Same multiplayer game as Narutimate Hero 3 with 12 additional characters.
The fourth game of it's kind on the PS2, this game follows the same dual-layered, side-scrolling action of it's predecessors. All of the characters in Narutimate Hero 3 are in Shippuuden which is both disappointing and gratifying at the same time. If you've been playing the same characters over and over, have no fear, the same move-list is still in tact, but if you were looking for a change you'll have to stick to the Shippudden cast.
The new animations for the Shippudden-era characters are jaw-dropping. If you've seen any of the leaked gameplay photage then you should know what to expect, if you haven't you're in for a treat. The "leveled-specials" from Narutimate Hero 1 are back; meaning there's more than one special depending on whether you've made an impressive attack combo or your health is low, etc. (so not as simple as just having a certain amount of chakara, although that has a part in it as well cause without it you can't perform the specials).
The single-player is incredibly repetitive which missions include, "Fighting this many people to complete the mission," etc. The music is where the game drops. In the anime this music is a breath of fresh air to the Naruto franchise making the show seem "epic" but it doesn't suit the gameplay at all. My question is if they re-hashed the animations, skillsets and the soundFX from the 50 or so pre-Shippuudden characters, why didn't they keep the music too?
To recap:
- Graphics and animations are amazing, you almost catch yourself wondering if it's a next-gen game.
- No new animations or skillsets for the previous 50 characters of the game's history.
- Music score is just too orchesteral for a game of this kind and doesn't flow with the gameplay.
- Single player is boring and repetitive but necessary to unlock all the characters.
Worth getting if you love the previous games and the new Shipuudden anime but only expect to have your mind blown away with the Shipuuden-era characters, all others you've seen it before.