Breaking News: Naruto Clash of Ninja Revolution III Preview

Share on Facebook posted 07-22-09 by Angelo D'Argenio

In the wake of Otakon, gaming magazines are rushing to get all the details about the swanky game imports gamers got to demo and play at Otakon. One of the imports more prominently featured was the new fighting game with the obscenely long name, Naruto Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution III. Considering that the game is based on of one of the most popular animes of all time, it’s no surprise that people have had their eyes locked on this soon to be American release. Gametrailers has released a preview to American audiences that details a few of the game’s capabilities, but let me tell you, it’s nothing like playing the game yourself.

Naruto Story and Characters

The roster has expanded to 35 different playable characters, all from the Naruto anime series. The game is a bit behind the Japanese series though since it tries to synch up with the American version and the same old shitty American voice actors are back, but that is just something we are all going to have to live with. There is no audio option to change this game back to its original Japanese, and that has many fans disappointed. Still, stylistic American changes can, for the most part, be over looked if you aren’t a diehard anime purist, and though you won’t find systems as complicated as say Street Fighter, you will find a solid game that is well worth the purchase if you have even a passing infatuation with anime.

The Gameplay

The game has become a lot quicker than its predecessors. Ground game and wakeup options have been expanded upon, and character balance has been seriously tweaked in an attempt to make the game seem like a serious fighter, and not just another no-skill anime adaptation. Most character move sets have also been expanded, and there is a larger focus on dodging an opponent’s attacks and getting in a large combo that could lead to a trademark super move or finisher.

For the first time ever, the Naruto series of fighting games will support online play. This goes hand-in-hand with it being advertised as a serious fighting game. 4 person, free-for-all still exists, but is a little goofy with the game’s new rebalanced mechanics. No amount of balance matters when 3 players can simply gang up on you and take you out of a fight. Multiple control schemes are available including Wii motion controls, the Gamecube controller, and the classic controller, but mostly it’s the Gamecube that will be used by any serious player. The Wii motion controls still suffer from indeterminate waggle syndrome, and the classic controller simply doesn’t feel as responsive as the Gamecube controller does.

The story mode is seven kinds of stupid but no one will care. This is a fighting game and you will be spending most of your time battling it out with your friends, or with people online. Once again, the American voice actors pretty much butcher this otherwise passable anime, and if that annoys you during game play, it will annoy you twice as much during story mode. Don’t even bother trying to play the game one player, just skip it, put in a code to unlock all the extras, and get right down to the versus mode gold.

I can only say so much about a game that I only played briefly but overall I would say that Naruto Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution III looks to be fairly decent. Be sure to keep your eyes out for its release date in October, when we will bring you a full review.