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If you're a Naruto fan, this sleek and stylish mobile game might be for you

If you're a Naruto fan, this sleek and stylish mobile game might be for you

Vote: (82 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: B24 Squad Inc

Version: 1.6

Works under: Android

Vote:

Program license

(82 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

B24 Squad Inc

1.6

Works under:

Android

Pros

  • Manga-style artwork
  • Tight controls
  • Challenging missions
  • Low system requirements
  • Relatively low amount of actual violence

Cons

  • May be too simple for some players
  • Those who aren't Naruto fans might not be able to follow the storyline

Ultimate Shippuden Ninja Impact Storm is a fighting game that's based on Kishimoto Masashi's popular action manga series. It stays true to the original storyline and features a wide variety of playable characters that are ripped straight from the pages of the comic. Players are put right in the shoes of one of the game's professional shinobi or kunoichi.

At first, you'll be simply tasked with defending your hidden village against an onslaught of attackers. In the Naruto universe, there are a series of hidden villages that are all set up to train ninja who defend the local countryside. You're free to select which village to represent, which helps to increase the replay value. Once you've finished one branch of the story, you can always opt to defend a different region.

Eventually, players will have the option of competing in different missions. Some of these can be quite challenging. Ninja Impact Storm will position players against increasingly difficult warriors, so you'll never feel like the game has gotten repetitive and simple. Notably, skilled players have the option of fighting against Jiraiya, who is considered one of the greatest shinobi in history. Those who complete all of the challenges will be awarded the title of Hokage, which means they'll have the full authority to run their own hidden village. They'll then get the opportunity to follow other adventures that occur in different locations.

Over 50 different characters from the Naruto manga appear in the game, of which 26 are playable. While it would have been nice to be able to play as every single one of them, a 26 ninja roster should be more than sufficient for all but the most dedicated gamers.

That being said, you'll probably start out playing as Uzumaki Naruto himself so that you can get a good feel for the game. He tends to be the most balanced character, which might be ironic considering his personality. Other fighters will have to be unlocked over time, but since the game is played like a traditional fighting game you won't end up feeling like you have to grind. You may even be able to unlock additional arenas as well as trophies that prove just how good of a virtual martial artist you've become.

Fighting games are normally somewhat difficult to play with touch screen controls, but Ninja Impact Storm is optimized for play on Android devices. You'll probably have to practice for a little while before you get used to the controls, but they'll become quite intuitive once you've mastered the basic movements. With the exception of a few specialty characters, all of the controls are tight and responsive so you won't have to worry about slipping around the screen if you don't hit one of the on-screen buttons square.

Players who might not have followed the original manga may feel a little lost, but they could eventually follow the story by paying attention to the progression of the game. The basic mechanics could be mastered by anyone who likes fighting games, so it'll probably enjoy a wider appeal than many anime-based games might. Long-time Naruto fans will especially like the title, however, since it incorporates so much content and backstory from the series.

All of the arenas and even the backgrounds are based around fictional locations from the manga. Fans will probably enjoy picking out each of the individual places as they travel between them to fight some of the top martial artists in the Land of Fire. It isn't just nostalgic appeal that attracts players to Ninja Impact Storm, however.

As far as Android fighting games go, the 3D graphics are actually top notch and beat out what you might see in many console titles based on licensed properties. While that might not be setting a very high bar, the game shouldn't disappoint fans of Kishimoto-sensei's art style. In spite of the powerful anime-style graphics engine, you shouldn't experience much in the way of lag even if you're playing on a slightly underpowered tablet.

Best of all, the violence level isn't actually all that high for a game about combat involving professional ninja warriors. That makes it suitable for younger fans, though it's also challenging enough for more mature players. Ninja Impact Storm is a great game for those who want something that could help ease them into playing more serious titles.

Pros

  • Manga-style artwork
  • Tight controls
  • Challenging missions
  • Low system requirements
  • Relatively low amount of actual violence

Cons

  • May be too simple for some players
  • Those who aren't Naruto fans might not be able to follow the storyline

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