Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (1998)

by ACQUIRE Corp., Activision Publishing, Sony Music Entertainment Japan
Genres:Adventure
Themes:Action, Fantasy, Historical, Stealth
Game modes:Single player
Story:Tenchu: Stealth Assassins is an action-adventure stealth game developed by Acquire and published by Sony Music Entertainment Japan in Japan and Activision worldwide for the PlayStation in 1998. Tenchu is known for its stealth gameplay and the eerie settings of feudal Japan. Tenchu was one of the first ninja games to incorporate stealth, a very crucial aspect of ninjutsu. However, aside from featuring traditional martial arts in battles, the game incorporates elements of historical fantasy and Japanese mythology. The game also used motion capture where actor/martial artist Sho Kosugi and his son Kane, were hired as actors for the game's combat moves.Show more
user avatarAdded by @SmilinHayn
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.
1 468
Trailers and screenshots
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Stories about this game (10)
What’s your memory of Tenchu: Stealth Assassins?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
user avatar@placeholder

Make sure to follow our Guidelines when adding new Stories.

If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
This only having 7 votes is depressing, we wouldn't have Ghost of Tsushima without this! the most amazing ninja stealth game ever, this and the second one, you could even create your levels! legendary
user avatar@thuperdanuser avatar@thuperdan
January 29, 2025
This first true stealth game in my opinion, opened a whole new genre of gaming. Absolute classic remember getting grandmaster status on every level for never being spotted. I also loved the first levels end boss echigoya just for being a dirty old man harassing the geisha “c’mon, c’mon” hip thrusting at them, just hilarious!
user avatar@Capticeuser avatar@Captice
January 31, 2025
One of my first PS1 games I bought on a whim since the store already sold out of copies of what I wanted to buy and I refused to leave empty handed so I randomly picked this off the shelf. It was my first difficult game to start but I could not put it down. The stages were large, there were many points of entry, there was a lot to explore, some hidden locations, iconic soundtrack, difficult combat and satisfying stealth kills and animations. Ayane was fast and lethal while Rikimaru killed with honor. I still have the soundtrack on CD.
Tenchu and its following titles are for me and probably many others just the absolute non plus ultra when it comes to Ninja's and Stealth gaming. We grew up on this and the whole story around Rikimaru and Ayame is just legendary. "Where did you hide?" or "You chose the wrong party to craaaash" im sure everyone will just recognize those lines and get instant nostalgia. Its a shame these titles are not playable on modern systems and I wish, beg and hope people will give these titles their due respect.
user avatar@hellsrealmuser avatar@hellsrealm
February 09, 2025
best stealth game ever! the gameplay mechanics and you just flat our murderball your opponents is great! this series needs to be remastered for sure! too bad not many people give this game much thought which is super sad. first type stealth game ever invented and without it i think many other gaming company wouldn't follow suit or thought of it.
In its time this was the most advanced combat system and the great grandfather of sekiro!!!! countless memories with this game with its mix of stealth and combat, traversing roofs with grappling hook and not only was the gameplay ahead of its time, the soundtrack is a 10/10, this is in my opinion is the most deserving of a gog release.
Oh man, where do I begin? This is probably the first game I ever played and I still come back to it, to this day. Tenchu has everything going for it. Solid stealth mechanics, beautiful environments set in Feudal Japan (yes, even with the dated graphics), one of the most incredible soundtracks you will ever hear, and fascinating lore which consists of ninja mythology and a blend of fantasy elements. Fight anybody from corrupt merchants to a powerful sorcerer and his demon army.
user avatar@dotrakiuser avatar@dotraki
March 02, 2025
The game that influenced the creation of Sekiro, Tenchu, the greatest stealth + ninja game in action, the entire gameplay is sensational and its level of difficulty and enemy intelligence, in fact, was too remarkable for the time, Tenchu ​​1 and 2 on the PS1, the PS2 ones were also sensational. Tenchu ​​and Metal Gear Solid within the genre are eternal and remarkable and that's why Tenchu ​​deserves to be on this list, I'm waiting for you from GOG, hugs.
One of the first stealth games I ever played and I've loved the genre ever since. A fine example of how gameplay and story combines to make a rewarding experience.
user avatar@mdqpuser avatar@mdqp
April 23, 2025
I personally played Tenchu 2 before this one, however I have great memories with both of them. Watching an enemy getting closer when you have a poor hiding spot is really tense, and sneaking up on an unsuspecting enemy is truly something, however the best memory is probably from the very first level: the dimly lit road as the music kicks in, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, avoiding the guards... Tenchu has a superb atmosphere, and weirdly enough I feel like the PSX graphics helped with that, rather than hinder it. It's a real gem of a game and it's shocking to me that we don't have more games like it nowadays.
Those games also need your vote!
Rule of Rose
Rule of RoseRule of Rose is a survival horror game in which the player, who controls Jennifer, explores the game environments and furthers the plot by accomplishing tasks and experiencing cut-scenes while sporadically encountering enemies and bosses. Taking place in England in 1930, Rule of Rose centers on Jennifer, a young woman who is led to an abandoned orphanage by a small boy.
Horror
Survival
Horror
Survival
3 138
37
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg
Billy Hatcher and the Giant EggDarkness has fallen upon a once-magical land. An evil King who seeks to rule with an everlasting night has captured the creatures that inhabit this realm. Now, a young boy must use the powers of a legendary suit to control special eggs in order to restore light to the land. Gamers will collect magical eggs, use them to solve puzzles and nurture them with items found while exploring the world. Gamers will be able to hatch the eggs and discover magical creatures with a variety of skills, introducing a strategic planning element to the combat and puzzles. Players will explore massive, colourful environments, each with their own missions and secrets, and then defeat the evil boss of each stage. It's up to Billy Hatcher to return light to the land.
Action
Fantasy
Action
Fantasy
244
7
Silent Hill 3
Silent Hill 3Silent Hill 3 is the third installment in the Silent Hill series. Like the previous entries, Silent Hill 3 is a survival horror combining action-based combat and puzzle-solving, but is somewhat more combat-oriented than the preceding installments. The main character is able to side-step and block some attacks, but in general shares with the other protagonists of the series their relative ineptitude in combat.
Action
Horror
Science fiction
Stealth
Survival
Mystery
Action
Horror
Science fiction
Stealth
Survival
Mystery
36 127
74
Breath of Fire II
Breath of Fire IIThe incredible sequel to the best-selling RPG hit Breath of Fire is here! You are the last member of the Dragon clan, fighting to rid the world of a growing evil. A cast of unusual and exciting companions joins you in your adventures across a wondrous land full of magic and mystery. You'll find strange mystic items, memorable monsters and exotic locations in your quest to conquer evil. There's strategy and spellcasting galore in the hours of compelling action and adventure that awaits you. Breath of Fire II is the ultimate in RPG excitement!
Action
Fantasy
Action
Fantasy
4 132
16
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
Transformers: Fall of CybertronTransformers: Fall of Cybertron transports you to the final days of the planet Cybertron where you will experience the darkest hours of the apocalyptic war between the Autobots and Decepticons. Embark on an adrenaline-fueled journey through a wide range of missions and massive environments designed around each character's unique abilities. Fight through both sides of the most epic battles leading to their legendary exodus from their homeworld. In addition, players experience action in the form of new Transformer bot types Combaticons, Insecticons, and Dinobots.
Action
Science fiction
Action
Science fiction
1 543
7
Shantae
ShantaeGenie-girl Shantae is the self-appointed guardian of a small fishing village, Scuttle Town. Living life in a lighthouse rather than a bottle, she's constantly on the lookout for danger. When the nefarious lady-pirate, Risky Boots catches wind of the treasure that was recently unearthed in the village, she launches an attack. To get Scuttle out of trouble, it's up to Shantae to prove that she's the rightful 'Guardian Genie' to the best of her dancing, buying and hair-whipping abilities. Now crack that whip!
Action
Fantasy
Action
Fantasy
223
3
Digimon World
Digimon WorldDigimon world is a game that allows a player to raise their own Digimon and teach it to battle.
Our Pick
Top
Fantasy
Science fiction
Our Pick
Top
Fantasy
Science fiction
42 928
1158
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Marvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action role playing game set within the fictional Marvel Universe. It features many of the superheroes, supervillains, and supporting characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.
Action
Science fiction
Action
Science fiction
1 782
12
Fable
FableThe adventure in which you are about to embark tells the story of how once upon a time a young boy named Quickthorpe set out a journey through the lost world of Balkhane. It is a Fable in one way, but in the 'trick of the tale', it's a strange adventure through a shattered world and a saga born out of the very sick mind of a man called Ismael. Long ago in the mists of time lived the Mecubarz. Ancient and beautiful, powerful and wise they ruled absolute. Strange beings, magical creatures and humans lived together in peace and harmony, until greed destroyed it all. Ismael, a respected man, and revered by all, sadly had a heart that was hollow and bitter. He and four others plotted to overthrow the Mecubarz. The Mecubarz' fury at the treason of Ismael and his men was cataclysmic. They trapped the four seasons and put them into impenetrable crystals, casting them to the four corners of the shattered world where they stood still and were held in an eternal dominion of ice, mist, water, and fire. The four traitors were exiled, but Ismael disappeared. As Quickthorpe, an inexperienced adventurer, your quest is to explore the Four Lands of the Mecubarz in search of the mystical gems that will liberate your people. Keen observation, puzzle-solving skill and quick thinking are the abilities required to undertake this exciting but unpredictable task. Interact with a universe of characters which come to life with true speech creating a world with an atmosphere so thick you can feel it. Combined stunning animations and atmospheric sound effects will ensure that Fable will take you on the journey of a lifetime! But beware... in the world of Fable not everything is as it seems.
Action
Fantasy
Comedy
Action
Fantasy
Comedy
224
2
Gregory Horror Show
Gregory Horror ShowA bizarre adventure game that follows the adventures of a main hero named Gregory whose purpose it is to collect lost souls in a haunted mansion. This hotel of the undead is filled with a bizarre group of guests -- along with Gregory and a mischievous little punk kid called James. Your goal is to steal the soul fragment (contained in milk bottles) that each guest holds. Doing so will, as Death informed you, get you out of the hotel, and apparently fill you in on why you were out walking about in the forest in the first place. You obtain the soul fragments by interacting with guests and solving basic puzzles. The game ends when you've run out of spirit as indicated by a spirit meter.
Horror
Stealth
Horror
Stealth
118
2