So, anyway, it's that time of year again, time for a new naruto game to come out for some home console and try to capture the magic of the show. As this forums seeming alpha naruto fan, I thought I'd give you all the run down on the latest in the series long video game history.
Naruto: Ultimate ninja storm is the first PS3 naruto game and as such, is striving to be on par visually with other PS3 games, but it does so not by trying to look super hyper real, but instead, trying to look as close to the origonal show as possible.
The verdict: It pulls it off masterfully. It would be forgivable to look at a fight in the anime and look at Storm and think they came from the same show at first. Storm has a visual look and such amazing cell shading that it's almost a spot on match to the style and visuals that have been the trademark of the show.
The game itself is pretty low on modes, but, makes up for it by having one mode act as a sort of central hub for all the other activies in the game. For those of you who don't know, Naruto is the story of Naruto Uzumaki, a young ninja in training who hails from the Village hidden in the leaves.
THe story of Storm is basicly a cut down, simplified version of the story from the show, but done in much more simple and straight forward ways. While there are cutscenes, there few and far between, normally bookending the main story archs.
As with any naruto game, it comes down to the fighting to be the show stopper. Those of you looking for Tekken or Virtual fighter levels of complexity need not apply. THis is a simple, straight forward, fast paced action series that can be learned and mastered quickly. What set it apart is the variety of special jutsu you can select and customize, various weapons and items you can aquire and various support charecters you can team up with. While not the most complex fighter on earth, it's deep and engaging enough to keep you coming back for more, especially if you like big over the top special moves.
And lets get one thing straight. IN the world of fighting games, NO one does special moves as well as the Naruto series, specificly the Ultimate ninja series. DBZ might have world busting attacks, but in the end, the all come down to being bigger energy blasts. With naruto, the attacks all match the personality and special abilities of the charecter.
For example, naruto, whose hyperactive, full of energy, and seems to have limitless courage, uses a trademarke technique that allows him to clone himself repeatedly and uses this technique to dog pile his enemy before linking the clones together to form a giant whip to deliver a pile driver like slam. ON the other hand, Rock lee, a young, honorable ninja with bushy eyebrows, a bowl cut, and only hand to hand techniques, rushs in a super speed to deliver a punishing series of combos before belting his enemy up into the air to finish with a crush kick that smashs the enemy down to the ground again. Each of the 24 charecters has unqiue moves and abilies and you can customize them before each battle. SOme even have other modes that change there fighting powers and gives them new moves as well.
Sound wise, the music, sounds, dubbing and voice work, both english and Jap, is well down and fitting for the charecters. Naruto thankfully has dropped the "Belive it" Crap and no speaks like a hyperactive punk ninja, but without the annoyance.
All in all, I love this game, but wish it had more features, still it's a blast to play and naruto fans with a PS3 should get it. Non fans should rent first to see if it's there cup of tea, or they can check out the demo on PSN free.
If you have played it, or want to ask questions, feel free to post. Have a nice night, and take care.:D
