E3 2015: ‘Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4’ Is As Over The Top, (And Over Dramatic,) As Ever!

So as you may or may not know, the main Naruto series wrapped up late last year. With the story coming to fruition, that leaves the video games wide open, with the ability to feature a full roster, expanded abilities, and some of the craziest jutsu’s you’ll likely ever see. Considering the Ultimate Ninja Storm series always manages to take things to an even higher level than its source material, and I knew that Storm 4, the upcoming title that looks to explore the finale of the Fourth Great Ninja War, would not disappoint. As expected, the E3 demo had more of everything when it came to its five playable characters. More moves, more awakenings, more flashbacks, more angst… It’s what we’ve all come to know and love about the Naruto franchise!

Having the option of fighting with up to two partners for support, Storm 4 doesn’t veer far from the game play of the previous games. Starting battles in a more dynamic way, with each team clashing at the center of the stage before the fight starts, each ninja will be able to mix up normal attacks, special attacks, substitution counters, and Ultimate Techniques to take out their opposition. Using techniques from the final chapters of the manga, characters like Obito debuts in his Six Paths form, while Edo Madara and Sasuke can each fight as or unleash their Susano ability, which results in some wildly over the top scenes. Even Sakura got a significant update, mirroring her crowning achievement in the final chapters. What adds an even more authentic touch, is like in previous games, defeating enemies with an ultimate jutsu results in a flashback, with the winning character delivering some inspirational, sometimes angsty internal dialogue. Just wait until they start crying blood!

Now that I mentioned it, fighting AS Susano is pretty great. As veterans might have figured, this is Madara and Sasuke’s Awakening ability, which is a powerful transformation that’s triggered when low on health and after the super meter is charged beyond capacity. Not allowing the Uchiha clan to have all the fun, Naruto can go full Nine Tails mode, firing off Bijuu Bombs like nobody’s business. Sakura’s chakra release reveals her full strength, with each landing blow resulting in an earth shaking pause. I have to say, watching Awakened Sakura in action was the highlight of my time, since the game finally captured how much of a badass she can be. Then again, it took almost 700 chapters for the manga to realize it, so the game gets a pass.

If you’ve played a Storm game before, you know what to expect, only now, with a bigger, better roster and move set. If you’ve never played them before, these games just might be the mindless, button mashing fun you’ve been looking for. Considering I’m still having so much fun with the game after I’ve played every one in the series since it debuted, it shows how much fun summoning a giant fox on top of ninjas can be.

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 wraps up the series this fall, for PS4 and Xbox One.