Finally we are down to my number one gaming character…
Rikimaru of Tenchu Stealth Assassins fame on PS1. As you will know from my previous instalment of this blog (Day 1), I was bottom of the ladder when it came to gaming. Being relegated to casual glimpses of video games, or the occasional run around on Goldeneye, my gaming life was a drought compared to verdant springs of repertoire today. Thankfully my brother-in-law had mercy on me and handed me the controller of his PS1; saying “knock myself out,” I was more than happy to oblige (not knocking myself out). I soon realised the game I was playing was probably not for my age, when I killed my first ‘baddie’ by sneaking up behind him and cutting his throat! The more I played the more diverse my kills got. For those few hours I became a merciless hunter of the dishonourable and let me tell you, they didn’t stand a chance.
It was only much later that I found out my lethal killer’s name. Whilst working in Gamestation someone traded in a copy of Tenchu. (why would you do such a thing!) My school girl like glee at the sight of it may have unnerved the guy ever so slightly but I didn’t care! The first thing I did as I got home from work was play it; food was not a concern and neither were my parents. (That being said kids, when playing games always respect your parents and eat a healthy balance diet. HA! Take that Video Games are bad for children campaigners!) It was then that Rikimaru took his rightful place as my favourite video game character of all time.
A man of honour and the forebear of the assassin game, Rikimaru was a skilled ninja of the Azuma clan and a faithful servant of Lord Gohda. The missions throughout the game are given to you by Gohda, whether it be ‘assassinating the evil merchant’ or ‘delivering the secret message’. The game itself is simplistic with the main challenge being the decisions to go around better equipped and armour enemies, to get to your target or just wade in and attack (Assassins creed anyone? )
Rikimaru’s in game story may not be in depth but the cut-scenes help fill in the gaps. You get an idea of what kind of man he is and I truly grew to like him, more than all others. His final scene in the game is one that I still remember fondly but with sadness. You have rescued Princess Kiku from the clutches of the evil Lord Mei-oh, deep in the caves of a mountain. As Rikimaru flees with fellow ninja Ayame, the trio are caught in a rock slide in caverns and without hesitation Rikimaru throws himself under one of the boulders, holding it up so the Kiku and Ayame can escape. The game ends with Rikimaru’s fate a mystery, but Ayame leaves a tribute to him atop a snowy peak, driving his sword, Izayoi into the ground as a lasting memory of his sacrifice. It is still to this day one of the most moving cut-scenes I have seen, it may not be anything to some people but it stuck with me and to me that is what it is important about a truly epic video game character, those moments that stick with you.
There are lots of memorable characters out there now: Mastercheif, Jon Fenix, Commander shepherd, to name but 3; each with their own isms, memorable moments and fist biting scenes, but for me Rikimaru is the epitome of what a true hero is / should be; his sacrifice has confirmed his position in my gaming psyche forever and is rightfully seated at the top of my All time greatest Game Characters.
Article by Ben Mason
