Developer: Cyber Connect 2 Co., Ltd.
Publisher: NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
Rating Guide: How I Review Games

Gameplay, Graphics and Sound

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 follows the path and fate of Sasuke and Naruto.  It has an Adventure Mode that takes you on a journey through some pretty cool story arcs.  I won’t spoil it but if you’ve seen the anime series, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise.  Adventure Mode takes you through the story and provides a place that initiates each fight sequence.  As you travel through the world and take on missions, you’ll be thrust into fighting and training matches throughout.

The side quests in Adventure Mode are plentiful so you’ll have quite a bit to waste time on.  The meat of the game though is in its fighting and this game provides some of the most chilling moments in the fighting genre to date.  The fights just look so epic when you’re pulling off all the special power moves.  It’s like you’re taking part in the anime series and controlling the show.  The one thing I didn’t like about the game (and the previous ones) is the constant travel.  You have to walk and jump and walk and jump your way to every mission or destination.

I wish there was some sort of quick travel spot.  It gets really tiring and frustrating especially when missions are spaced far apart.  But you’ll march on because you have to unlock all the fighters.  Why can’t I have all the fighters from the start though?  Outside of dedicated fans, I don’t know if there’s enough to keep new fans to the genre playing long enough to unlock everyone.  This is an unfortunate consequence of a game like this.  It’ll have its fans but then it’ll be a tough sell to anyone who hasn’t followed the anime.

The one thing that stands out immediately with Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 is just how beautiful it is in recreating the anime series.  The real-time CG animation is amazing.  The game looks great in its fighting sequences.  If you’ve never watched an episode of Naruto, you’ll be captured at how this game is presented and you’ll find yourself deep in the story.  On top of how well designed the game is, it does the fighting genre very proud with is fighting system.

Let me just warn you…it’s both an easy to control system yet a tough one to master.  You can easily pick up and do the usual buttom mashing and analog stick swinging that most of us do.  And if you want to master every cool move in the game, you can instead practice and learn each fighter’s combinations/powers moves.  Try combining different normal attacks with Chakra attacks or figure out how to cancel out a fighter’s special with a certain item…there’s depth baby.

Outside of Adventure Mode, there’s Free Mode for you to play with.  You can fight the battles as you see fit and just enjoy the game without the story basically.  And yes you can unlock characters in Free Mode as well.

Xbox LIVE Extras

I have to warn you again.  Players online are ridiculously good in this game.  I’m all for online battles but wow do these guys take this game seriously.  You can go head to head with any of the characters and you had better know your stuff when you do.  I’m happy about the game being online but there should be a way to find people with no skills versus those who have ridiculous skills.

Conclusion

The people who have followed Naruto over the years will find plenty of awesomeness in this game.  Even if you don’t follow the series or the games, you’ll enjoy kicking some butt in this game because the fighting is one of the best in the genre.  And the game is just beautiful.

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 does several things better than before making it a worthwhile sequel.  If you don’t mind jumping your way to every destination, then hey…have at some Ramen noodles and enjoy the game!