STACK #136 Feb 2016

GAMES FEATURE

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The series is over but the storm rages on, writes Mark Ankucic.

GAMES

recreating those moments that made you fall in love with the series. None of this compromises the complexity or solid fighting mechanics, however. With the overwhelming amount of character choices (each with their own specials, fighting techniques and ranged attacks), the ability to pick and choose items to augment your play- style, and the constant back and forth of chakra management, Naruto can be exhausting to play. Anyone can play Ultimate Ninja Storm , but there will only be a few truly able to master it. This exceptionalism is almost expected from the Ultimate Ninja Storm Series. But now that Naruto is bursting onto current gen systems, the best in the fighting/brawler genre just got better. Combat feels like it has more impact; the animation is so silky smooth, Hugh Hefner could wear it as a bathrobe; and now that the Naruto series has wrapped up, they’ve compacted so much of the narrative it’s threating to collapse in on itself. Without a doubt, Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is the best the series has to offer. It’s enormous. It’s brimming with nostalgia and challenges to conquer. And thanks to the

reminiscing about accomplishments passed, and this, combined with the story mode, will bring newcomers to the series up to speed and provide an action-packed rehash for veterans. It’s one of the very few fighting games that’s able to mix gameplay with a transformative story. Prepare for heartbreak. Trials. Triumph. Loss. And safety in the knowledge that you didn’t have to watch hundreds of episodes of the anime to get to the same point. It could be argued that the game is actually a better experience. It’s one thing watching Naruto’s parents fight to the death to save his life, but it’s another thing entirely to be in the position where you’re actively fighting as Naruto’s parents to keep him alive. There’s also a nostalgic thrill to revisiting battles that took place so early in the anime, and the joy of

S cale isn’t generally a boasting point in a fighting game. Titles like Smash Bros. and Tekken hint at it in their own respective ways; the former, with changes to fighter sizes and the chaotic warping of stages, and the latter with a storyline that spans almost two decades. But neither of them can lay a finger on the enormity that Naruto can bring to the table. Even at its most basic level, every fight feels like a boss fight – Rock Lee opening the Eight Gates is just as intimidating as Naruto unleashing the Nine-Tails that resides deep within his soul. At its most epic levels, you’ll feel like the boss in the fight, attempting to crush some puny ninja in one demonic form or another. Other times, you’ll feel like a boss having a boss fight with yet another boss. Although the feeling of scale is never lost. Taking control of the giant toad Gamakichi against an even larger, deadlier foe feels like a clash of titans, rather than a simple upscaling of regular mechanics. Similarly, the enormity of the Naruto universe and narrative is perfectly captured. Travelling between villages in Adventure Mode is a bittersweet experience for fans that will instantly recognise the environment and the locals. To say it looks like the anime is an understatement – it allows you to live the anime. Trips to see familiar faces will lead to

Three facts about Naruto Naruto’s favorite ramen shop

“Ichiraku” exists in real life. Shikamaru’s IQ is above 200. In the anime, Naruto himself is voiced by a woman.

seemingly endless amount of side- missions, quests and chances to improve and take on ever more difficult battles, you’ll be able to sink hour after hour into it.

• Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is out Feb 5

FEBRUARY 2016

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