Tenchu 2

• Rated M for mature.

Product Description ------------------- Learn the history of Ayame and Rikimaru in this prequel to the top-selling Tenchu. Following the death of their parents, these ninja warriors were raised to be skilled apprentices. The story of Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins starts with their struggle to defend Lord Ghoda from assassination. They soon start to unravel the sinister power grab behind the coup. Tenchu 2: Birth of the Stealth Assassins contains an intense story line, stealth missions, and brutal action. The combat is modeled after authentic ninja moves and utilizes traditional weaponry, including shuriken, caltrops, grenades, poison blow s, exploding arrows, and smoke bombs. You'll be able to swim to targets for surprise attacks and search the bodies of your victims for ninja items. There are a total of 29 missions here--11 each for Rikimaru and Ayame and seven for an unlockable third ninja. And if that isn't enough to satisfy the ninja in you, the game also comes with a mission editor that allows you to design your own missions, which you can then complete or use to challenge friends via the separately sold memory card. .com ---- Games are all about living vicariously, either in a wonderland or an adventure land. Of course, one could never actually play out the role of a deadly, stealthy ninja in real life, but Tenchu 2 supplies an excellent simulation. Players assume the role of one of three assassins in over 29 levels. These ninjas can run, bounce around, and roll every which way. They're armed with a lethal array of items, from a simple grappling hook to poisonous rice balls, left for unsuspecting foes to munch on. Tenchu 2 is completely 3-D, and like most 3-D games, players will be fighting the camera at times, especially when combating enemies in close quarters. On the other hand, it's possible to take out any foe with a single strike--if that foe never sees his assassin coming. This makes sneaking around of the utmost importance, not to mention the utmost fun. --Robb Guido Pros: * Players can kill directly or by stealth * Features many weapons and moves Cons:* Players have to fight the camera as much as the enemy