Without the ability to read Japanese, players were flying blind. They would enter a level and wander aimlessly, killing every guard in sight because they couldn't figure out who the target was. Furthermore, the item management system—a crucial part of preparing for a mission—was a guessing game. Is this item a smoke bomb or a shuriken? Is this sword stronger or faster?
To understand the significance of the patch, one must first understand the confusion surrounding the game’s title. Ninja Katsugeki - Tenchu San Portable English Patch