Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm (+other next-gens!)

[SeraphMazrakiel]

Well it's time this entire board had an update. Maybe. XD

I've just recently downloaded a demo of Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, for PlayStation 3.

As someone who hasn't really played much of the other Naruto games (for PS2, 360, GCN, etc)... this game's okay.

At this stage, I would consider it to be substantially better than that stupid Rise Of A Ninja game for 360. The fighting engine part of it's better, at least.

It's a bit reminiscient of Tenkaichi, as opposed to the side-on fighting games. I haven't tried two-player yet (Sorien, cart yourself around to my place ya little geek!), so I'm not sure if it retains the 3PV Tenkaichi styles, or switches to a side-on view instead. I hate the Tenkaichi split-screen battles. Beh.

Having said that, the fighting system is very basic. There's only a few buttons you really press. There's not really much in the way of different combos, so there's no... Tekken-like depth of movesets for you to master.

I've also never been a fan of those button-pressy games when you unleash an ultimate move. It's an interesting idea, but I find that you generally spend more time focusing on pressing the right buttons, when all this really cool action is taking place on screen that you want to watch. The least they could do is put it in the middle of the screen or something... or do what Budokai 3 did and go the way of button-mashing/analog-twirling. That way you can do that while still watching what happens on screen... or even pause wwhat happens on-screen, have your little minigame and THEN display the outcome.

Perhaps I should be a game designer. I guess we all could, though... nobody knows games better than the audience.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm looks okay, but probably not worth the purchase - maybe a rental. Until then... looks like I've still got some waiting to do, before they make an anime game that surpasses Budokai 3.

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Anyone else played any of the next-gen Naruto games? Got something to say about the post above? Voice your opinions here!

[Sorien]

Right, right. Did they have it in Japanese. That'd be one of the biggest factors for me. I honestly, can not stand the dubs, and dubbed version. It kills me inside.

So, Tenkaichi was the one where you were third person, and could view the world in a 3 dimensional approach right? But...ninja's can't fly... So...the reason for the 3D approach is for... Looking up in trees, buildings and so on?

But in a way, I'm like you Maz, where I compare most fighting games to Budokai 3. They got that right, in a very good way. And I'm disappointed no one has picked up on this yet, particularly the Naruto games, as I can see them working in a similar way.

[SeraphMazrakiel]

Actually, I'm quite happy to say that yes, there is the option to choose between English and Japanese voices.

At least, there is in the demo, so I assume it would be a feature that would stick through to the final product, given that it's one of the most requested in the Naruto games (in fact, most anime games lol).

Another feature it has, as is expected, is a sort of 'power struggle' clash mode. Which certainly took me by surprise the first time I did it. I guess it's to be expected in most of the anime games now (thank you Budokai for the ideas!), but I didn't expect Kakashi to parry my Rasengan with a Raikiri... man, that was funny. I mean, I managed to press that energy ball deep into his chest after some furious button bashing, but that initial "WTF?" as something unexpected happens was ... rather startling. XD

And yes, the two characters you can pick from in the demo are Naruto and Kakashi. Apparently the full game has a meager roster of 25 characters... which I suppose compared to the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Accel games is nowhere near enough. I guess since Shippuden hasn't come out in America they haven't made any games which cover that storyline (in fear of SPOILERS LOL)... so we probably won't see much in the way of Akatsuki, Root or the Jinchuuriki characters. No time-skips... just Part I, still.

I guess Ultimate Ninja Storm is a bit like Dragonball Z: Burst Limit... the first next-gen DBZ game. I'm sure the Burst Limit series will show its potential someday, because the demo is pretty good.. but given that it only covers up to the Cell Games, I'm willing to hold off before jumping in. In that sense, Ultimate Ninja Storm is probably the first game of a series you probably shouldn't jump into until it establishes itself.

You might be able to check it out at some stage when you come over on Tuesday, maybe. If you're early enough. XD I know you've got uni, but I don't think most of the girls are showing up until later, so maybe... guess we'll see.

[Sorien]

You know. I'm actually pretty impressed with it actually.

Even with the two characters, we sat for in excess of 30 minutes playing the game. The other Naruto games to date, I've looked at, and actually not even wanted to play.

You've compared it to the Tenkaichi type 3D game, I don't think this is quite accuate. For one, there isn't really a vertical axis, it's merely 360^o around you type game. Also stops the split screening, and you don't have to lock on to your opponent to find them.

I'll agree though, that 25 characters is few. But it's few compared to the series. 25 is most probably better than a lot of current fighting games (Looking at Tekken and Soul Calibur as examples). And I dare say I wouldn't get too bored too quickly either.

Points of note I do like about the game, are the help you can request from teammates. So, if you're getting beaten to a pulp, you can call upon Sakura and Sasuke (If you're Naruto for example) to enter the arena, and perform corresponding moves (e.g. Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu) to alleviate the beating your receiving.

Likewise, I like the various items you can use from your inventory, for example, you run away from an enemy, flick a couple of kunai at them repeatedly, until they get frustrated, and run toward you. Plant an explosive note as they dash toward you. Good fun.

I also liked how smooth the game was. Was quite decent indeed.

[SeraphMazrakiel]

Perhaps. I daresay Ninja Storm's not bad... it just doesn't quite get up to its potential.

The camera's sort of a half-breed between Tenkaichi/Budokai... it's a 'bit' reminiscient of Tenkaichi. Like you say, no lock-ons, or anything like that... but it's not a side-on view of the battle. It's... okay.

In regards to the number of characters though... I think the main issue with it is that the fighting system itself is just way too simple. Not that it's a bad thing... but seriously, there's one attack button, in which the game tells you itself - Attack combo: mash O button. How can one say that any character is better than another? At least in Soul Calibur and Tekken, there's a major difference between each character, know what I mean? They're all unique, there's a lot to master. Whereas in Ninja Storm, it's basically just hit the one button while blocking every once in a while. The only difference seperating each character is the fact that one uses a Rasengan and the other uses a Raikiri.

It's basically one character, 25 different skins... lol

The TV makes the game look good.

I'll heavily admit, it IS most definitely the best Naruto game so far.

[Sorien]

Hmm. This is true, about the button bashing thing. However, you've even said yourself that you hate games where you have to perform combos to unleash ultimate attacks. That's a decent change. In saying that, they could have perhaps put a little variation in there, like using the shoulder buttons for Chakra charging instead of Triangle. And have Triangle and Circle as punch and kick or horizontal and vertical respectively. Ahh well.

[SeraphMazrakiel]

I mentioned more that the buttons you press mid-ultimate jutsu take your focus off watching the cool carnage happening on the screen. Lol.

But yes, having two attack buttons (like a punch and a kick) would've at the very least switched it up a bit. Just constantly mashing one button gets a bit... mind-numbing after a while. -___o

Come on, like you say... there're two guard buttons, right...?