 Review By: David Pulgar |
Developer: | CyberConnect2 |
| Publisher: | Namco Bandai | |
| Genre: | Fighting | |
| ESRB: | Teen | |
| # Of Players: | 1-2 | |
| Online Play: | No | |
| Accessories: | Memory Card | |
| Buy Now: |   |
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 is a frustratingly enjoyable game. Many times did I pull on my hair because the game’s mission restrictions make it tough to defeat the computer, but my repeated losses only fueled my desire to win, win, win. And win I did by using my brain. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 is a fighting game that forces players to think. Just like the ninjas of the Hidden Leaf Village, attacks must be chosen carefully to setup your opponent for defeat.
Whether in story mode, training, or versus modes, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2’s action takes place on varied combat stages. Fans of the Naruto series will recognize many familiar locations like the Chunin Exam Stadium and Ichiraku Ramen Shop, to name a few. What sets these environments apart from stages in games like Street Fighter or Dead or Alive is their interactive nature. Throughout a match, various destructible items appear that players can break open. Once these items are destroyed a power up appears that either player can pick up. Items range from health restoration to energy (chakra) restoration to unique items for use in combat. Some items increase your character’s attack strength or lower your opponent’s speed. Other items include bombs and poison gas grenades that slowly destroy an opponent’s health. There are even items to reduce or prevent usage of chakra, the energy players must consume to execute secret techniques and special attacks.
Combat stages also have at least two levels that can be traveled to by pressing the up or down arrow (depending on whether the area is above or below the player) and the “X” button. For example, while at the Great Naruto Bridge, players can switch from fighting on the bridge to fighting below it on the water’s surface. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 allows all characters to walk on water provided there is energy in the Chakra Bar. Without this energy, characters fall into the water and reappear in the next accessible level of that stage. Aside from water-walking characters can also run up walls, trees and other vertical structures. Lost chakra can be regained one of three ways: 1) pressing the down arrow to charge the Chakra Bar (which leaves you open to attack), 2) collecting chakra balls from a damaged opponent, or 3) picking up an item that restores chakra.
Like the combat stages, characters have an impressive amount of depth. The basic commands are jump (X), punch (circle), projectile attack (square) and secret technique (triangle). Players can also launch additional attacks by pressing the up or down arrows twice and then punch. These additional attacks vary depending on the character and helps set them apart. Secret techniques executed with the triangle button also vary depending on the character. Launching a secret technique activates mini-games that involve pressing a single button multiple times or entering a specific button combination. Winning these mini-games determines how much damage is dealt by the secret technique and if it continues to its next phase (secret techniques can have from two to four phases). Each secret technique has three power levels: red (level 1), purple (level 2) and blue (level 3). Blue is the strongest and does the most damage, but also consumes the most chakra. Emptying your Chakra Bar can be dangerous because, aside from water walking, escape techniques like the substitution jutsu require chakra. Aside from blocking attacks, it’s possible to escape damage by activating the substitution jutsu technique (L2 or R2) before an attack hits. This replaces a player’s character with a log and teleports you behind the opponent, a prime position for a counterattack.
So, with this well thought-out combat system, where does Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 become frustrating? It’s the story mode. Versus missions against the CPU in story mode can be incredibly difficult because of the mission restrictions. For example, some missions require players to defeat an opponent with increased attack and defense while retaining 30 percent of your life. Or players might have to simply survive for 30 seconds against an aggressive opponent without using chakra. Whatever the condition, sometimes it gets frustrating. You’ll breeze through several opponents only to find one that’s impossible to beat. However, this does prevent Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 from being too easy and forces players to hone their skills, improving their effectiveness for when they’ll face the unpredictable, non-CPU, flesh-and-blood human-being.
Mission restrictions aside, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2’s storyline follows the anime perfectly. Sequential battles unfold like the anime and let players fight with different key characters during their big scenes. In this mode, players can’t choose their character. Between story mode battles, players control Naruto and can navigate him through cel-shaded environments of the Naruto world where he can interact with characters from the anime. Some characters talk and provide tips, but others challenge Naruto to mini-games, like handstand races or a “cool pose” competition. Winning a mini-game rewards players with money that can be spent at the Tanzaku Market. In-game marketplaces like this are common in Japanese games based on anime. Here players can unlock TV voices and videos or purchase anime cards and statues that you can view at Naruto’s house. It’s a neat extra, but it doesn’t add anything to the game. Players also receive money from successful missions in any mode (versus or story) whether against the computer or another player. And the fun continues after the main story is completed too. Within the village, players can accept different ninja missions with restrictions to challenge even the most experienced players. Unfortunately, it’s in the story mode that players will also find some incredibly annoying load screens. They are frequent and really irritating.
Bottom Line:
Namco Bandai has succeeded where many game publishers have failed, and created an enjoyable game based on a popular television show. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 is something anyone can pick up. It doesn’t matter if you’re a long-time fan, or a person who’s never heard the word “ninja.” It also doesn’t matter if you’re a gamer. Even my girlfriend, a woman with significantly less fighting-game experience than myself, has handed me my ass more than once. But if you are a fan, this game is a MUST. It follows the Naruto storyline and captures the essence of each character with their signature moves and in-game mannerisms. For Naruto fans wanting to experience life in Konoha without dressing up for anime conventions and dealing with smelly people, buy Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2.| Pros: | Cons: | Final Score: |
|---|---|---|
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| 7.5 |
Posted: 2007-07-19 20:00:06 PST