Summary
- Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is a new game that collects all of Naruto's history in one place, featuring over 130 characters and gameplay modes that will keep fans occupied for a long time.
- The game includes story modes that cover the entire Naruto saga, including cinematic boss fights and an original non-canon story set in the Boruto time frame.
- The main attraction for gameplay-oriented players is the Free Battle mode, where players can engage in offline versus matches and experience the game's flashy Jutsu attacks and special character interactions. Online battles are also available, though limited at launch.
After years of silence, a new Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm game has launched for fans to enjoy. Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections is the latest in CyberConnect2’s line of Naruto arena fighters, this time dedicated to collecting all of Naruto's history in one place. Players can do battle with over 130 Naruto characters, including several Boruto representatives and even a few newcomers making their playable debut in Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections. With so much included, calling this the ultimate Naruto package is an apt description.
It's an impressive effort from CyberConnect2 and Bandai Namco, even if the game's feature set is more akin to a spin-off than a true Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm sequel starring Boruto. That can wait, however, as this title still dwarfs Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations and Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution in terms of sheer value. Fans will be occupied for a long time with what each of Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections’ modes have to offer.
Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections’ Story Modes
First up is the main reason most players will buy UNS Connections. The game purports to collect the entire Naruto saga, complete with cinematic boss fights from past entries, and add to it with an original non-canon story set in the Boruto time frame.
History
History mode walks players through an abridged form of the Naruto manga from Naruto's perspective, complete with anime stills, full voice acting, fights updated with UNS Connections’ gameplay, and some of CyberConnect2's famous cinematic fights. These are not the full story modes from past Ultimate Ninja Storm titles, as many smaller fights, some bosses, and segments like field maps or action stages are all gone. Still, there's something satisfying about seeing all of Naruto condensed like this.
Special Story
The main event for many will be the new content in the Special Story. Focused on Boruto's dealings with a new villain group and UNS Connections' mysterious new character Nanashi, the new generation of heroes will need to avert a potential Fifth Great Ninja War. It doesn't quite match the bombastic story retellings of the numbered Ultimate Ninja Storm games, but it is a fun addition to the Naruto universe nonetheless.
Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections’ Free Battle
The main attraction for gameplay-oriented players will be Free Battle, which covers all the offline versus modes. AI and human combatants can be fought here in various standard fighting game match types, and it’s the best place to check out Ultimate Ninja Storm's many flashy Jutsu attacks and special character interactions. The sub-modes in Free Battle are as follows:
- VS Battle
- Survival
- Tournament
- League
- Practice
Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections’ Online Battle
Spirited competitors can also take their Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections skills online, though unfortunately there isn't much to do there. Casual and ranked matches are the only online options at launch, with custom matchmaking set to come later. Complete with delay-based netcode, online battle is only suited for the most hardcore Ultimate Ninja Storm fans.
Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections’ Collection
The rest of Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections can be found in the Collection gallery or in the sub-menu, accessible from the main menu. Collection is where players can view their many unlockables, ranging from color palettes to special stills from the Naruto anime. Above all else, the Collection's best feature is customizing character accessories, changing their appearance in online and offline battle modes.
The Sub-Menu
Meanwhile, the sub-menu offers Options, Tutorial tips, and Check Proficiency. This last feature ties a lot of UNS Connections together, as each of the over-130 Naruto characters available have proficiency levels that unlock relevant items as they increase. Only diehard completionists will bother checking this screen frequently, but casual Naruto x Boruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections fans can still tackle its provided challenges to get things for their favorite characters faster.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 68 /100 Critics Rec: 35%
- Released
- November 17, 2023
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Mild Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- CyberConnect2
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Naruto
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
