Activision, Inc's (Nasdaq: ATVI) Tenchu stealth ninja series is back with Tenchu: Return from Darkness on the Xbox videogame system from Microsoft.  Based on the best-selling Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven, Tenchu: Return From Darkness brings the acclaimed series to Xbox gamers with several new enhancements including Xbox Live gameplay featuring two-player cooperative stealth ninja action and online death match with 20 playable characters across six maps.  Tenchu: Return From Darkness has been rated "M"  ("Mature" - intense violence, blood and gore - content suitable for persons ages 17 and older) by the ESRB and is available for $49.99 at North American retail outlets.

"Tenchu: Return From Darkness gives Xbox gamers the most authentic ninja stealth action adventure available on the platform," states Takehisa Abe, general manager, Activision Japan. "The addition of Xbox Live cooperative gameplay offers players a truly unique gaming experience." 

The game features several new enhancements such as re-tuned enemy intelligence and placement, the ability to drag and hide dead bodies, an interactive training mode, restart and continue functions, new unlockable abilities such as wall camouflage and the Grand Master "viper drink," new bosses and two new single player maps  - a Samurai mansion and three-story pagoda.

Developed by K2, Ltd. in conjunction with Prosoft Corp., Tenchu: Return From Darkness is set one year after the original Tenchu and players must assume the role of ninjas Rikimaru, Ayame or the mysterious Tesshu, an unlockable assassin, as they battle the evil Tenrai and his six lords of darkness.  The game's authentic features, realistic lighting and weather effects, breakable items and character animations allows players the experience of being a real ninja in 16^th century Feudal Japan.