Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2

"Looks like the inner ninja came out!"

Finally! A new and improved Naruto game for the Wii!
As we all know, all previous Naruto games released on the Nintendo systems have been good, okay, or just plain horrible. This one promises to be a very fun and engrossing game...or simply a great game.

Story 7/10

This time, Tomy and/or Eighting decided to make their own story. The plot was decent, and the scenes were okay. Many people think that the story for this game is absolutely dull, but that's just an exaggeration. Absolutely dull would be watching a biology movie for science class or reading poems for English. The story is just like any plain old story. It's a story. With twists, mysteries, heroes, and good ol' villains. Maybe some more work could have been done to improve it but the story isn't a fighting game's most precious and valuable element, so that's all I'm going to say about it.

Gameplay 9/10

Now for the game's most important element: the gameplay. Like all Clash of Ninja games before, there are simple attack buttons such as Weak and Strong. Simply chain these together (all characters have their own special moveset, except for Awakened Hinata) and you got yourself a combo. Substitutions can be used to escape an enemy's combo, but it takes away 75% of your chakra. Specials are the same too, one button and your putting the hurt on, but if you're using the Wii Remote, motions can be done to increase power. Throwing is the same, and lastly Y-cancels can be done to end your previous combo and start a new one, but your opponent must be in the air. Now for the new additions! First, paper bombs have been added for greater combat depth. Hold both Substitution buttons for any controller and press the Strong attack button. Place 'em on the ground by holding down while pressing Strong attack or throw them straight at the enemy. You can also detonate them by pressing Weak attack button + Substitution buttons after placing the bombs on the ground. The final new element is hand signs. This can only be performed using the Wii Remote style. Move the remote in a pattern while holding down some buttons and you can get a boost of chakra or attack power increase. Last thing I want to mention is the gravity. Before in Revolution 1 gravity was quite heavy, but now they've improved it only a little. There are still some Y-cancel combos you can't do in this game but you can do in others. Overall gameplay is constantly exciting and fun, especially in multiplayer with friends.

Audio/Sounds 8/10

Surprisingly, I found the English character voices quite satisfactory. They mixed up Tsunade's voice with another voice actor but it still sounds close enough. Each and every stage has its own theme and tune, which makes the combat a little more whole, and the punching and piercing sounds are done very well. The reason I give this a 8 is because the sound goes a bit haywire when playing multiplayer with 4 people. This has only happened to me a few times, but that was when I was playing for quite a long time. The hitting and piercing sounds just go missing, and most of the time its like WTF?! Every time though, the sounds go back to normal after a round or two or by simply quitting or finishing the match. Not a big issue but it is noticeable.

Graphics 9/10

I have to say that this game isn't bad with graphics at all. You can tell what is what, and characters are always seen all the time. The colors are very nicely blended and surroundings are very intricate in the stages. There's really not much to say about graphics besides that its good and better then some but not as excellent as others.

Presentation 10/10

The menus are absolutely awesome! Its very easy to navigate through them, for example, if you want to play alone go to 1 player, or if you're playing with 2 others then you go to 3 players. The health, chakra, and guard gauge are very nicely done too, and everything is done extremely well.

Depth/Replay 9/10

There are tons of missions waiting for completion, and some are very tough. They will make you keep trying and trying but that's what makes it fun right? The several modes also can keep you occupied, ranging from Survival, Kumite, Score Attack, and Time Attack. Computer matches can be fun, but when you have other people play this game with you, that's when you get the whole package. Multiplayer is a blast and extremely crazy, and will make you become addicted to it fast.

Die hard Naruto fans, this is the game for you, and any others who enjoy fighting games or are acquainted with Naruto will love this game too.

Story 7/10: Not the best plot, but not the worst either
Gameplay 9/10: Great fun and never tiring
Audio/Sounds 8/10: Noticeable glitch, but very good music and voice acting
Graphics 9/10: Clean and sharp
Presentation 10/10: Menus can be easily navigated, combat gauges look great
Depth/Replay 9/10: Many modes and missions, multiplayer is very engrossing

Overall Score 9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/26/08

Game Release: Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution 2 (US, 10/21/08)