 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Fighting Developer: CyberConnect2 Publisher: Namco Bandai |
Naruto has made a huge impact on the anime culture but most of the games leave players wanting more. Although the previous titles
series. Now, the franchise makes its way to the PS3 in the form of “Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm,” the best game in the franchise to
date, which is an entertaining title from beginning to end.
For those who are unfamiliar with the “Naruto” franchise, the game follows a mischievous and energetic ninja that possess the spirit of
the great Nine-Tailed Fox. “Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm” is a casual fighting game that follows the first plot elements of the anime
series and gives players the chance to fight classic battles, play mini games and roam the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village.
The one thing that players will immediately notice about the game is that the game’s visuals are amazing. Though the environments in
the game are quick simple, the characters animations are absolutely amazing. The attention to detail, fluid movements and even the
camera angles are used expertly and the likeness of the characters of the series are so great that players can’t help but to enjoy how
the characters move and fight within the game. Watching the players execute moves is almost worth the price of the game at times, but
luckily the entire package is worth the price.
“Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm” is broken into two basic modes: Ultimate Mission Mode and Free Battle Mode. Unless they are playing
against a friend, players will be spending most of their time in Ultimate Mission Mode. The good thing about the game is that the
developers noticed that fighting games need something other than straight fighting to keep the longevity of the experience from failing.
Since the game isn’t a technical fighter game and has casual elements, the added content goes a long way. The content is delivered in
the form of a robust collection of missions that are acceded from a hub in the form of Hidden Leaf Village. Players can run and jump
through the village as Naruto; purchase items and unlock features and then access missions by talking to different characters. These
missions range from standard fights, a few mini games or boss battles.
Though the game has been referred to as a casual fighting game, players may be wondering how a game in the “Naruto” series can be
considered casual. The primary game mechanic here is obviously a one on one fighting game with support characters that can come
in for a jab here and there, but the game doesn’t play like a traditional franchise like “Street Fighter” or “Mortal Kombat.” Almost every
great looking move can be used by using the circle button and it is that simplicity that is both the game’s greatest strength and
weakness. The developer is trying to bring the highly stylized and fast action of the “Naruto” franchise to players of all skill levels. This
is where all attacks are pulled off with the circle button and only a few other button presses are needed to compete in battle. Players
can power up their Chakra with the triangle, throw shurikens with the square button and jump or dash with the X button. They can also
block and dodge with the L2 and R2 buttons and the support characters can be called in with a quick tap of the L1 or R1 buttons.
Disregarding the fact that players can do so much with a single button, there is still a fair amount of strategy to be found in the game
and players will need a large amount of skill to move through the more difficult battles in the game. Skill comes into play when players
consider having to manage their Chakra meter, block and deflect incoming attacks and using the proper timing for Jutsu and Ultimate
Jutsu moves. This leads to a nice balance of combat with the potential for mastery. The straightforward combat might turn most
hardcore players off, but there is enough depth in the system to keep players of all levels entertained.
Throughout the game, players will probably be left wanting to see more cut scenes and a much more solid narrative. The actual cut
scenes that players are able to watch compared to the text that the player would read, are very few and aren’t seen very often. When
they do pop up they are fun to watch, making players wish that they would have included a lot more of them. Players will also possibly
complain about the game play, especially the Substitution Jutsu seems to have a lot of problems, all of which mostly involves hitting the
L2 and R2 buttons at the right moment as the opponent strike connects, teleporting behind them. No matter what timing players try,
most of their success with the Jutsu seemed to work sporadically and it becomes very frustrating, especially when they are on the
receiving end of a major combo attack.
“Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm” is fun and the fast paced battles look and feel very solid. Players will really enjoy how great the game
looks. They will want to sit and watch the animations as much as possible. Although there are a few issues with the game play and
some of the controls, the game is a great addition to the “Naruto” franchise. This is a great addition to the collection of anyone who
enjoys that series, but for those who aren’t fans of the series; this may be one game to pass on.
series. Now, the franchise makes its way to the PS3 in the form of “Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm,” the best game in the franchise to
date, which is an entertaining title from beginning to end.
For those who are unfamiliar with the “Naruto” franchise, the game follows a mischievous and energetic ninja that possess the spirit of
the great Nine-Tailed Fox. “Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm” is a casual fighting game that follows the first plot elements of the anime
series and gives players the chance to fight classic battles, play mini games and roam the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village.
The one thing that players will immediately notice about the game is that the game’s visuals are amazing. Though the environments in
the game are quick simple, the characters animations are absolutely amazing. The attention to detail, fluid movements and even the
camera angles are used expertly and the likeness of the characters of the series are so great that players can’t help but to enjoy how
the characters move and fight within the game. Watching the players execute moves is almost worth the price of the game at times, but
luckily the entire package is worth the price.
“Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm” is broken into two basic modes: Ultimate Mission Mode and Free Battle Mode. Unless they are playing
against a friend, players will be spending most of their time in Ultimate Mission Mode. The good thing about the game is that the
developers noticed that fighting games need something other than straight fighting to keep the longevity of the experience from failing.
Since the game isn’t a technical fighter game and has casual elements, the added content goes a long way. The content is delivered in
the form of a robust collection of missions that are acceded from a hub in the form of Hidden Leaf Village. Players can run and jump
through the village as Naruto; purchase items and unlock features and then access missions by talking to different characters. These
missions range from standard fights, a few mini games or boss battles.
Though the game has been referred to as a casual fighting game, players may be wondering how a game in the “Naruto” series can be
considered casual. The primary game mechanic here is obviously a one on one fighting game with support characters that can come
in for a jab here and there, but the game doesn’t play like a traditional franchise like “Street Fighter” or “Mortal Kombat.” Almost every
great looking move can be used by using the circle button and it is that simplicity that is both the game’s greatest strength and
weakness. The developer is trying to bring the highly stylized and fast action of the “Naruto” franchise to players of all skill levels. This
is where all attacks are pulled off with the circle button and only a few other button presses are needed to compete in battle. Players
can power up their Chakra with the triangle, throw shurikens with the square button and jump or dash with the X button. They can also
block and dodge with the L2 and R2 buttons and the support characters can be called in with a quick tap of the L1 or R1 buttons.
Disregarding the fact that players can do so much with a single button, there is still a fair amount of strategy to be found in the game
and players will need a large amount of skill to move through the more difficult battles in the game. Skill comes into play when players
consider having to manage their Chakra meter, block and deflect incoming attacks and using the proper timing for Jutsu and Ultimate
Jutsu moves. This leads to a nice balance of combat with the potential for mastery. The straightforward combat might turn most
hardcore players off, but there is enough depth in the system to keep players of all levels entertained.
Throughout the game, players will probably be left wanting to see more cut scenes and a much more solid narrative. The actual cut
scenes that players are able to watch compared to the text that the player would read, are very few and aren’t seen very often. When
they do pop up they are fun to watch, making players wish that they would have included a lot more of them. Players will also possibly
complain about the game play, especially the Substitution Jutsu seems to have a lot of problems, all of which mostly involves hitting the
L2 and R2 buttons at the right moment as the opponent strike connects, teleporting behind them. No matter what timing players try,
most of their success with the Jutsu seemed to work sporadically and it becomes very frustrating, especially when they are on the
receiving end of a major combo attack.
“Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm” is fun and the fast paced battles look and feel very solid. Players will really enjoy how great the game
looks. They will want to sit and watch the animations as much as possible. Although there are a few issues with the game play and
some of the controls, the game is a great addition to the “Naruto” franchise. This is a great addition to the collection of anyone who
enjoys that series, but for those who aren’t fans of the series; this may be one game to pass on.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
