Quote Originally Posted by ToriJ View Post
What I need is a library with every single game ever created, accompanied with every system ever created, so I can just go in, grab it off the shelf and play it any time I desire. Then I would never have to worry about tracking down copies and money issues ever again.
There's a videogame bar in Osaka, Japan with pretty much all the consoles and big libraries of games! Free to play as long as you order a drink

On with the list!

#6
(it was on number 5 but changed my mind last minute ):


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Tenchu 2:
Birth of the Stealth Assassins


This sneaky ninja PS1 classic snuck into my house and took the following awards:
'Best ninja sim'
'Most inventive gadgets'
'Best game set in feudal Japan'
'Best ninja drama'
'Dumbest guards'
'Best mission editor'
'Hardest boss fights (yes, even harder than that one game yet to come)'
'Most screenshots for a game in this thread so far'


Carrying on with the fondness for stealth games next on the list is a PS1 classic. Tenchu 2 follows the story of young ninjas Rikimaru, Ayame and Tatsumaru in feudal Japan. Technically this ninja sneaker is not the best game ever made: the draw distance which is essential for planning routes and spotting guards is a huge letdown, enemy AI is mediocre at best and combat is a bit clumsy and hard to get used to.



But the sneaking works excellent, level design is awesomely atmospheric and diverse, the game has good pacing, a well written credible story and it does some unique things in it’s presentation. The latter is why it is stuck in my memory so strongly.


The poems on the game over screens unique to each character have stuck with me forever.

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Starting the game only Rikimaru and Ayame are playable and even though the overhanging story and environments are largely the same, both characters have a completely unique 10-set of missions shining light on different details of the bigger picture. The missions are divided into three chapters working towards a grand climax. There’s a lot of drama involved but it’s always on the good side. Things never go cheesy or unbelievable and all main players are 100% credible in motivations and actions. Even the love triangle is well done and the game has many tragic moments, deaths, victories and losses. After finishing Rikimaru’s and Ayame’s campaigns Tatsumaru is unlocked, and we get a chance to play as the good guy defecting to the bad guys, again adding a fresh perspective to the already excellent story.




The opening cinematic always got me hyped to spend more time in the world of ninja. I hope it makes it to the PSN so I can go on this adventure again (my copy no longer works ).

PS: By the lords! I almost forgot one very important aspect: Tenchu 2 had an incredible mission editor letting us create our own missions including bossfights. I spent hours and hours crafting and building my own sneaky levels and it was glorious. Ah, fond memories!

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And I leave you with one of the biggest challenges in my personal gaming history:

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