Developer(s): CyberConnect2
Publisher(s): Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platform(s): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Release date(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One
JP February 4, 2016
NA February 9, 2016
EU February 5, 2016
LA February 9, 2016
Microsoft Windows
WW February 5, 2016
Genre(s): Fighting, Action
Naruto: Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is the latest release in the Naruto Ultimate Ninja series. The game is set during the Fourth Great Ninja War which concludes the Naruto series thus making it the final game. Many features from past entries remain intact such as Awakenings and Ultimate jutsus. A returning feature is the ability to wall run which has been absent since the first game released nearly a decade ago. A major change to the feature is that now one character can be on the wall while another can be on the ground. Usually, the second character would be moved to the wall automatically. What this means is that the character on the wall can launch attacks from that position while their opponent remains on the ground thus keeping the fight moving with a smoother transition. Another new feature is the ability to switch between primary and secondary characters. In past games, players can call in a secondary character for support and they would quickly leave afterward. Taking a page from the Marvel vs Capcom series, Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 grants the player the ability to switch between characters on the fly and just like in the aforementioned series, the characters share a single life bar. And there’s an added plus. Not only is the life bar shared, Awakenings and ultimate jutus are also shared, meaning players can build up their meter with one character, switch to the other and use said abilities with the other character. These new features make for a more dynamic battle than in previous installments. Also, players can now break weapons and deal damage to clothing. For instance, if a character is hit with a fire attack, their clothes will burn away. Constantly jumping around or getting hit with a water based attack will douse the flames.
Switching between characters is quick and easy. With just a press of the right analog stick to the left or right, players can change the leader on the fly. Essentially, you can begin a combo with one character, switch mid combo with another and finish with one more change out. Choosing certain team leads to launching a special Team Attack when the storm meter is full. If Cell 7 team members Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke are together, they will use Summoning Jutsu to attack their opponents before delivering the finishing blow with devastating results. Ultimate Ninja Storm has always impressed graphically and this entry into next generation keeps up that tradition with particle effects that explode of the screen. Boss battles are more epic than ever. The scale of two battling goliaths is truly shown against a beautifully detailed landscape.
Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is a must have title in the series that brings the ninja saga to an end with amazing animation, impressive new features and epic battles that will get your chakra flowing!
Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 gets 4.5 out of 5.
