Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Review

Not long ago, blind-buying a manga or anime-based game was a dicey proposition. Although sporadic standouts such as Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Astro Boy: Omega Factor resisted mediocrity, the majority of licensed titles proved to be substandard cash-ins. One of the principal developers who helped reverse this trend was Fukuoka-based CyberConnect2. By offering commendable interpretations of both the .hack// and Naruto: Ultimate Ninja franchises, the studio helped dispel some of the negativity associated with anime adaptions. Personally, 2009’s Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja 4 proved to be a tipping point, with the game’s quality helping to reinvigorate my appeal for the aspiring hokage.

In many ways, the recent Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 release of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 seems poised to rekindle any waning interest for the Genin-level shinobi. By complementing the franchise’s established mechanics with a substantial narrative that covers the Fourth Great Ninja War story arc, the game’s intermingling of plot and play recalls the competency CyberConnect2’s exhibited for Asura’s Wrath.  Conversely, the title’s protracted cut-scenes and simplistic fighting engine means that the game likely won’t connect with players who are indifferent to Shippuden lore.

Undeniably, Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 makes a prodigious first impression. The title’s core campaign, entitled Ultimate Adventure, opens as Hidden Leaf Village is under attack by the Nine-Tailed Fox. Restoring the invigorating boss battles that were absent from Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, the clash flaunts the game’s visual proficiency- as players leap across the village’s rooftops, waiting for the ideal moment to launch as assault on the gargantuan foe. Foreshadowing the encounters which punctuate each of the game’s ten core chapters, victory hinges on the successful completion of a series of quick-time events. With requests for button mashes and directional pad presses which correspond with the frantic on-screen action, Ultimate Ninja Storm 3’s QTEs consistently evade monotony, conveying a struggle of epic proportions.

Not quite as successful are the game’s clashes against rivals and familiar foes. While the rudiments of projectiles, jumps, block, and basic combos as well as the powered-up chakra assaults allow neophytes to quickly become ninjutsu masters, uniformity across each character’s moveset means that fights lack finesse. Sure, Awakening mode (where combatants with a dwindling health gauge can gain additional strikes) as well as character-specific jutso assaults add a bit of variance.  Yet, the ease that these moves can be pulled off stifles the sense of satisfaction produced through the mastery of intricate systems.

While there is a certain homogeny to the game’s roster of 80 characters, the cast does provide plenty of visual distinction. As with previous installments, Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 allows players to square off again local or online opponents- in survival, versus, practice and tournament modes. A few pleasing additions ranging from ring-outs, random rule sets selected by a slot machine, to team-based battles distinguish this iteration’s competitive pursuits. Pleasingly, online matches performed well, exhibiting only traces of lag as competitors launched simultaneous team attacks.

Less fruitful is the return of return of adventuring elements, which feel underdeveloped.  Between fights and conversational sequences, players are free to explore villages, which are all rendered from a fixed perspective, recalling the viewpoint from classic JRPGs. Woefully, the Kohana isn’t exactly brimming with activity. Beyond NPCs with a line or two of incidental dialog, save points, shops, and a few concealed Ryō, villages are peculiarly lifeless. Ideally, CyberConnect2 would have been bit with a menu system that would have eliminated the unfulfilling navigation and mid-city load times. The one redeeming moment of these sequences is when players are attacked by gangs of foes. Here, the game recalls Ultimate Ninja Impact’s enjoyable skirmishes, as players use a reduced repertoire to devastate enemies. Regretfully, these sequences happen all too infrequently.

Where the series’ has occasionally struggled to find a proper degree of difficulty, Ninja Storm 3 makes a few insightful decisions to make the title accessible to a wide swath of ability levels. At different points in the campaign, players may choose between Hero or Legend paths. These divergent routes not only offer alternative versions of key events, but also exhibit challenge levels identified with a star ranking. Choosing one or the other ultimate influences the tools players are given, allowing for slightly different play experience. Agreeably, gamers may jump back to an overarching timeline to see if they’ve missed any substance. Repeated failed attempts at subduing a foe are accompanied by an option to change the difficulty level, ensuring players don’t become stuck on a specific enemy.

Aesthetically, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 stands proudly at the apex of anime adaptations. With dual-language support players can hear the dialog delivered by the series Japanese or English voice actors. The one blemish is that the game’s lip-synching becomes ruined when switching to English. Visually, the title unswervingly amazes, elevated by characters which replicate the detail and animation of the series. Naturally, Ultimate Jutsus are the game’s high point, delivering cinematic clips which imitate the energy and vivacity of the source material. Even after numerous viewings, these stunning sequences remain eye-grabbing.

Although Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3’s fisticuffs may lack the subtlety of a dedicated fighter, that’s unlikely to discourage supporters of the orange-clad shinobi. Upheld by a sizeable amount of story culled from Shippuden’s current plotline as well as engrossing boss battles which echo the anime’s pinnacles, the title demonstrates CyberConnect2’s talent at capturing the essence of a licensed property. Hopefully, the studio continues their efforts, polishing the inevitable sequel into a title capable of attracting casual followers to the Hero of the Hidden Leaf’s continued exploits.