The Overlooked & Underplayed column allows us to recommend top notch games that, for one reason or another, failed to capture the public’s imagination. Don’t miss these forgotten gems.

Ninjas. For all the fanaticism surrounding them, few games have portrayed them in their traditional context. Japanese developer K2 sought to rectify that with the Tenchu series. Kicking off on the original PlayStation, the stealth based gameplay and setting in feudal Japan drew fans eager to take on the role of ninja assassins Rikimaru or Ayame.

As the third installment in the series, Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven continued the tale on PS2. This 2003 game maintained its predecessors’ emphasis on stealth over Rambo tactics and introduced a slew of new enemies and beautiful new character designs accompanied by a stellar soundtrack.

Where the title really shone was in its gameplay. It made stealth fun. I daresay it is the only title to ever have done ninjas properly. With its balance between stealth and action, heap of single player missions and assortment of intriguing items, Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven offered a healthy amount of game time. Players could also pair up to conduct mission cooperatively or duke it out in versus mode, both of which added hours of replayability.

Despite the critical praise it garnered and a revised Xbox port, the game quietly snuck by and did not gain the following it deserved. Perhaps it was a little too stealthy for its own good?

Don’t waste another minute! Harass your local second hand games dealer for a copy of Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven.

Searching for more Overlooked & Underplayed classics?  View additional entries here.