Long-time series protagonist Rikimaru now rides a floor mat and tasks younger ninjas (you) with accomplishing his various objectives. Some are straightforward assassinations and others demand compound-wide exterminations. When not focused on killing, you'll occasionally use ninjitsu to safely escort contacts, to retrieve items or to meet with confidential sources. These assignments are loosely strung together by a narrative that slowly unfolds via brief cut scenes and a few scattered lines of text. The general gist is that civil war has erupted between clans. It's your job to stifle the conflict - although the plot does little more than justify your breaking and entering.
Stealth, not storytelling, is Tenchu's main attraction. For a time, lurking in the shadows is entertaining. There's a wide arsenal of stealth kills, combos, special abilities and weapons at your disposal, and more are unlocked as you grind through missions. But it is soon apparent that Tenchu Z requires neither skill nor its vast armory. If, as a ninja would, you simply stick to rooftops, it's possible to quickly navigate and complete each level in mere minutes. Perhaps that's why successful stealth kills add a bonus to your overall score, allowing you to purchase more loot.
