To achieve greatness at Tenchu: Kurenai you will soon need to master the controls. This game is all about not being seen and to so do requires much skill. Stealth is very important if you are ever to become a true Grandmaster or Master of Assassins.
The basic controls for Tenchu: Kurenai are as follows (with some key moves highlighted yellow).

Moving |
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Advance | ![]() |
Run forward | ||||||
Retreat | ![]() |
Turn and run backwards | ||||||
Left turn | ![]() |
Turn and run left | ||||||
Right turn | ![]() |
Turn and run right | ||||||
Strafe forward | R2 | + | ![]() |
Step forward | ||||
Strafe backward | R2 | + | ![]() |
Step backward | ||||
Strafe left | R2 | + | ![]() |
Step left | ||||
Strafe right | R2 | + | ![]() |
Step right | ||||
Quick strafe forward | R2 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Quick step forward | ||
Quick strafe backward | R2 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Quick step backward | ||
Quick strafe left | R2 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Quick step left | ||
Quick strafe right | R2 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Quick step right | ||
Note: In Tenchu: Kurenai the controls are analogue, so all character movement are done with the L3 stick. You can alter the camera angle with the R3 stick. | ||||||||
Jumping |
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Jump | ![]() |
Jump straight up | ||||||
Forward jump | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Jump forward | ||||
Backward jump | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Turns around and jumps | ||||
Jump left | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Turns to left and jumps | ||||
Jump right | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Turns to right and jumps | ||||
Double Jump | ![]() |
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Jump forward powerfully | |||||
Moonsault jump | R2 | + | ![]() |
Jump forward and reverse direction | ||||
Ricochet Jump | ![]() |
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Flip off wall (need to be next to a wall) | ||||
Stealth Mode (crouching) |
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Crouch | R1 | Crouch, don’t stand close to a wall | ||||||
Advance | R1 | + | ![]() |
Advance while crouching | ||||
Retreat | R1 | + | ![]() |
Retreat while crouching | ||||
Move left | R1 | + | ![]() |
Move left while crouching | ||||
Move right | R1 | + | ![]() |
Move right while crouching | ||||
Turn left | R1 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Turn left while crouching | ||
Turn right | R1 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Turn right while crouching | ||
Stealth Mode (walls) |
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Press against wall | R1 | Stand with your back to the wall | ||||||
Move forward | R1 | + | ![]() |
Move forward against a wall | ||||
Move backwards | R1 | + | ![]() |
Move backwards against a wall | ||||
Move left | R1 | + | ![]() |
Move left against a wall | ||||
Move right | R1 | + | ![]() |
Move right against a wall | ||||
Note: For the following to work you must be close to a wall. Also note you can change the camera angle using the R3 button. | ||||||||
Stealth Mode (rolling) |
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Forward roll | R1 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Roll forward | ||
Backward roll | R1 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Roll backwards | ||
Left roll | R1 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Roll to the left | ||
Right roll | R1 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Roll to the right | ||
Quick reverse | R1 | + | ![]() |
Roll through 180? | ||||
Hanging |
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Move left | ![]() |
while hanging | Move left while hanging | |||||
Move right | ![]() |
while hanging | Move right while hanging | |||||
Climb | ![]() |
while hanging | Stops hanging and climbs | |||||
Drop | ![]() |
while hanging | Stops hanging and drops | |||||
Note: By jumping, hooking or grappling the ninja can hang on to an edge. | ||||||||
Blocking |
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Defend | ![]() |
Blocks enemy attacks from the front | ||||||
Attacks |
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Forward slash | ![]() |
Ninja slashes forward | ||||||
Slash left | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Turn and slash to the left | ||||
Slash right | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Turn and slash to the right | ||||
Crouching attack | R1 | + | ![]() |
Slash while crouching | ||||
Jump attack | ![]() |
while jumping | Slash while jumping | |||||
360? attack | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Spin 360? and slash | ||||
Dash attack | ![]() |
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Forward lunging slash | ||||
Flip attack | R2 | + | ![]() |
+ | ![]() |
Slash whilst flipping | ||
Throw enemy | ![]() |
Use when enemy blocks or is inattentively | ||||||
Note: Multiple use of the square button results in a combo, used in conjuction with the L3 stick produces even more attacks. Below are some possible combos you can use. | ||||||||
Standard combo | ![]() |
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Standard 3-hit combo | ||||
3-Hit combo & kick | ![]() |
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+ | ![]() |
3-Hit combo & kick | |
Attack & leg sweep | ![]() |
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+ | ![]() |
Attack & leg sweep | |||
Swimming |
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Forward | ![]() |
Swim forward | ||||||
Backwards | ![]() |
Turn and swim backwards | ||||||
Swim left | ![]() |
Swim to the left left | ||||||
Swim turn | ![]() |
Swim to the right | ||||||
Enter water silently | R1 | + | direction | Crouch to enter water silently | ||||
Water Phantom | R1 | Stay close under the water surface | ||||||
Items |
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Pick up item/weapon | Directional buttons | Walk close to item/weapon | ||||||
Aim crimson blade* | ![]() | + | directional buttons | Target sight is displayed | ||||
Throw crimson blade* | ![]() |
(release) | Blade thrown at target sight | |||||
Aim grappling hook | ![]() | + | directional buttons | Target sight is displayed | ||||
Throw grappling hook | ![]() |
(release) | Grappling rope thrown at target sight | |||||
Select item | ![]() |
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Cycles through items | |||||
Select grappling hook | ![]() |
Shortcut to grappling hook | ||||||
Select healing potion | ![]() |
Shortcut to healing potion | ||||||
Use item | ![]() |
Selected item is used | ||||||
Open map | SELECT | Shows level map permanently | ||||||
Close map | SELECT | Closes level map | ||||||
*Crimson blades are also known as shuriken | ||||||||
Other |
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Look around | L1 + Directional buttons | Ninja looks around | ||||||
Subtle Movements | R3 with R1/R2 | Use for subtle character movements | ||||||
Enter passage | R1 + | ![]() |
Enter secret passage | |||||
Control Camera | R3 analogue stick | Alters camera angle | ||||||
Cancel SK Animation | ![]() | Cancels animation | ||||||
Detonate sticky bomb | Press down R3 | Detonates thrown sticky bomb | ||||||
Pause | START | Pauses the game. Displays restart options. |