16th Century Japan is a popular setting for many video games. This bloody period in Japan's history saw the powerful Daimyo Warlords of clans such as the Odas and the Takedas battling it out for mastery of all Japan. From the tactical, Sun Tzu-based strategy of Shogun: Total War to the hack and slash action of KOEI's Samurai Warriors series, this era continues to inspire the creators of the finest video games. Vivendi Universal's Red Ninja: End of Honor is a stealth and action game developed by the newly-formed Tranji Studios and set in this most colourful of centuries. The ninja adventure, in the cast of the Tenchu games and the recent Shinobi and Ninja Gaiden remakes, features a script penned by screenwriter Shinsuke Sato, more recently famous for directing his own films, Love Song and Princess Blade. The storyline follows the tale of Kurenai, a young and attractive girl. After witnessing the brutal murder of her father and being left for dead by the wicked Black Lizard Clan, Kurenai swears revenge and joins a clan of ninja where she trains to prepare herself for exacting it. Her unique weapon is the wire, or Tetsugen, and it is this which also gives the game a unique feature. The wire can be used in a variety of ways, its length and strength can be adjusted, and various deadly attachments can be exchanged at its end. In this way the wire is not only a weapon but a device that allows Kurenai to access new areas and approach from oblique angles. With her ninja abilities Kurenai can also run along walls, across water, through the air and even make herself invisible, as well as having access to a range of ninja weapons like blowguns, smoke bombs and explosive rockets. She can use her womanly wiles too, to seduce guards, and continue the action that takes place in large, beautiful environments. The game should be welcomed by fans of Tenchu and Ninja Gaiden. Japanese car obsessives might be interested to know that in the USA the promotional campaign for the game includes sponsorship of a highly tuned Nissan 180/200/240sx S14, which will be participating in various drift, race and drag events.