Home » Reviews » Review: Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Reviews

Review: Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 excited the hell out of me, even if I didn’t understand anything going on around me at any time playing it.

Based on the anime of the same name, Ninja Storm 4 recounts the last bits of the Shippuden story — I think — wrapping an enormous cast of characters up in flashy moves, gorgeous visuals and a frenzied, hectic pace. For fans of the franchise, it’s a perfect love letter. For those new to the story of Naruto Uzumaki, like me, it’s a confusing mess that’s enjoyable because it plays out similar to Asura’s Wrath.

I bring up that latter, westernised game because it’s a great example of what developer CyberConnect2 can do. Fights play out in the same fashion in this new title — fighters, perhaps in groups of two or three in Ninja Storm 4, do nothing but attack one another. Simple button presses unleash devestating attacks, and connecting multiple times usually results in a spectacularly flashy combo. Your fighting pals can also tag one another to also pull off some WWE-style team moves. Enemies, after taking enough damage, usually teleport to the other side of a level to try to hit you with projectiles. You can use a command to sprint the distance and begin the cycle again, really.

narutofight

Thankfully, that rinse and repeat nature manages to keep fresh and doesn’t get boring. With a cast of characters easily equaling at least 50 — I say that not exactly knowing who most anyone is, nor if characters who look similar might actually be the same person — there’s more than enough variety. Though combat is simple, the range of characters and their elemental powers make for different visuals in each and every fight. That’s superb, because I couldn’t keep up with the game’s actual story whatsoever.

Quick-time events play an important — and necessarily and sensible — part of Ninja Storm 4. At times, they’ll add to the flow of combat; during end-sequence events, they’ll help to open up locked story bits that Naruto fans will surely enjoy. Add to that a branching storyline that tells the tale of the ying and yang of Shippuden (again, I’m assuming), and there’s plenty of action or story to keep you coming back for more.

Stills of the franchise’s animated series are used to help tell Ninja Storm 4‘s tale, but the real brilliance comes from in-engine scenes. The jump to current-gen makes for graphics that are crisp, fluid and jaw-dropping. You’re treated to this very early on in the game, when Naruto’s previous… incarnation, I guess (?)… takes on an opponent. The pair unleash their multi-limbed monster things (again, I guess?) with crazy results. Those sequences are feasts for the eyes, paralleling the best anime; they’re almost worth the price of admission alone.

narutoqte

Online modes are robust as well, offering the chance to go one-on-one, try your hand at survival, enter into an eight-player tournament and more. It’s in those tournaments where the simplistic nature of Ninja Storm 4 gets thrown out the window; there, blocking and charging your powers are vital.

In the end, Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 will work best for fans of the franchise, but there’s enough here to interest those who’re fans of the likes of Asura’s Wrath or perhaps want to get into the anime itself. It’s a neat little fighter, available now on Windows PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 was reviewed using a promotional code on PS4, as provided by the publisher.

 

Review: Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
7 out of 10

The good

  • Crazy, frenzied and fun.
  • Fun, even if you have no idea what’s going on.
  • Varied online modes.

The bad

  • Still, best for fans.

Want to know more about our scoring scale?


This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we could earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. Stevivor is an independent outlet and our journalism is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

About the author

Steve Wright

Steve's the owner of this very site and an active games journalist nearing twenty (TWENTY!?!) years. He's a Canadian-Australian gay gaming geek, ice hockey player and fan. Husband to Matt and cat dad to Wally and Quinn.