Post by RPGfan on Jan 1, 2011 8:45:21 GMT -7
This is the first installment of a Game Knight Review.
This week we have the game called:
"Naruto Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3" by TOMY
Genre: Fighting
Release Date: November, 17, 2009
I know, it's a long name.
This however makes sense as this is the third installment of the Naruto Clash of Ninja Revolution series for the Nintendo Wii.
This game is actually the fifthth installment in the whole Naruto Clash of Ninja series started since The Nintendo Gamecube era. A little bit of history, Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2 was released in Japan in 2003, but it didn't reach The US until 2006. This pushed back the production of Clash 3 and 4 that were released in Japan by then. With the Wii already coming, they decided to wait until then to catch up with the Wii version of the Japan release.
Japan has a total of 8 Naruto: Clash of Ninja Games
US has a total of 5 Naruto: Clash of Ninja Games.
Either way, we finally caught up.
----GAMEPLAY---- 9/10
While this fighting game is based on the popular anime: Naruto Shippuden, the gameplay style is very unique. Combos are made by repeated same button inputs, as well as up, down, left, or right + button inputs. This may lead to hardcore gamers believing this is a button smasher game, in which inexperienced players can randomly press buttons and still do impressive combos. The combos vary from character to character, and with over 35 characters to choose from, there's bound to be a character that suits your combo style. Special Jutsus, or some special attacks utilize Chakra, which is spiritual energy in the Naruto world. you charge chakra by attacking or blocking. When your chakra meter is full, you can release awesome, cinematic, jutsus against your opponent that may turn the tide of battle around.
----GRAPHICS---- 10/10
The wii shows how good it can make a fighter look. The graphics are intensely greater than those on the Gamecube. Basically it is a 3D cel-shadded platform fighter, with 3D backgrounds and awesome landscapes. The Special Jutsus will blow your mind away. It looks just or even better than the anime.
----MUSIC---- 7/10
The music is memorable, but if a match lasts more than 3 minutes (which they do), it repeats, and it also begins anew at the beginning of a match, which may get somewhat annoying. Stages and characters have their own theme and are very catchy and well orchestrated.
----CONTROL----- 8/10
There's 4 ways to play. Classic Controller, Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuck, or wth a Gamecube Controller. I personally recommend the Gamecube Controller, since it is more responsive and easier to maneuver. There's a slight disadvantage though; using a wiimote + nunchuck allows you to make handsigns like in the anime to regain health or chakra. As well as increasing the amount of damage jutsus make when you enter cinematic sequences by moving the wiimote + nunchuk as directed on the screen. The wiimore + nunchuk also allows you to attack by swinging the wiimote left and right. I would give it a higher rating, but the advantage the wiimote has over the gamecube controller is absurd. My only complaint is to allow players to input buttons on the other controllers to increase damage during jutsu sequences. Just like they used in Naruto: Ultimate Ninja.
----STORY---- 6/10
The story is very short, the voice acting is sometimes awful, and because they use the sprites from the battle sequences, you can feel the characters to be quite stiff. There's no cutscenes or anime added in to keep you entertained. I like the different missions that they give you to finish a battle, but nothing amazing or challenging. It also includes fights or events that did not occur at all in the anime. It does not follow the original story very well. Being a fighting game, this does not need much of a story, but they could do a lot better.
----REPLAYABILITY----7/10
The story mode is short, and there's tons of things to be unlocked. You start with only 9 characters and you have to purchase the other 26. Battles don't give you much money to purchase unlockables, so you need to replay the story over and over. Or play different modes that give you less money than the story mode. There is however, the two player co-op mode that allows you to earn a lot of cash. So you need a partner to help you out. Or if you're on your own, being that this game is on the wii, it gives you online play. Which means you can play other people online and earn more than usual to buy the unlockables. This will take sometime, so it does involve a lot of replaya, but it becomes somewhat repetitive, and it gives the feeling of the creators just trying to not let you get rid of this game too soon.
----OVERVIEW----8/10
This game is the latest in the Naruto Clash of Ninja, so for Fighter and Naruto fans alike, I recommend it. The art and style is amazing, the fighting is unique, and it will keep you entertained for a good while. It seems it was intended for younger audiences, but hardcore gamers will find it addicting and hard to master.