Skip to main content
Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • RPG Club
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • Game of the Week
  • New Games 2026
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • Best gaming tech
  • Join our RPG Club
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  1. Games
  2. Action
  3. Tenchu Z

Tenchu Z review

A stealthy study on nature's most murderous mammal

Reviews
By GamesRadarChrisAntista
Published 16 June 2007

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

  • +

    A wealth of stealth

  • +

    Blood spurts like a leaky dam

  • +

    Purchasable weapons and abilities

Cons

  • -

    Controls are needlessly complicated

  • -

    Screaming swordplay

  • -

    Killing dogs

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

It’s been nearly ten years since Tenchu creptup behind our consoles, silently doling out deathwhile Splinter Cell’s Sam Fischer was still in Osh Kosh Kevlar. But thanksto the Snakes and Fischers of this world artfully sneaking about and delivering the big sleep, Tenchu’s soft-footed warriors of quiet have looked a little meager by comparison. Tenchu Z hopes to right the slow but steady decline the series has been in since its inception by focusing on what ninjas do best: Ultra-stealthy bloodletting.

A ninja’s best friend has always been the things that cut, stab and kill.You’re certainly not without your swords, arrows and shuriken, but you’ll also find that shadows and bushes are also very worthy companionsindeed. Tenchu emphasizes clandestine concealment over rampant killing, imploring you to holster your murderous instinct until it’s absolutely necessary.

To lenda hand, the on-screen display does a great job of conveying your sound, danger proximity and visibility -all of which you’ll want to keep to a minimum. If you’re not carefully silent, maneuvering amongst light and cover, you’llquickly be spotted and dealt with. Even the reflection of a drawn sword can attract unwanted attention.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

And though it’s been our experience that ninjas tend to need more of a reason not to kill, there’s even an inconsequential story just so you know you’re not ninja-ing for ninja’s sake. Most missions ask you to assassinate an official of some sort, with some sparse item recovery and checkpoint objectives.

For the most part you’ll be crawling around crouch to gravel, familiarizing yourself with shadows and bushes. You can even quietly roll into the water and use a reedlike an antiquated snorkel. Be warned: The controls do require a strict memorization of an dauntingly, almost unnecessarily, dense combination of buttons.Hold this trigger while clicking this analog stickwhile usingyour tongue and ring finger to hitX and the D-pad -Whoa.

We kid of course, but once you’ve learned to stealthily navigate along walls and rooftops, you’ll be gracefully creeping up behind supposed samurai until you’reclose enough for a promted pounce. Then you can either show an uncharacteristic amount of ninja restraint by bonking them unconscious or, more satisfyingly, introduce their insides to your blade.

It’s been nearly ten years since Tenchu creptup behind our consoles, silently doling out deathwhile Splinter Cell’s Sam Fischer was still in Osh Kosh Kevlar. But thanksto the Snakes and Fischers of this world artfully sneaking about and delivering the big sleep, Tenchu’s soft-footed warriors of quiet have looked a little meager by comparison. Tenchu Z hopes to right the slow but steady decline the series has been in since its inception by focusing on what ninjas do best: Ultra-stealthy bloodletting.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

A ninja’s best friend has always been the things that cut, stab and kill.You’re certainly not without your swords, arrows and shuriken, but you’ll also find that shadows and bushes are also very worthy companionsindeed. Tenchu emphasizes clandestine concealment over rampant killing, imploring you to holster your murderous instinct until it’s absolutely necessary.

To lenda hand, the on-screen display does a great job of conveying your sound, danger proximity and visibility -all of which you’ll want to keep to a minimum. If you’re not carefully silent, maneuvering amongst light and cover, you’llquickly be spotted and dealt with. Even the reflection of a drawn sword can attract unwanted attention.

And though it’s been our experience that ninjas tend to need more of a reason not to kill, there’s even an inconsequential story just so you know you’re not ninja-ing for ninja’s sake. Most missions ask you to assassinate an official of some sort, with some sparse item recovery and checkpoint objectives.

For the most part you’ll be crawling around crouch to gravel, familiarizing yourself with shadows and bushes. You can even quietly roll into the water and use a reedlike an antiquated snorkel. Be warned: The controls do require a strict memorization of an dauntingly, almost unnecessarily, dense combination of buttons.Hold this trigger while clicking this analog stickwhile usingyour tongue and ring finger to hitX and the D-pad -Whoa.

We kid of course, but once you’ve learned to stealthily navigate along walls and rooftops, you’ll be gracefully creeping up behind supposed samurai until you’reclose enough for a promted pounce. Then you can either show an uncharacteristic amount of ninja restraint by bonking them unconscious or, more satisfyingly, introduce their insides to your blade.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

Current page: Page 1

Next Page Page 2
CATEGORIES
Xbox Platforms
GamesRadarChrisAntista
GamesRadarChrisAntista
I LIKE TO MAKE THE GAMESRAIDER!!!!!!!1
Latest in Action
God of War
Action Games God of War star criticizes The Last of Us and similar adaptations for excluding the games' talent
 
 
The Legend of Zelda
Hardware This leaked Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary Switch 2 console better be real
 
 
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Action Games Aliens Fireteam Elite vanishes from Switch without refunds, leaving fans to curse the digital future
 
 
GTA 6 Lucia
Grand Theft Auto Take-Two boss says GTA 6's $100 Ultimate Edition is outselling its cheaper alternative
 
 
GTA 6 character in sunglasses
Grand Theft Auto Don't expect a GTA 6 discount anytime soon, says Take-Two CEO
 
 
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
Spider Man Marvel's Spider-Man 2 makes $11m in 2 weeks on PS5 and Steam thanks to Brand New Day, says analyst
 
 
Latest in Reviews
Key art for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam showing a squad of soldiers approaching an island as fires break out around them
FPS Games Hell Let Loose: Vietnam review: "Often frustrating but always involving, this FPS brings war to life and bloody death"
 
 
Blade sheathes his katana in Marvel Tokon
Fighting Games Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls review: "A stunning comeback for superhero fighters, essential for Marvel and genre fans"
 
 
The cherry blossom Scuf Envision Pro on a wooden desktop
Gaming Controllers The Scuf Envision Pro's biggest selling point is exactly why I wouldn't recommend it
 
 
Alan Ritchson as Reacher in Reacher season 4
Action Movies Reacher season 4 review: "Not the strongest installment, but it packs one hell of a punch"
 
 
Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8
Fantasy Shows House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8 spoiler review: "A Game of Thrones-worthy season finale"
 
 
The Lego Disney Castle seen from above, sat on a wooden table against a dark background
Toys & Collectibles You're running out of time to get my all-time favorite Lego Disney set
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. A range of alien species in No Man's Sky
    1
    "There is probably some end" to No Man's Sky, says Hello Games boss, but he'll probably come back 10 years later for a surprise update anyway
  2. 2
    DCU's Waller and Wonder Woman show Paradise Lost have reportedly been scrapped, but Lanterns may get a second season
  3. 3
    Now that The Elder Scrolls 6 is playable, Bethesda's RPG nightmare of its own making is nearly over
  4. 4
    The Lord of the Rings: War in the North re-release is just the start as publisher teases "more classic releases" from Middle-earth are on the way
  5. 5
    Arc Raiders' Frozen Trail update is out October 8, Embark admits "it's time to expand" as recent Steam reviews hit 50% negative

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...