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The Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja series, developed by CyberConnect2, stands out as a successful anime/manga game adaptation. Each installment has been met with positive reception, thanks to its engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and continuous improvements. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, released on February 5th, promised to continue this trend. Does it deliver?

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 gameplay

Continuing the story from Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, Storm 4 takes players through the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War, concluding the saga of Naruto Uzumaki. The war is divided into chapters and stages, interspersed with cutscenes and objectives. Completing these objectives unlocks rare items and new characters for other game modes.

An Epic Climax

Storm 4 delivers intense and challenging battles, pushing players to strategize and master their skills. Beyond the Story mode, Adventure mode offers post-war exploration and missions, while Online Battles and Free Battles cater to competitive and casual players alike. The game boasts the largest character roster yet, with over 120 ninjas to choose from, allowing for diverse and exciting matchups.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 character select screen

Engaging and Dynamic Gameplay

Like its predecessors, Storm 4 features fast-paced, dynamic combat filled with spectacular jutsu. The game’s upgraded visuals and new effects enhance the intensity of battles. Jutsu now inflict status effects on character clothing based on their nature, such as fire jutsu setting opponents ablaze. Team battles allow for two support characters, adding another layer of strategy to combat.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 combat

Notable Improvements

CyberConnect2 incorporated player feedback, implementing new mechanics and refining existing ones. Players can now switch between the main character and support characters mid-battle, enabling diverse combo chains. The removal of instant Awakening Mode helps balance previously overpowered characters. The new Armor Break mechanic adds a layer of strategy, weakening defense but increasing attack power. Guard Break and Counterattack mechanics have also been refined, further balancing gameplay.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Armor Break mechanic

Room for Improvement

Despite the improvements, the vast character roster inevitably leads to some imbalances. Online Battles can become repetitive as players gravitate towards dominant characters like Naruto, Minato, and Uchiha clan members. The Story mode, while faithful to the manga, suffers from pacing issues due to extensive exposition. Online play is also hampered by occasional lag and disconnections.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 Main Menu

Conclusion

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 delivers a thrilling conclusion to the series, boasting impressive visuals, engaging gameplay, and notable improvements. However, character imbalances, pacing issues, and online connectivity problems prevent it from reaching its full potential. While Storm 4 offers a satisfying experience for fans, some areas could have benefited from further refinement.