Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations offers enough new content and changes that fans of the previous two games will find plenty of reasons to upgrade to this version and newcomers to the series will find more than enough to keep themselves busy.

More than 70 playable characters, some terrific graphics and amazing animations, Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is a huge fan service fighting game and the most complete of the Ninja storm franchise.

Generations will bring you up to speed in a way that won't make you feel in over your head with the immense world of Naruto. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is a fighter that does a bit of double dipping, giving players a satisfying fighter with a moving story of youth and the changes that they can bring.

CyberConnect 2 made some changes compared to Ultimate Ninja Storm 2. There are no quick time events and no freely accessible areas anymore. Instead, awesome story-telling with never before shown anime material, a lot of fights and different characters – each with unique attacks – await.

Hidden below the crazy, numerous battles are some very moving stories about kids trying to find their way in the world - and how their elders struggle to raise and protect them. The heart of the Naruto franchise is stunningly sincere - and somehow this game finds those points and shines a spotlight on them. Powerful stuff indeed.

Finally, Naruto's back on track. This is a great game for fans of the ultimate ninja, with a well-told story, smooth controls and a lot of variation. The awakening mode turns out to be an amazing addition to the established lore. A nice surprise overall.

It's easy to pick up, devilish to master. [June 2012, p.70]

My main concern is with recommending it to people who already own Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, as I really don't know if enough has changed to warrant spending £40.

CyberConnect 2 knows how to please Naruto's huge fanbase and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is the perfect example of how to create a great tie-in. The new features of the combat system grants an easy access to a wider group of players. Buy it if you like the original anime.

It's nice to see a developer and publisher team up to give dedicated fans what they want. If you aren't a Naruto fan this game won't make any difference to you, but if you are, there's an awful lot to enjoy here.

Easily the best Naruto fighting game to come out to date.

Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations squeezes every ounce it can from the Naruto franchise and leverages it well, making it the perfect game for fans of the series. Fight fans may find its simplicity disappointing, but not without its charms.

Full of fan service, this one is for the Naruto faithful. It's competent and looks great, but if you're just after a good fighter, you can do better. The fighting genre is experiencing somewhat of a second golden age of games right now and Generations isn't quite one of them.

Cool fighters with crazy abilities lift this 3D fighter above most manga-scrappers. [June 2012, p.81]

It looks like there are only special strikes and crazy battle tactics in this game. Colorful, dynamic and spectacular piece is targeted mostly towards fans of the original manga and anime series. [June 2012]

This third game in the Ninja Storm series is going to feel like a small step backwards from the previous title for longtime fans. Conversely for newcomers it's perhaps the easiest game ever to get into despite the manic on-screen action – if you have a sense of timing. [May 2012, p77]

Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations is a product that any fan of the series may feel compelled to buy, but unlike the previous one, there some considerations to do first. The elements that made the earlier a product of excellence have been lost along the way and it is a little less Naruto than expected.

This outing for Naruto still has quite a bit of life left, fighting remains flashy and fun, albeit a bit generic.

This series has a beautiful visual style and an aggressive combat rhythm uniquely its own. But while the core mechanics remain intact, Generations drops some features found in its predecessors and offers shallow alternatives.

With plenty of new content mixed in with plenty of old staples of the series, Ninja Storm Generations is sure to please fans of Naruto. For average users and those just a little curious, this might not be the fighting game for them. Artistically it is very enjoyable, based on another animé series with a lot of plot and storyline that could have anyone watching or playing for years. But its gameplay is rather hit or miss.

The expanded universe and story options don't stop this from feeling like the same Naruto game we've seen so many times - though the game is not without its unique quirks. [Apr 2012, p.83]