Naruto To Boruto: Shinobi Striker - IGN Review

Introduction to Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker

Hey guys! Let's dive into Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, a game that throws you headfirst into the ninja world with a unique twist. This isn't your typical Naruto adventure; it’s a team-based, online multiplayer brawler where you get to create your own ninja and battle it out with other players. Developed by Soleil Ltd. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the game distinguishes itself from other Naruto games with its focus on acrobatic combat and customizable characters. Released in 2018, it promised a fresh take on the beloved franchise, aiming to capture the essence of ninja battles in a dynamic, player-driven environment. But does it live up to the hype? Let's find out!

The game’s premise is simple but engaging: players create their own ninja avatar and join one of the eight mentors from the Naruto universe, including Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. Each mentor offers unique training and abilities, allowing players to specialize in different combat roles such as attack, defense, range, and heal. This system encourages experimentation and teamwork, as players must coordinate their abilities to achieve victory. The core gameplay revolves around completing missions and participating in online battles. Missions range from simple tasks like defeating waves of enemies to more complex objectives like capturing bases or escorting teammates. Online battles, on the other hand, offer a more competitive experience, pitting teams of four against each other in various game modes. With its emphasis on customization, teamwork, and fast-paced action, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker attempts to carve out its own niche in the crowded Naruto gaming landscape.

One of the game’s most notable features is its character customization. Players have a plethora of options to tweak their ninja's appearance, skills, and equipment. From hairstyles and clothing to jutsu and weapons, the possibilities are virtually endless. This level of customization allows players to create a ninja that truly reflects their personal style and preferences. However, the abundance of options can also be overwhelming, especially for new players. It takes time and effort to unlock all the customization options and find the perfect combination of skills and equipment. But for those willing to invest the time, the reward is a truly unique and powerful ninja. Furthermore, the game regularly introduces new customization options through DLC and events, keeping the experience fresh and engaging. Whether you want to create a carbon copy of your favorite Naruto character or design a completely original ninja, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker offers the tools and flexibility to do so.

IGN's Perspective

So, what does IGN think about Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker? Well, opinions are mixed, guys. While the game introduces some cool ideas, it also stumbles in a few key areas. IGN's review often highlights the game's unique combat system as both a strength and a weakness. The acrobatic maneuvers and fast-paced battles can be exhilarating, but the controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times. This can lead to frustrating moments, especially during intense online matches. Additionally, IGN often points out that the game's graphics and presentation are somewhat underwhelming. While the character models are faithful to the source material, the environments can feel bland and uninspired. This detracts from the overall immersion and makes the game feel less polished than other Naruto titles.

IGN also frequently comments on the game's online performance. While the game aims to provide a seamless online experience, it often suffers from lag and connectivity issues. This can be particularly problematic during ranked matches, where a stable connection is crucial for success. Furthermore, IGN notes that the game's matchmaking system can be unbalanced, often pitting experienced players against newcomers. This can lead to frustrating defeats and discourage new players from sticking with the game. Despite these criticisms, IGN acknowledges that Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker has potential. The game's unique concept and customizable characters offer a fresh take on the Naruto franchise. However, the game needs significant improvements in its controls, graphics, and online performance to truly shine.

IGN's final verdict often reflects this mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses. While the game is not without its flaws, it can still be enjoyable for Naruto fans who are looking for a different kind of experience. The game's emphasis on teamwork and customization can lead to memorable moments with friends. However, players should be aware of the game's technical issues and unbalanced matchmaking before diving in. Ultimately, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is a game that is best approached with cautious optimism.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Let's break down the gameplay, alright? The core of Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker lies in its 4v4 online battles. You team up with other players to take on opposing teams in various game modes. These modes include Capture the Flag, Base Battle, and Combat Battle, each requiring different strategies and teamwork. The combat system is designed to be fast-paced and acrobatic, allowing players to dash, jump, and wall-run around the arena. Mastering these movement techniques is crucial for survival and success.

Each player creates their own ninja avatar, choosing from one of four classes: Attack, Defense, Range, and Heal. Each class has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, as well as a selection of jutsu and weapons. Attack types excel at dealing damage and closing the distance on enemies. Defense types are tanky and can protect their teammates from harm. Range types specialize in long-range attacks and can control the battlefield from a distance. Heal types focus on supporting their teammates with healing and buffs. Choosing the right class for your playstyle is essential for contributing to your team's success.

Jutsu are special abilities that allow players to perform powerful attacks and support their teammates. Each jutsu has its own cooldown and chakra cost, so players must use them wisely. Jutsu can be unlocked by training with different mentors from the Naruto universe. Each mentor offers a unique set of jutsu that reflects their fighting style. For example, training with Naruto unlocks Rasengan and Shadow Clone Jutsu, while training with Sasuke unlocks Chidori and Fireball Jutsu. Experimenting with different jutsu is key to finding the perfect combination for your playstyle. Besides jutsu, players can also equip weapons and items to further customize their ninja. Weapons range from swords and kunai to scrolls and bombs, each with its own unique properties. Items can provide temporary buffs or debuffs, such as increasing attack power or slowing down enemies. Mastering the use of weapons and items can give you a significant advantage in battle.

Character Customization

One of the coolest aspects of Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is the deep character customization. Seriously, you can spend hours tweaking your ninja's appearance, skills, and equipment. The game offers a wide range of options for customizing your ninja's appearance, including hairstyles, clothing, and accessories. You can choose from a variety of pre-made options or create your own unique look. The possibilities are virtually endless. In addition to appearance, you can also customize your ninja's skills and abilities. As mentioned earlier, each class has its own unique set of jutsu and weapons. However, you can also unlock additional jutsu and weapons by training with different mentors. This allows you to create a ninja that is tailored to your specific playstyle. For example, you can create an Attack type ninja that specializes in close-range combat or a Range type ninja that excels at long-range attacks.

The customization options extend beyond just appearance and skills. You can also equip items that provide temporary buffs or debuffs. These items can be used to enhance your strengths or compensate for your weaknesses. For example, you can equip an item that increases your attack power or an item that reduces your damage taken. Mastering the use of items can give you a significant advantage in battle. The game regularly introduces new customization options through DLC and events. This keeps the experience fresh and engaging, giving you new ways to express your creativity. Whether you want to create a carbon copy of your favorite Naruto character or design a completely original ninja, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker offers the tools and flexibility to do so. The character customization is not just cosmetic; it also affects your ninja's performance in battle. The right combination of skills, equipment, and items can make a significant difference in your ability to defeat your opponents. Therefore, it's important to experiment and find what works best for you.

Online Experience

Alright, let's talk about the online experience. Since Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is primarily an online multiplayer game, the quality of the online experience is crucial. Unfortunately, this is one area where the game falls short. The game suffers from frequent lag and connectivity issues. This can be particularly frustrating during ranked matches, where a stable connection is essential for success. Lag can cause your inputs to be delayed, making it difficult to perform combos and react to enemy attacks. Connectivity issues can result in disconnects, which can cost you valuable points and rankings.

The matchmaking system can also be unbalanced. The game often pits experienced players against newcomers, which can lead to frustrating defeats. This can discourage new players from sticking with the game. A more balanced matchmaking system would help to create a more enjoyable experience for all players. Despite these issues, the online experience can still be enjoyable at times. When the connection is stable and the matchmaking is balanced, the game can be incredibly fun. Teaming up with friends to take on opposing teams is a blast. The game's fast-paced combat and customizable characters create a unique and engaging experience. However, the technical issues and unbalanced matchmaking can detract from the overall enjoyment.

To improve the online experience, the developers need to address the lag and connectivity issues. This could involve optimizing the game's netcode or improving the server infrastructure. Additionally, the developers should implement a more balanced matchmaking system. This could involve using a skill-based ranking system to ensure that players are matched against opponents of similar skill levels. By addressing these issues, the developers can create a more enjoyable and competitive online experience for all players. The online experience is a mixed bag, with moments of brilliance overshadowed by technical issues and unbalanced matchmaking. While the game can be fun when everything is working properly, the frequent problems can make it a frustrating experience. Addressing these issues is crucial for the long-term success of Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker.

Final Verdict

So, what's the final verdict on Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker? It's a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest. The game has some cool ideas, like the customizable characters and acrobatic combat, but it also has some significant flaws. The controls can feel clunky, the graphics are underwhelming, and the online performance is inconsistent. However, if you're a die-hard Naruto fan looking for a different kind of experience, it might be worth checking out, especially with friends. Just be prepared for some frustration along the way!

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is a game with potential, but it ultimately falls short of its goals. The game's unique concept and customizable characters offer a fresh take on the Naruto franchise. However, the game needs significant improvements in its controls, graphics, and online performance to truly shine. Despite its flaws, the game can still be enjoyable for Naruto fans who are looking for a different kind of experience. The game's emphasis on teamwork and customization can lead to memorable moments with friends. However, players should be aware of the game's technical issues and unbalanced matchmaking before diving in. Ultimately, Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is a game that is best approached with cautious optimism. It's not a perfect game, but it has its moments. If you're willing to overlook its flaws, you might find something to enjoy. But if you're looking for a polished and refined experience, you might want to look elsewhere.