Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2

"Very fast, very stylish, and very fun"

Based on the hit anime and manga, Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen 2 is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor. Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen suffered from a fidgety camera, tiny roster, and a lack of varying modes. The sequel has taken most of the problems and improved upon them significantly.

Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen 2 is a well-balanced fighter with a flair that will make anyone look. While there are many finer points such as the unique countering system that a fighting veteran can enjoy, the game isn't an impossibly daunting chore for beginners. Anyone can play Naruto 2 and enjoy themselves. Where in the predecessor, a single character was clearly dominant, the sheer variety of characters in the sequel keeps the game more balanced. Naruto 2 also has a style all its own. The rapid pace ensures that the brawling rarely ever gets dull. With a greater selection of characters, each with unique styles and attacks taken straight from the source material, the conflicts are always interesting to see. Lots of different items are used to attack, from dogs, needles, and head cleavers to puppets, shurikens, snakes, and sand. Like many fighting games, Naruto 2 has a meter that charges with each hit. When full, a powerful special attack can be unleashed. The specials are truly a sight to behold! For the most part, the specials simply inflict damage (with a couple of exceptions), but they are all very entertaining and incredible to watch.

There are many different modes and special options to keep the game fresh. Up to four players can fight at a single time with any mix of computers and humans. One on one, two on two, three against one, and a four-way free-for-all--the teams can be split any way desired. Of course, a classic arcade mode is included that progresses through ten battles. Twenty story mode battles are initially available with more that can be unlocked. The story mode goes through a large portion taken straight from the anime/manga. As story mode nears the end, it can get fairly difficult. Where the earlier stages could be finished with simply rushing the opponent, the later stages require patiently blocking and waiting for a hole in the opponents attacks. While none of the stages are interactive, there are quite a few of them and they all faithfully (and beautifully) recreate an area from the story. In most of the game modes, special scrolls can be used to alter the gameplay. These scrolls can do many things. From small feats like removing all of the screen clutter the significant advantages like locking your opponents special. These scrolls can be purchased in the games shop. After every session, the game awards a certain amount of money that can be spent at the store. The store houses many treats like the scrolls, new characters, new stages, new game modes, character bios, sound tests, and more. Along with a couple of hidden modes, time attack, training and survival mode round out the gameplay very nicely.

Naruto is a young boy who lives in a troubled land. He lives in the Hidden Leaf village, one of many ninja villages in the world. These villages are often in conflict with one another and must depend on the strength of their ninjas to stabilize themselves. Due to this system, children are trained from an early age to fight for their homes and to be tools for the greater good. Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen 2 recounts how Naruto begins his service as a ninja and where that life leads him.

While the graphics haven't improved since Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen, they don't need to. All of the characters are gorgeously cel-shaded. All of the motions are fluid and there's rarely ever a hint of slowdown. Sometimes, there will be a little slowdown if a lot is happening during a four-player match. There are also a few clipping errors but not much to speak of. Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen 2 has superbly animated characters with stunning effects for the special attacks. All of the stages are traditionally 3D rendered and look very nice. They're nothing to brag about like the characters are, but still good. In some instances, there are some problems with the camera. In some of the larger levels, the camera can pan out too far and make it difficult to tell what’s happening. In single player mode with multiple opponents, switching to attack another opponent can often cause the camera to suddenly sweep to one side. This is actually to help get a better view of the new target, but the sudden switch can momentarily distract or lead to accidentally attacking in the wrong direction.

Naruto 2's sound effects stand out much more than the music. The music is typically a fairly laid-back melody that commands little attention. They're not bad songs really, but they're not great either. The sound effects are very well done. All of the characters have voice work done by the actors from the anime, and it shows! All of the other sounds are equally impressive. From the satisfying ''clang'' of two shurikens colliding in the air to the grand ''boom'' that induces the surprising shockwave when two fists slam against one another.

Opening all of the characters, stages, and extras can take well over ten hours. Minor character pictures will take quite a while longer after that. Being a fighting game, there's plenty of replay value. With a few friends, the four-player mode will stay fun for hours and hours.

Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen 2 is a definite MUST for all Naruto fans! Fighting game fans and those who already have the ability to play Japanese games should take a good hard look. If it weren't for the game being import only, I would gladly recommend it to everyone. It's a great game with a few minor issues with the camera and graphics. These issues don't stop Naruto Gekitou Ninja Taisen 2 from being a very fast, very stylish, and very enjoyable game.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/03/04