The last time we left Naruto was in September 2014 with Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution, an episode that was altogether successful despite the absence of its Story mode, replaced at short notice by a World Ninja Tournament which we still looking for interest today. There had been this little original aside with Mecha-Naruto, but there again, his presence had remained anecdotal. Wise decision then on the part of CyberConnect2 to impose a longer gestation for Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, which also made the – very good – choice to skip the PS3 / Xbox 360 generation in favor of new consoles, thus offering developers new tools for their playground. But if there is one part that has focused all the efforts of the teams at CyberConnect2, it is the Story mode which is making a comeback. The story picks up where Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 left off, that is to say during the mythical confrontation between Hashirama Senju (the 1st Hokage) and Madara Uchiha during their lifetime. Along with this, the Fourth Great Ninja War rages on and Naruto has finally broken Tobi's mask, revealing to the world that it was only Obito Uchiha, the former teammate and best Kakashi's friend, left for dead many years ago. These two stories conducted simultaneously and in parallel form the basis of this new Story mode, which has the knack of evolving on a magnificent line of calligraphy that the player unlocks as he progresses. Each stage then makes it possible to relive the key moments of the last moments of the manga and this until its epilogue, when Naruto finally becomes Hokage of his village once an adult.
FULL OF EMOTIONS
Cut into 34 distinct points, the Story Mode therefore follows the script written by Masashi Kishimoto to the letter, which finally delivers all the answers we have always been waiting for. Everything is told to us, whether it is about this Great War which is raging, to the past stories which led to such a dramatic outcome. For example, we can relive the last mission where Kakashi was still forming a shock team with Lin and Obito, before the latter was left for dead in combat, just like this strong moment when the road of Hashirama and Madara, also two former comrades, separates; one borrowing the voice of wisdom, while the other preferring to sink to the dark side of the chakra. The player is then transported into fights that he must win to unlock the rest of the events. CyberConnect2 has also played the variety card, just to offer something other than classic combat (with however an exceptional staging only valid in Story Mode – Special mention to the decor where you can see Kyubi in the background Kurama fight with Harashima's Mokuton Summon). It will indeed not be uncommon to take control of a Biju or an invocation, for example, for highly more impressive confrontations. To do this, the use of QTEs (a great specialty at CyberConnect2) is still relevant, and even if missing them does not harm the outcome of the events, bonuses are offered to those who manage to trigger them as soon as possible. as quickly as possible. If necessary, we unlock small hidden sequences that are added to what is happening on the screen. The kind of treats that the fan obviously cannot miss.
Cut into 34 distinct points, the Story Mode therefore follows the script written by Masashi Kishimoto to the letter, which finally delivers all the answers we have always been waiting for.
In addition to these sequences of beatings, each more impressive than the other, the player is also delighted by numerous cutscenes, using either the game engine or by drawings made especially for the game. still images that have been brought to life through clever subterfuge, such as camera movements (always very dynamic) and animated special effects. Obviously, we would have liked to have the right to real sequences from the cartoon, but the result is nevertheless very successful, and above all manages to immerse us completely in the story. Which in my opinion is the main thing. The immersion is also complete and total thanks also to the care that has been taken in the dressing of this Story mode, illustrated by magnificent prints represented as real paintings in a very Japanese style. CyberConnect2 has also had the great idea of integrating a lot of very useful information, such as a written summary, the game time needed to complete a chapter, the stats of the progress of the story in real time but also the possibility of accessing a tutorial, which also gives details on the objectives of the fights, the details of the bonuses obtained, the results, etc. By doing our calculations, it takes about 405 minutes to overcome this Story Mode, or just under 7 hours of play, including cutscenes. Frankly, it's rather comfortable. Of course, once the Story mode is over, it is quite possible to come back to a particular point, such as watching a cutscene again, replaying a match for better results, or simply impressing the passing buddy at the House. No, there's no doubt, CyberConnect2 has done an excellent job on this side and we finally understand better why Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 was released in February 2016 and not in September 2015 as originally planned. The other flagship manga licenses such as Dragon Ball Z and Saint Seiya, which have been bathed in mediocrity for too long, should take the seed.
THE BIG STORM
If the Story mode is obviously the main interest of this Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm, CyberConnect2 did not stop there and even had a generous hand in reintroducing the "Adventure" mode. This is neither more nor less than the mode that made Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 famous, released on PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2010, and which gives the game a not unpleasant RPG side. Concretely, the player finds himself in control of Naruto, a few weeks after the end of the Fourth Great War (he has his right forearm bandaged), and will have to set out again on many side missions. Generally accompanied by several characters (it may very well be Sakura, Hinata or other ninjas), Naruto can then browse the world around him as he sees fit. We obviously start in the village of Konoha (stuffed with NPCs ready to ask him the slightest reulou service), but it is then possible to go to the hidden village of Sand, that of Rain, go for a walk in the lair of 'Orochimaru or stroll through the various forests on offer. Each place gives access to an incredible amount of quests (not always very interesting, it's true), but in terms of lifespan, you get what you pay for. In fact, we could consider the Adventure mode as a special cartoon, with a lot of content, sometimes very interesting, sometimes boring to death.
If the Story mode is obviously the main interest of this Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm, CyberConnect2 did not stop there and even had a generous hand in reintroducing the "Adventure" mode.
On the other hand, it should not be forgotten that the Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm series is above all a fighting game and its very recent attraction for eSports is not insignificant. Here again, CyberConnect2 was not stingy with the possibility of offering two modes intended for pure and hard fight: Free Combat and Online Combat. In Free Combat, you have the choice between classic Versus, Training and Free, which for the latter is none other than a "Tournament" mode, allowing you to oppose 4 teams of three characters. There are then two other modes, reserved for character customization. At any time, it is possible to customize the features of these favorite fighters, whether it is swap items or fatal blow images. There are also a number of items available, but also many others to unlock (but also to buy via the Bandai Namco store) by going to the "Collection" part of the game. Ah, micro-transactions, Naruto also succumbed to it. Obviously, these characters shaped to our preferences can then be reused in the online mode, just to distinguish themselves from the mass of players connected, and this for more than a week already. In this regard, be aware that the netcode of Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is exemplary (at least on PS4, the platform on which we tested the game), with a stability that was never lacking during our test phases. Also note that an update, aimed at improving the online experience, has been available since yesterday. This is version 1.02.
NOT JUST FOR NOOBS
Now that we have reviewed all the content of the game, let's come to the gameplay, which has also undergone some readjustments since the previous episode. If the fights always take place in teams of two or three (the choice is left to the player), it is now possible to swap leaders in the middle of the game. This means that the characters you have chosen to support can now actually take part in combat. Not only does this considerably change the constitution of a team, but you can now benefit from a full health gauge per protagonist. A radical change which therefore introduces an even more strategic dimension to the fights, especially since it is possible to combine combos, for even more damage and spectacular attacks. Of course, to avoid any abuse, a cooldown system has been put in place, just to allow some respite before switching characters. The Awakening mode is also one of the features that benefits from the introduction of permutation, since by awakening the ultimate chakra of his character, each member of the selected team then benefits from his ultimate transformation as soon as we decide to pass from one to the other. Basically, if you wake up with Naruto and have Sasuke in support, by passing the latter as the leader, he will appear directly as Susano. Convenient for getting the opponent out of the way.
If the fights always take place in teams of two or three (the choice is left to the player), it is now possible to swap leaders in the middle of the game.
Another addition in the gameplay, and which also has a close link with the leader switch, is the possibility of damaging the costumes and other armor of the fighters. It looked like a simple cosmetic gimmick, but being stripped of his clothes puts the player in a more vulnerable position. The hits received cause much more damage, all the more reason, for example, to change characters. Similarly, all fire attacks now have a more destructive effect, in the sense that a player hit by flames will stay on fire for a few seconds, lowering their health bar. There are then three ways to put out the fire on yourself: make quick movements, jump into the water if the scenery allows it, or change characters. In short, you will have understood, more than ever, the fights take on a more strategic dimension in Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. Speaking of interactive scenery (with the fleet which can now extinguish the flames), know that the choice of environments can affect the outcome of a fight. Depending on the element (water, earth, lightning, fire) affiliated with the powers that a character possesses, the decor can then grant him advantages or conversely make him more vulnerable to certain attacks. It is then up to the players to make strategic choices based on favorable environments for Doton, Katon or Futon. But that's not all, for the very first time in the series, the sets are destructible. CyberConnect2 has finally taken into consideration the feedback from gamers who have been asking for this addition for many years already. Here, on the other hand, it is above all a question of immersion than of a real impact on the outcome of a confrontation, but damn it, it was time!
