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From Software's PS2 ports getting new features
Remember the PS2 ports that From Software has brewing for the PSP? According to Siliconera, the games will be more than simple ports and will include some new features. First, the Armored Core ports will receive 16:9 widescreen support, improved menus, ad-hoc wireless play and the ability to transfer save data from one game to another.Additionally, Tenchu 3 Portable will be widescreen enhanced and will also include story missions taken from the Xbox version. Tenchu Korenai Portable will get a "renewal," whatever that means. Meanwhile Fu-un Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu-den Portable will receive new, unspecified elements.Frankly, it's nice to see From putting some extra effort into these ports, especially the transferable saves in Armored Core.
From Software goes port crazy on PSP in Japan
According to the latest issue of Famitsu (via PSPHyper), From Software plans to follow up its port of Tenchu: Shadow Assassins with some more PS2-to-PSP ports, so we hope you like games about silent, deadly ninjas, and gigantic, destructive mechs.First, From Software plans to port Tenchu 3 (also known as Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven) to Sony's handheld as Tenchu 3 Portable in August in Japan. Following up that title will be Armored Core Silent Line Portable, destined for a November release, and Tenchu Korenai Portable, which is scheduled for a January 2010 release. Finally, From Software plans to finish off its porting spree with, yep, you guessed it, some more Armored Core, with Armored Core Last Raven Portable set to release in March 2010. Oh, and one last game that is surprisingly neither Tenchu nor Armored Core -- Fu-un Shinsengumi: Bakumatsu-den Portable, which is planned for a December release. There's no word if any of these titles will be available outside of Japan, but we'll be sure to keep you posted.
I Am Alive to show itself in March
Ubisoft has given first-person disaster-survival title I Am Alive an enigmatic March release window. That puts the launch anywhere from six to ten weeks from now, a very short amount of time considering we've seen approximately zilch in terms of gameplay footage. After being hyped up so much at E3, there's been little to no promotion for the game. We're a bit perplexed by this one, and hope it's not a foreboding sign.Other games slated to come out in March include Tom Clancy's HAWX, a PC version of EndWar and Broken Sword Wii. Tenchu: Shadow Assassin, a Wii exclusive, has been given a more exact March 6 date.
Death comes swiftly for enemies in Tenchu: Shadow Assassins
A new video for that Tenchu game has hit the nets and it again focuses on Rikimaru. Instead of being boring cutscenes, however, this latest trailer gets down to what we really want to see: a badass ninja killing dudes. You know, real ultimate power and all of that. Head past the break to watch the video.%Gallery-25071%
Tenchu 4 PSP trailer showcases plenty of ninja action
From Software just released a Japanese trailer for the PSP version of Tenchu 4 and it has everything one would expect from a game of the stealth-action franchise. Check it out after the jump -- badass ninjas sneaking around at night, check. Villain with a maniacal laugh, check. Blades piercing various people, check. Damsel in distress, check. The graphics also look like they haven't suffered a downgrade compared to the Wii version. Still no word yet on a US release.And last but not least, the trailer confirms the inclusion of kittens in the game. Is it too early to crown Tenchu 4 GOTY?[Via Siliconera]
Nintendo unleashes full Q1 schedule
Nintendo's carrier pigeon just landed on our windowsill with a complete list of Wii releases for Q1 2009. We do actually know most of these dates already (so yeah, maybe the mushroom cloud is a bit excessive), but there's still the occasional scrap of new news buried within.Those Tenchu and Little King's Story dates are fresh to us, and there's also confirmation of the first Play on Wii "New Play Control" games, Pikmin and Mario Power Tennis. For the record, "New Play Control" is a bit of a rubbish name for the series. In our humble opinion, obviously.Make the jump for the full line-up, and remember you can click on a game's name to bring up screens (where available)!%Gallery-22964%
Tenchu 4 confirmed for the PSP
According to this Famitsu scan, Tenchu 4 will be coming to the PSP afterall. Rumors abound last month about a possible port of Tenchu: Shadow Assassins (the official title in the US) proved to be true -- the game will be released in Japan on February 12th of next year for 5,040 yen. Ubisoft's US press release for the game issued back in September indicated the game will be exclusive to the Wii, so no one knows yet whether we'll get the port here in the States.[Via Siliconera]
Tenchu 4: Surprise boxart attack
We don't know how long this preview boxart image for Tenchu 4 has been on Ubisoft's site. We suspect it hasn't been very long, because the name change (to Tenchu: Shadow Assassins) is a very recent development, showing up just last week on GameStop.com. The image is regrettably tiny, but detailed enough for us to see what's going on -- and what's going on is that Rikimaru is cutting the head off of whoever picks the game up off the shelf. We've enlarged the image a bit. It's not as beautiful as the Japanese box, but it does have a certain "video game ninja" quality about it.We're not sure the name change was the way to go; while Shadow Assassins is both more descriptive and exciting than 4, if we were Ubisoft, we'd want to emphasize however we could that this game was somehow different from all the other non-numbered Tenchu games not made by Acquire.If you're in a Tenchu mood, be sure to browse the official website. And if you're Australian and in a Tenchu mood, good news! The OFLC has rated the game for release.
Tenchu 4 videos are a neck-snapping good time
IGN has uploaded a whole bunch of new videos from the Ubisoft-published Tenchu 4. While they're lacking in ninja cats, they aren't lacking in depicting the other stuff that excites us about the game: stealth ,slaughter, and REAL ULTIMATE POWER. As much as this game could be bad, we're holding out hope it'll be like the Tenchu of old. Or, you know, fun. It's currently set to release in North America and Europe early next year.Sneak past the break to check out the videos.%Gallery-25071%
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Beat'n Groovy, MLB Stickball, Shadow Assault / Tenchu
This week, after announcing the arrival of MLB Stickball, Microsoft surprised us with two additional titles, Beat'n Groovy and Shadow Assault / Tenchu. Of the three games, let us tell you that Beat'n Groovy is definitely the standout title this week. Let us tell you also that it's the standout title for all the wrong reasons. That should really be the takeaway from this week's XBLA In Brief, even if the other two are decent (particularly Shadow Assault) games. Hear our take on all three in the video above.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[M4V] Download the M4V directly.
TGS08: Sneak through the Tenchu 4 demo
You know, we've been watching Tenchu 4 for a bit now and we're holding out hope that it won't totally suck. Call us optimists or whatever, but we really thing the game can be a solid Wii title. For one, it's Tenchu and our fond memories of the early games keeps us hoping that the franchise will return to its roots again. Secondly, there isn't much in the way of compelling stealth-based games on the console, so a solid entry in the genre would benefit the library of games, in our eyes. Plus, it has kittens. Above, you'll see the first video of three that takes you through the entire demo build available at TGS 2008. Head past the break for the other two.%Gallery-25071%
(Also) This Wednesday: Tenchu: Shadow Assault and Beat'n Groovy on XBLA
As if it wasn't enough to get the chance to spend today playing a fake game of big-head stickball, Microsoft is adding two -- count 'em, two -- additional games to the XBLA service today. First up is Tenchu: Shadow Assault, a multiplayer ninja game of some sort based on FROM Software's long-running series. Just like a ninja itself, this game really came out of nowhere, and could quite possibly kill you in your sleep.The second, Beat'n Groovy, looks like Konami's long-running Japanese series Pop'n Music, but, against all odds, has an even worse name. You can pick them both up for 800 points ($10).Source -- Arcade: Shadow Assault/Tenchu [Major Nelson]Source -- Arcade: Beat'n Groovy [Major Nelson]
Tenchu 4 to hit PSP, not Wii exclusive after all?
There isn't enough ninja on PSP. There aren't enough pirates either, but Tenchu 4 can't solve that. It can, however, save us from a current lack of stealth kills and rooftop trespasses. Speaking to a Tenchu 4 rep, Siliconera got word that the famed neck-snapper would be going to PSP.Later, they found out that the game was also listed on the OFLC (Australia) as a multiplatform release. Is this all just coincidence or an early leak? We guess the one place to find out would be at TGS starting next week.
Tenchu: Shadow Assault coming to XBLA
Though Tenchu 4 may be coming to our shores, it looks like Japan still has a bit of ninja exclusivity to enjoy: Xbox 360 Fanboy recently spotted an ad for Tenchu: Shadow Assault, coming to XBLA. If the official descriptor of "trap action" isn't detailed enough, watch this trailer to see a bit of gameplay. It appears to be a party game of some sort with four players going at it -- or sometimes teaming up on enemies? It's hard to say.It's already gotten the stamp of approval from Japan's ratings board, CERO, for a release this fall, but the ESRB has no record of it. So, as X3F hypothesizes, it could be staying in the Land of the Rising Fun. We'll keep you posted.
Tenchu: Shadow Assault revealed for XBLA
An eagle-eyed tipster noticed a new title pop up on the official Tenchu site and according to the information provided on the site it looks like the series is hitting the Arcade. Tenchu: Shadow Assault appears to be a multiplayer (up to 4 players over Live) party game, although the trailer has what appears to be co-operative sections. According to the site's listing the genre is referred to as a Trap Action title which does point to a party and coop experience ... albeit with one mode.Interestingly enough the website for the From Software developed title lists the title will be made available on October 8 for 800MS points. While the title has been rated by the CERO, Japan's rating board for games, it has yet to pop-up on the ESRB website for release in North America. Possible Japan only release? Maybe, but we'll have to wait and see.[Thanks Sacra]
Ubisoft sneaking Tenchu 4 into America, Europe in '09
If, like us, you've recently had the urge to draw a blade and quietly assassinate someone in the dead of night, you should probably seek the assistance of a good or physically attractive psychiatrist as soon as possible. If, however, you've recently had the urge to draw a blade and quietly assassinate someone in the dead of night -- in a game -- you'll be pleased to note that Ubisoft is bringing Acquire's ninja sim, Tenchu 4, to North America and Europe in "early 2009."Aside from offering two playable characters and the ability to "fight, dash, jump and kill like a true ninja," the Wii exclusive is almost certain to provide one of the most novel uses of the nunchuk yet -- you know, as a nunchuk. Probably. Either way, Ubisoft is confident enough in Tenchu 4's merits to lay down a fairly specific prediction in the press release: "Tenchu 4 will come to a North American and European audience where it will be well-received by both fans of the series as well as Wii owners who have been looking for an edgy and exciting game." It will be well-received ... hmm, perhaps it's more of a command?
Tenchu 4 sneaks onto North American and European rooftops in early 2009
Ubisoft's distribution deal with From Software and Acquire will benefit would-be assassins in North America and Europe early next year. The company has announced that they'll publish Acquire's Tenchu 4 in both regions within that time frame. People who go on and on about the lack of "core games" for Wii: here you go. This is one of those.Along with the announcement, Ubisoft sent IGN the first English-language trailer, made mostly of footage from previous trailers with new English narration. It's cool and atmospheric enough to make us think that maybe this Tenchu really will be good, unlike all those other recent Tenchu games.
Bury the Shovelware: Tenchu Dark Secret
The fall from grace. Unless your heart is nothing more than a cold, shriveled lump, you probably don't like to witness a once-respectable series slowly degrade. It's happened to many franchises. Often the decay is gradual, with gamers slowly noticing a decline in quality and is correlated with slumping sales. Other times a single misstep can throw an entire series against the ropes and nearly into submission. Either way, it's never pleasant to witness failure. Well, almost never. What was once a prominent pillar in the stealth world has been slowly regressing into mediocrity. The Tenchu series was one of the first and most successful entries in the emerging stealth-based genre of the late 1990's. Though games involving evasive maneuvering over combat had been around for awhile, they truly flourished in 3D. From the onset, Tenchu was there. Peered with and rivaled against other top-notch franchises such as Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell, the word "Tenchu" was synonymous with heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping sneaky gameplay. But everything eventually dies. And the Tenchu series received a terminal illness in the form of Tenchu: Dark Secret. Unless somebody steps in and performs some sort of miracle, we might have to talk to Tenchu fans about video game heaven. It's where all game franchises go when they pass away. All of Tenchu's friends are there, like Golden Axe, ToeJam & Earl, and Ecco the Dolphin (Sega, please prove me wrong on these).
Tenchu IV is jerky, graceful
Tenchu IV's animations are the very definition of a mixed bag. The player-controlled kittens, as seen above, look graceful when they move (as cats tend to do), but we're not exactly convinced by the human death animations, which seem to feature enemies jerking about like electrocuted dogs. In the second of the three videos posted after the break, the downed enemy seems to perform some kind of bizarre humping motion in his death throes.Not that we mean to pick on Tenchu IV or anything -- being overly picky about this stuff is just part of our job.%Gallery-25071%
Tenchu IV to feature kittens, might be the best game ever
While it may look like some Laser Cats to most of you, us history buffs know that Lasers were not discovered in Japan until 1714, much later than when Tenchu IV takes place. So, these cats can't shoot lasers, but they can do other awesome things. Like look cute and distract enemies.Thinking of a ninja's arsenal, kittens don't really come to mind. They're prone to make noise (which could mean certain death for a ninja) and they take up a lot of space in a satchel. This space could be used for more deadly ninja stars. But, hey, we're not complaining. We love kittens. Even the fake kind in video games.%Gallery-25071%[Via Go Nintendo]
