It’s not often that anime-based games are particularly good. Mixing this genre with fighting games makes finding treasure even more difficult. However, one series that has maintained consistently good quality without reaching the category of a masterpiece is Naruto. The latest game is part of the Ultimate Ninja Storm series, which hasn’t seen a new title since Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 almost eight years ago. Shippūden was abandoned in favor of a slightly more father-son relationship with Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections.
The game is a kind of homage to Naruto, as it has been 20 years since the anime premiered. Therefore, it contains stories from all titles in the game series. It’s a little sad that the gaming experience never really took off. At first glance everything seems very promising. Over 130 playable characters, which is crazy. A story mode that spans from Naruto’s childhood to his final battle in Naruto Shippuden, all told with anime sequences and battles. There is also a new story surrounding Boruto, created specifically for this game by series creator Masashi Kishimoto. That’s all very good. But when you scratch the surface, problems begin to emerge.
First of all, the combat system hasn’t undergone any major changes since its introduction 15 years ago. Of course there have been additions and deletions, but overall it remains the same. We fight in a large, open area with our ninja attacks. It doesn’t matter which character you choose to suit your play style, as the buttons in Naruto x Boruto are the same regardless of the character (albeit with different animations). Press B (on Xbox and its equivalent on other platforms) repeatedly to perform simple hits, eventually leading to an automatic combo. Press X for ranged attacks. This is necessary because computer-controlled opponents love to run to the other side of the arena. Press Y, Y, B for the secret technique and so on. The best thing to do is choose your favorite anime character and play it. However, some of the combinations offer really nice scenes, which unfortunately become a bit boring if you almost always play with the same character.
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What really shines in Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is the tough, balanced fights that feel more like a chess game. Because it’s not just about fighting and looking cool. As the word ninja suggests, there are tools and techniques you can use. Each character has three different ninja tools, such as a bomb that explodes when it hits the enemy, a weapon that poisons, attack boosts, and more. A well-planned use of one of these can turn a battle around. But it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Chakra is required to use special attacks, and when it runs low, so are the special attacks. The same applies to defensive play. It is possible to completely end an attack or combo with the press of a button and thus move behind the opponent. This can only be done four times before the meter needs to be refilled. When it’s empty, you just have to sit back and enjoy getting hit yellow and blue. The ability to simplify everything has also been added, allowing characters to control themselves at the touch of a button. You decide when to run, attack and use special attacks. Of course, this is aimed at players unfamiliar with the genre, but the level of assistance from the assistants can be adjusted. Wizards are also the two supporting characters that can be brought into battle. In addition to your main fighter, you can choose two companions who can be summoned for additional attacks. You can also switch fighters completely and fight as one of the other two if you want.
The two story modes are a bit disappointing. Story Mode is exactly what it sounds like: a review of the entire Naruto series. Unfortunately, most of them are still images with sound. It would have improved the quality significantly if full sequences were included. There are eight chapters and they all follow the same pattern. It is a short story, one or more battles, flashbacks and repetitions. The battles have some requirements that are about winning first, but then you can unlock various cosmetic things if you have more than 60% health left and other things. The second story mode, on the other hand, focuses on Boruto, and what I’ll remember most is that VR is dangerous. Boruto and his friends have chosen the VR game Ninja Heroes, in which they choose an avatar, complete missions and fight. Every session in this MMO makes you feel sick, and after a while it’s rumored that players are forced to visit hospitals. Of course, this is a conspiracy by the villains of the story, the Zero Gang, with the aim of taking over the world. In Ninja Heroes you can choose any character in the game to fight as, which is a shame when we could have had something great with Boruto. Of course, shenanigans happen in the real world at some point and the story gets much better after a while, with a full-scale war in the ninja world.
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Half of Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections celebrates both the 20th anniversary of Naruto as an anime and the 15th anniversary of the Ninja Storm series. There are so many characters it’s dizzying, and the interludes between battles are magnificent, beautiful and elegant. In some ways it still feels like I’ve experienced the battles before, with some minor updates. Big fans of the series will continue to have fun and experience a completely new story.
