 missions about 5 times over. It may be a little repetitive, but think about it! If you were a skilled ninja assassin would you switch things up in the middle of a mission? Hell no! Your go in there do your thing bust some ass and garentee you make it home… Full Review »
  3. LuciusMcGibbon
    Mar 27, 2018
    8
    Yes, it falls short of next-gen graphical standards... yes, it re-treads some familiar Tenchu ground... yes, the AI is still stuck in 1999...Yes, it falls short of next-gen graphical standards... yes, it re-treads some familiar Tenchu ground... yes, the AI is still stuck in 1999...

    But it's also the most refined Tenchu game yet... your ninja can do more than ever (e.g. paralyzing blows, chained stealth kills, kills through japanese sliding doors) and the stealth concept is ever more fleshed out, as there are now more ways than ever to get detected, meaning greater strategy is needed to, say, keep the moonlight from reflecting off your weapon.

    Oh, and making a grand, overdue comeback to the series: the ability to sheath your bloody sword!!

    My only real gripe is that the main character is quite generic (although with a customizable look) and the story is more of a collection of missions than an evolving saga. So, no Rikimaru, no Ayame, no Tenryu or Mei-Oh, just "you are ninja, now go ninja these people..."

    All told, this game manages to stay mucho fun through all 50 missions, despite not making any of the quantum leaps we expect from next-gen sequels.    … Full Review »
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