Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker

 PlayStation 4
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 120
  3. Negative: 42 out of 120
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. TheQuietGamer
    Jul 10, 2022
    6
    If there was one thing that quickly began to bug me in my early teenage years when my obsession with the programming on "Toonami" was just as big as, if not bigger than, my one for gaming, it was how seemingly all of the video game adaptations for my favorite anime shows were fighters. It certainly suited the material given how basically every conflict in their television/mangaIf there was one thing that quickly began to bug me in my early teenage years when my obsession with the programming on "Toonami" was just as big as, if not bigger than, my one for gaming, it was how seemingly all of the video game adaptations for my favorite anime shows were fighters. It certainly suited the material given how basically every conflict in their television/manga counterparts largely consisted of two dudes beating the crap out of each other, but it meant there wasn't a lot of variety and even back then I could recognize how the worlds of One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, and of course Naruto had the potential to deliver so much more. While we have seen a greater amount of diversity over the years since, the sad fact remains that the fighting genre is still a developer's top go-to for anything remotely shōnen in nature. Which is why something like this that forgoes the traditional mano-a-mano fisticuffs in favor of team-based, competitive multiplayer feels novel and a little exciting despite it not quite sticking the landing.

    You start things off by making your own ninja with the somewhat embarrassingly limited character creation tools, before being thrown into a Boruto-era hub world (about the only Boruto content you'll encounter at all) filled with other players where you'll interact with various big names from the series to do things like access matches, get new items, and equip different clothing. For those not into the whole online scene, this is also where you can engage in single-player "VR Missions" (virtual reality headset not required) against AI minions and bosses. There's no story to speak of so it's not a true campaign. More like a series of solo challenges you can do to level up faster. They're a great alternative way to experience the game at first until you realize that each rank just repeats the same tasks over and over again at higher difficulties. Eventually becoming so hard you're practically forced into resorting to co-op to complete them.

    There are essentially two progression systems. The main one which primarily rewards with scrolls that unlock randomized cosmetics with unique boosts, and a secondary "Ninjutsu Master" option where you select between a host of recognizable characters who will grant you special jutsu attacks, among other things, as you collect experience for them. Once they're maxed out you can swap for another master, allowing you to slowly experiment with every ability and build type over time. It helps add to the surprising flexibility of combat which features four customizable classes with unique roles on the battlefield, giving you the ability to craft an ideal loadout for any situation.

    With such an unexpected amount of depth on this front, it's ultimately the game modes and to a certain degree the playerbase that brings things down. Barrier Battles feel unbalanced as they heavily favor the defending team due to the short time limit that only loses seconds faster when attackers get K.O.'d and requires them to defeat a boss with a massive health bar, while the capture the flag variant tends to end in unfulfilling stalemates unless one side is just completely incompetent. The need to rely on the coordination and ability of your allies can be frustrating as you can't always count on them to have either when getting paired up with randoms. Like how I lost a round of the title's spin on TDM with lives as a result of my teammates repeatedly falling into the cliff at the center of the map, and not because our opponents were knocking them in there. Or when the other three people I got stuck with in Flag Battle were more interested in camping the middle rather than guarding our flag or going after the other, forcing me to vainly try and do both. It's stuff like that which has led to me stepping away.

    Overall, Shinobi Striker is an enticing idea in need of a sequel to polish up the execution. As of right now though it's garnered a pretty sizable community regardless. Who if I had to guess are mainly invested in hanging around for the plethora of cool costumes and looks they can acquire for their handmade avatars, that at any point they can change the appearance, name, and even gender of with the help of a simple "remake seal" that's easy to get their hands on. There is a certain appeal to that. Plus, the large emphasis placed on competing in the regular events ensure there's always something immediate going on to maintain your attention and plenty of purchasable DLC as well. As far as I'm concerned though, it deserves respect for experimenting with an out-of-the-box approach for a brand that's done almost strictly one thing on home consoles for so long, but admirable qualities notwithstanding the title could use a bit more work in regards to making the action and objectives as compelling as the concept, in order to appeal to an audience larger than solely that of the most hardcore Naruto devotees.

    6.5/10    … Expand
  2. mat1t2
    Jan 2, 2019
    5
    Overall, the combat is good. It plays a lot like Dragonball Xenoverse. The visuals are nice, and the character customization is great. The game gets boring quickly though and matchmaking is poor at best.
  3. warwocl512
    Jan 10, 2021
    6
    I wait for better... soooooo wait for new some shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit
  4. LoreyIkigai
    Jun 5, 2021
    6
    Very more or less graphics, generic clothes, which only change color, it seems they didn't invest anything and the battle is even acceptable
  5. Saitoroi
    Dec 10, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. CE-34878-0: Very often I see this message. I already un-installed the game and reinstalled it infinite times. This crash can occur during PVP matches, in the HUB and even in the waiting room. It's a bit ridiculous that this game is in the fourth season pass, with this number of new players and it's so broken like that.
    The gaming experience is, to say the least, stressful, honestly.    … Expand
  6. Boladin00
    Sep 20, 2022
    7
    This is a VERY GOOD online game! It has interesting mechanics and is very fun to spend some hours playing with your friends. The possibility to create your own ninja and build the powers is what makes this game so different from other Naruto games in my opinion.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 29
  3. Negative: 4 out of 29
  1. PLAY! Zine
    Mar 6, 2019
    60
    If you are tired of those old, epic single player storylines and local versus matches that your usual Naruto games offer, here's your chance! Shinobi Striker is anything but that. Not everyone's cup of tea, but gives a breath of fresh air to a long running fighting games series. Me? I'm up for some more of that stale air of the Storm series! Not a bad game, though.
    Read full review
  2. Riot Pixels
    Dec 30, 2018
    65
    Shinobi Striker is in a dire need of maps and modes, and looks like the developers have no idea on how to tackle this problem.
    Read full review
  3. DarkStation
    Nov 2, 2018
    40
    Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is not a great game. Though it has an entertaining character creator and some fantastic customization options, separate the game from the license for a second, and it becomes clear that Shinobi Striker is a sub-par action game and an even worse multiplayer experience. The game sets an interesting foundation for future Naruto games, if only conceptually, but no one save for the bravest of Naruto fans would likely enjoy Shinobi Striker in its current form. Better off next time, Naruto. Believe it!
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »