Description
NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja STORM is a fighting and adventure game developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Originally released in 2008 for the PlayStation 3 (and later for other platforms in remastered versions), it is the first title in the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja STORM series, based on the popular manga and anime Naruto created by Masashi Kishimoto. The game combines dynamic 3D combat with a narrative faithful to the original story, covering the events from the anime's initial arc to the Sasuke recovery arc.
Main Features
- Story and Gameplay Mode:
- The game allows players to relive iconic moments from the Naruto anime, starting with the formation of Team 7 (Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi) and progressing through events like the Chūnin Exams, Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha, and the final battle between Naruto and Sasuke at the Valley of the End.
- The Ultimate Mission Mode is the main story mode, where the player controls Naruto Uzumaki in an explorable Konoha village, interacting with NPCs, completing missions, and unlocking plot events. The missions vary between fights, exploration tasks, and minigames, such as races or collection challenges.
- The narrative is presented with high-quality cutscenes, mixing animations made by CyberConnect2 with clips from the anime, providing an immersive visual experience.
- Combat System:
- The game introduces a 3D arena fighting system, allowing free movement in expansive environments like forests, villages, or open fields.
- Combats are based on combos, ranged attacks (such as shurikens or kunais), and special techniques (jutsus). Each character has a unique set of abilities, reflecting their characteristics in the anime (for example, Naruto uses the Rasengan, while Sasuke uses the Chidori).
- The Support system allows players to call allies during battle to perform combined attacks or defend the player, adding strategy to the confrontations.
- Awakening is a feature that activates a special state for certain characters, such as Naruto with the power of the Nine-Tails, increasing damage and temporarily altering abilities.
- Characters:
- The game offers an initial roster of 25 playable characters, including Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, Rock Lee, Neji, Gaara, Itachi, among others. Each character has animations and moves faithful to the anime.
- Some versions of the game (such as remasters) may include additional characters or alternate costumes.
- Graphics and Presentation:
- Developed with a cell-shading style, the game recreates the vibrant visual of the anime, featuring bright colors, smooth animations, and detailed environments that reflect iconic locations from Naruto, such as the Hidden Leaf Village and the Chūnin Exam Arena.
- The soundtrack uses original tracks from the anime, complemented by exclusive compositions, creating a nostalgic atmosphere for fans.
- Exploration and Konoha Village:
- Outside of fights, players can explore a 3D version of the Hidden Leaf Village, interacting with characters, buying items (such as scrolls or accessories), and unlocking side missions.
- The village serves as a central hub, with areas like the Ninja Academy, Ichiraku Ramen shop, and the Forest of Death, all faithfully recreated to match the anime.
- Additional Modes:
- Versus Mode: Allows local or online battles (in later versions) between two players, with free selection of characters and scenarios.
- Training Mode: Helps players master the controls and combos of each character.
- Side Missions: Include challenges like collecting items, facing enemies in sequence, or completing objectives with time restrictions.
Technical Aspects
- Platforms: Originally released for PlayStation 3, the game has been included in remastered collections, such as Naruto: Ultimate Ninja STORM Trilogy, available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
- Controls: The game uses intuitive controls, with simple combinations for basic attacks, jutsus, and dodges, making it accessible for beginners but with enough depth for experienced players.
- Duration: The main story mode takes about 10 to 15 hours to complete, with additional hours for side missions and unlocking extra content, such as characters and items.
Positive Points
- Faithfulness to the anime, with an engaging story and well-produced cutscenes.
- Dynamic and accessible combat system, with 3D arenas that provide freedom of movement.
- Exploring Konoha Village adds immersion for fans.
- Graphics in cell-shading that capture the anime's visual style.
Negative Points
- Exploration in the village may feel repetitive to some players, with side missions lacking variety.
- The initial character roster is limited compared to later games in the series.
- The online mode (in remastered versions) can suffer from connection issues or lack of players in some regions.
Target Audience
The game is ideal for fans of Naruto who want to relive the anime's story interactively, as well as for players who enjoy fighting games with adventure elements. Its accessibility makes it suitable for casual players, while the combat system offers depth for those looking to master the mechanics.