Unlike other ninja games, Tenchu places an emphasis on stealth over action. By creeping up on an unsuspecting foe, gamers can execute stealth kills, instantly killing them as silently as possible. Performing nine stealth kills in a level unlocks a specific new ability, sometimes useful (the camouflage cloak), sometimes not (ninja vision).

Level design is a major factor in stealth games, as this can make or break the experience. Thankfully, the levels in Tenchu are well designed and don’t force one to play in any specific manner. A player can choose to stick to the rooftops, thus avoiding detection, or navigate the streets below, killing anyone who crosses their path.

After the first few fights, most will rely on stealth kills for enemy elimination, as combat is rather dull and unrewarding. Combat boils down to attacking a foe, holding down block during their counter-attack, then attacking again while hoping they aren’t blocking. Some enemy attacks cannot be blocked, requiring the player to flee outside their attack range and attack from behind. On the other hand, stealth kills are faster, lessen the risk of detection and are much more stylish.

Luckily, apart from boss battles, the player is not required to participate in any additional fights. Part of this is due to the woefully ignorant AI. If spotted, you can easily outwit your foes in almost every scenario by hiding behind a wall for a moment. They’ll soon forget about you and continue on their patrolling ways.

You will, however, spend some time fighting the camera. There’s a certain challenge in keeping an eye on patrolling enemies while sneaking down a ledge; one that requires time, skill, and a little luck to be successful in.

Camera problems afflict the multiplayer modes as well. Both split-screen Versus and Co-op are rendered unplayable as the player’s peripheral vision, vital in a stealth game, is reduced to almost nothing. The inclusion of Xbox Live play rectifies this issue, that is, assuming you can find someone to play with. The game servers are mostly empty throughout the day, only once during the past week did I encounter another player. In fact, to find a teammate for this review, I had to ask around on our forums.

When you actually find someone to play with, Co-op is everything one would expect it to be, deeply rewarding and tons of fun. The other mode, Versus, lies on the other end of the spectrum, as fighting another human fails to make the dull combat any more enjoyable

Even if you’re playing solo most of the time, Tenchu still offers an incredible amount of replay value. Not only are there three playable characters, each with their own missions, but each level has multiple layouts that are unlocked after completion of the stage. In what may be the coolest unlockable ever, master players will be rewarded with the ability to play as none other than a ninja dog.

So is Tenchu for you? Well, it certainly isn’t the action-based exercise in splendiferous ultra violence that is Ninja Gaiden. Though Tenchu does have its fair share of throat slitting and swords-through-the-head, the basic gameplay is more reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid than Gaiden's slice and dice routine. Despite the flaws, Tenchu is still a rewarding experience that will keep wannabe ninjas coming back for more.