Written by Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker
Developer: Soleil Ltd.
Publisher: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment
Price: $59.99
Genre: Action
Also Available On: Steam, XB1
When Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 was released on the PlayStation 4 and XBox One in early 2016, owners of current-generation consoles had high expectations. It wasn’t just that the revered manga and anime series deserved an auspicious debut on the aforesaid platforms. More importantly, it was that they figured CyberConnect2’s extensive experience developing previous releases, as well as stellar track record with the .hack franchise, would translate to a title worthy of its storied roots. And, as things turned out, they were right; the result was a fighting game that boasted of content and gameplay depth, and that prompted success at the tills.
Considering that Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 has managed to sell north of three millions physical and digital copies to date, the release of a followup title comes as no surprise. Even as the intent is to keep the gravy train going, however, Bandai Namco Entertainment evidently believes it can do so by taking a road the Naruto franchise hasn’t previously traversed. Instead of dipping into the same well by making a game with similar mechanics, it commissioned the development of one thoroughly made up of action real-time strategy elements.
Why Bandai Namco Entertainment chose to green light a dramatic shift in tone is subject to conjecture. Perhaps it didn’t want Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker to cannibalize continuing sales of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. Perhaps it thought to see if it could create a spinoff for one more profit center. In any case, it wisely chose to distinguish the already existing from the new by marketing the latter as a Boruto title. It even emphasized the distinction by tapping little-known Soleil as the developer.
Creditably, the finished product proves competent in what it delivers. In a nutshell, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is a multiplayer online battle arena stalwart, getting players to employ characters as part of a team of four taking on any and all comers in a world tournament. There isn’t much by way of a narrative; as with all MOBA offerings, the meat is in the fighting, whether in straight-up encounters, in capture-the-flag scenarios, or in base battles.
Parenthetically, characters can be created or chosen from among a lineup of 20 familiar protagonists from the Naruto franchise. Starting from scratch is the ideal option; everything from appearances to attributes can be customized. Players can make their ninjas look as they please and wear what they want, and, most importantly, fight according to their preferences. The choice of specific skill sets yields four distinct orientations, although a team doesn’t necessarily have to be composed of one character each from the attack, defense, ranged, and heal types.
If anything, victory in Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker emanates from a willingness to experiment with style collaborations, and to do so on the fly. Meanwhile, the number of techniques at hand depends on abilities and experience, with characters able to add to it after level-ups and through focused training and assistance from masters they meet within the game. The key, of course, is to amass enough energy to unleash special and ultimate ninjutsus for maximum effect.
As with any other fighting game, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker demands from players a constantly improving level of expertise. In this regard, it provides a “Arena VR” mode that enables them to increase their fighting proficiency through the use of non-reactive targets. Additionally, its single-player endeavors prove useful only insofar as they allow the sharpening of techniques and unlocking of more VR missions that provide even more opportunity for practice.
As a corollary, the emphasis on honing skills isn’t for fluff. Proficiency in the execution of basic and advanced attack and defensive maneuvers is required in multiplayer combat. With online matchmaking unable to group characters with others from similar levels, battles become exercises in frustration for those in the lower of 25 possible rungs. Thusly, continuous improvement away from tournament participation is crucial to progression.
Given the demands of Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker’s frenetic action, its no small feat to find the visuals rendered at 60 frames per second. The cel-shaded graphics and voice and music tracks pay homage to their source material, no doubt a plus for fans of the franchise. And while waiting times between online matches can vary, the actual battles proceed with relative smoothness.
In sum, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is a competent offering that expands the franchise’s reach. With Bandai Namco Entertainment aiming to periodically put out more content for the title, it has planted its feet in MOBA territory with every intent to stay. And as Boruto’s presence in the source material becomes more pronounced, so does the promise of videogame licenses in his name.
THE GOOD
- Multiplayer mayhem from the Naruto franchise
- Balanced progression among four distinct classes
- Extensive customization options
- Visually pleasing art style and soundtrack faithful to source material
THE BAD
- Single-player mode a veritable throw-in
- Steep learning curve
- Iffy matchmaking
RATING: 7.5/10
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