It’s been 6 years since the latest installment of the Naruto Storm franchise released. While Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is the next game that launched 2 years later and still gets content till this day, Storm fans have been wondering if there will ever be another title. Those worries came to an end when news came up recently that Bandai Namco had filed a trademark for “Ultimate Ninja Storm CONNECTIONS” in Europe. While older players grew excited, many newcomers wondered which of the 4 main Naruto Storm games should they play. Let’s go over each Naruto Storm game to help you make the decision.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
Naruto Storm 1 evolved the use of cel-shaded graphics in anime games. The smooth movement it provides compliments the graphics to make for a more immersive experience.
Wall running, jutsu clashes, transformations, and support characters add on to the experience in combat. You can also freely roam the open world and fight boss battles that are filled with quick time events.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2
Naruto Storm 2 made improvements from Naruto Storm 1 by adding an online mode. Play a casual match or enter a ranked match to challenge players around the world. More characters are introduced into this installment, including Lars Alexanderson from the Tekken series. However, CyberConnect2 removed jutsu clashing and wall running from the games going forward.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3
Naruto Storm 3 took from Naruto Storm Generation’s combat, which completely evolved the gameplay in many ways, and adds on to it. In the previous Naruto Storm games, players could instantly break out of a combo or hit by using their chakra meter but in Storm 3, you use the substitution bar instead. Topple that with them adding that you can cancel your combos into super attacks or another combo using your chakra meter, meter management is a serious skill in this game. Also, Storm 3 allows you to do more with your team by adding a team ultimate jutsu. The game has a team gauge that fills up when you use supports and when it finishes, you can use a team ultimate jutsu that shows a flashy cutscene of you and your 2 supports fighting the opponent.
Online features are improved as well by adding a tournament mode and lobby mode. This makes it to where you and a group of friends can collectively play the game together and spectate matches.
Also important to note that Storm 3 went back to having free roam story mode after Generations went for a different approach by having purely just anime cutscenes and images.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
Storm 4 adds rounds to battles like a traditional fighting game and allows you to switch characters during fights. This game also brings back the counter mechanic from Storm Revolution The spectator option is removed from this game.
Conclusion
Hopefully having a good look at the overview of the Storm games above gives you an idea of what Naruto Storm game should you play and what kinds of things you would want in a Storm game for the future.
Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm: Trilogy gives you access to Naruto Storm 1, 2, and 3 and is available on PS4/PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. Naruto Storm 4 is available on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Steam.
