Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations Box Art

System: PS3*, Xbox 360
Dev: CyberConnect2
Pub: NAMCO Bandai
Release: March 13, 2012
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Cartoon Violence, Mild Language

Now, the Naruto anime and manga are normally told from Naruto's point of view. However, the story mode of the game tells the stories of other characters independent of Naruto. You'll be able to follow the adventures of loved side characters like Rock Lee and Kakashi during important events in the Naruto timeline. Once again, these events are animated by the official animation team and acted by the official voice actors. Not only that, but these side-stories are officially canon. They are aspects of the Naruto story that you can only see by playing this game. That alone makes this a must-have title for any Naruto fanatic.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations Screenshot

The game also has a fully implemented online mode, but the netcode isn't the best around. While you can join lobbies and voice chat, there are times when lag becomes noticeable even through local connections. Finding a match was also rather difficult, but that may have only been because the game was so new.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is easily the best Naruto fighting game to come out to date. The single-player alone makes the game worth buying, as it boasts one of the most competent and well-put-together story modes ever seen in a fighting game. The game system itself is complicated but easy to learn and accurately simulates an epic Naruto anime battle. Unfortunately, there are still some massive balance issues for some characters and the uses of the chakra button could have been planned out better, but these are just minor gripes. Though I wouldn't recommend this game to the serious tournament fighter that is looking to go to EVO this year, I'd easily recommend it to anyone who has even a passing interest in the Naruto series.

By
Angelo M. D'Argenio
Contributing Writer
Date: March 13, 2012

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.3

Graphics
The graphics in this game are rather impressive. It looks like an anime in motion.

3.5

Control
The controls scheme could have been better thought out, though it is responsive enough.

4.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Official voice actors and music from the anime? That's exactly what we want.

3.5

Play Value
The online seems buggy, though the single-player is astounding.

3.9

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Most characters of any Naruto title, spanning generations of characters in the series; 70+ playable characters and 15 support characters, includes characters from Storm 1, Storm 2, as well as new characters.

Over 60 minutes of all-new animated content from Studio Pierrot; includes anime content detailing the Naruto story from certain characters' points of view, many of which were never shown in the anime or manga!

Expansive new online modes; Online Battle Modes include Tournaments and Endless Battles. You can also view other players' battles in real time from the online lobby, or voice chat with other players during battle and in the online lobby.

Offline single-player mode detailing Naruto & Naruto Shippuden storyline. Players are treated to the same storyline they love from the anime and manga, as well as completely new content detailing the story from certain characters' points of view.

Avatar exchange system and Ninja Info Card system; exchange Ninja Info Cards and use abilities from the cards to power up characters, personalize nicknames, and card appearance.