14 DAY TRIAL // 
Playing the Story mode in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 might be the best introduction to the franchise for someone who has not yet been attracted to the original manga or the long-running anime series that are part of the same universe.
The battles are impressive, with a wide range of characters that each has a very complex set of moves that can be combined with up to two supporters, the cutscenes are long and filled with emotion, and there are plenty of collectibles and secrets to hunt for.
Fans of the Naruto universe can spend tens of hours engaged with the new Ninja Storm, which is the final installment in the series, and for those who become too good for the AI of the game, the Online is filled with willing and skilled opponents.
For newcomers, the experience can be a little confusing, but this is one of only a handful of video games that can draw an audience and keep them interested with the over-the-top action even if they do not get everything the narrative has to offer.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is developed by CyberConnect 2 and published by Bandai Namco and can be played on the PlayStation 4 from Sony, the Xbox One from Microsoft and on the PC.
Story
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is designed to cover the final story arcs of the manga on which it is based, which means that fans of the experience get to explore some of the events that they already know from another medium in a very participatory manner.
The Story mode of the game is the most interesting, especially for those who have limited information about the events that have taken place in the universe centered around the central cast of characters.
The Fourth Great Ninja War represents a clash between extremely powerful characters and the game manages to capture the over-the-top nature of the battles, constantly switching between perspectives and allowing gamers to experience plenty of events from the long history of Naruto, including the fall of Obito and the way Madara seeks to gain ultimate power for himself.
The Story mode features a lot of cutscenes and flashbacks, with some designed to resemble the manga on which the game is based and other created using the internal engine, and the avalanche of characters and dialog can be tough to follow for someone who is not already associated with the narrative.
Gamers would have benefited from some recaps, but it's interesting to try and piece together what is happening with limited prior knowledge, although the over-posturing and some of the longest cutscenes can be a little boring.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 also has an Adventure mode, which allows players to move across the world of the game after the story events to solve quests and reminisce about battles from the past, which comes complete with special conditions and can be pretty hard to complete.
As always in a fighting game, players also have the option of entering Free Battle, which includes one versus one and 3 vs. 3 matches as well as leagues, tournaments, and a tough survival challenge, which fully utilize the very large cast of characters.
Gameplay
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is a fighting game that takes place in small arenas, with players able to use a variety of attacks and some impressive special abilities to finish off their opponents and to achieve certain match-related objectives.
The game features a switching mechanics associated with the right stick on the controller, with characters swapping in and out of the battle on the fly, giving more options when it comes to successful attacks and special strikes.
The companions can also be called in for uncontrolled assists using the triggers, and all the features combatants have a wide range of styles and Awakening upgrades that they can employ, with some really over-the-top moves reserved for the protagonists of the series.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is very fast, and gamers will first have to master movement and positioning before they can learn how to best use their moves to break the armor off opponents and finally defeat them.
Characters can deliver a normal attack, ranged strikes and can also awaken when they have a spare moment to get access to ninja strikes, unique for each of them, and a chance to launch secret strikes that are spectacular.
One disappointment for the Story mode is that the development team has chosen to integrate a variation on Quick Time Events called Interactive Actions, which take control from the gamer during some of the most spectacular moments.
The positive side of this mechanic is that it makes it easier to see the unfolding spectacle and the crushing blows that the characters deliver, but there's also a downside: I felt separated from my fighter during the most important moments of their story arc.
“The computer has a tendency to play using a very evasive style, constantly moving around while using ranged attacks, engaging in close quarters combat only when it has timed its attacks just right, which can be a little annoying at times.”
The combat system initially seems easy to master, but it takes a lot of time to understand when it's a good idea to pepper enemies with long range attacks while staying clear of their assaults and when it's better to quickly close the distance to try a powerful set of moves.
The Story mode also has some difficulty spikes that can feel unfair, but CyberConnect 2 has created a system that allows players to always continue the battle, with the evaluation coming after each stage designed to push them to perform better.
Graphics and audio
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is a great-looking video game, with the development team clearly trying to replicate the style of the anime on which it is based while also adding some impressive touches of its own.
It's a pleasure to see the way each of the numerous characters approaches combat, and their secret attacks are a pleasure to see in action for the first time, and the cutscenes of the Story experience are also well integrated with the universe.
During the matches, there are times when the action gets so hectic that it's hard to follow everything happening on the screen, especially when characters are swapping in and out of combat and helpers are also active.
The audio is also top notch, staying as close to the anime as possible, with some booming sound effects during combat and with the narration delivered via the DualShock 4 speaker to make sure that players can listen to it during the general mayhem.
Multiplayer
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 offers a wide range of single-player content and gamers can spend tens of hours seeing everything the Story and Adventure have to offer, but there's a special thrill to going online to see how others play and which characters they prefer.
The network infrastructure is very solid, and it is easy to get matches at the moment, although it seems that most members of the multiplayer community have already honed their skills and have a real mastery of the mechanics, which leads to spectacular matches that for me always ended in defeat.
Gamers also have the options of customizing both their ninja info card and their favorite fighters using the collectibles that they can earn both online and offline.
The Good
- Deep Story mode
- Solid combat system
- Great art and sound design
The Bad
- Some overlong cutscenes
- Newcomers need a little more context
Conclusion
The Story mode is the most attractive element of the game for longtime fans of the anime series, and the dedication to detail when it comes to both story and visuals is impressive, fully using the power of the current generation of home consoles.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 could have tried to be a little more accessible to those who are not yet in love with the Naruto canon, but even they will be impressed by the combat sequences and intrigued to find out more about the main cast of characters.
