Naruto To Boruto: Shinobi Striker - IGN Review & Guide

Hey guys! Let's dive into Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker, a game that throws you headfirst into the Naruto universe but with a twist. We're talking about team-based online battles where you get to create your own ninja and duke it out with others. IGN has given their verdict, and we're here to break it all down, adding our own insights to help you decide if this game is worth your time and effort.

What is Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker?

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker isn't your typical Naruto fighting game. Instead of a one-on-one arena fighter, it’s a team-based online action game where you and your friends (or random players) battle it out in various modes. You create your own ninja, customize their appearance, choose their fighting style, and learn new jutsus from your favorite Naruto characters. Think of it as a Naruto-themed MOBA, but with a lot more emphasis on acrobatic ninja combat. The core gameplay revolves around completing objectives, such as capturing flags, defeating opponents, or escorting targets. What sets it apart is the verticality and open environments, allowing for strategic maneuvers and surprise attacks. You can run on walls, leap across rooftops, and use the environment to your advantage. It's all about teamwork, coordination, and mastering your ninja's abilities. The game features different combat roles, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. You've got Attack types, who are all about dealing damage; Defense types, who protect their teammates; Range types, who provide support from a distance; and Heal types, who keep everyone alive. Finding the right balance of roles in your team is crucial for success. As you play, you'll earn experience points and unlock new jutsus, weapons, and costumes. You can also train under different Naruto characters to learn their signature moves. The customization options are pretty extensive, allowing you to create a ninja that truly reflects your playstyle.

IGN's Verdict: A Mixed Bag

IGN's review of Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker paints a picture of a game with a lot of potential, but also some significant flaws. They praised the innovative gameplay and the ability to create your own ninja, but criticized the repetitive missions and the lack of a compelling single-player campaign. One of the main criticisms was the game's reliance on online multiplayer. While the online battles can be fun and chaotic, they can also be frustrating due to lag, disconnects, and unbalanced matchmaking. IGN also noted that the game's tutorial is inadequate, leaving players to figure out the intricacies of the combat system on their own. This can be especially daunting for newcomers to the Naruto franchise. On the positive side, IGN highlighted the game's customization options and the sense of progression. Unlocking new jutsus and costumes can be addictive, and it's satisfying to see your ninja grow stronger over time. They also praised the game's visuals, which capture the look and feel of the Naruto anime. Overall, IGN's review suggests that Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is a game with a niche appeal. It's best suited for hardcore Naruto fans who are willing to overlook its flaws in order to experience the thrill of online ninja battles. If you're looking for a deep single-player experience or a polished multiplayer game, you might be disappointed.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of how Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker actually plays. The core gameplay loop revolves around participating in online battles. These battles typically involve two teams of four players competing to complete objectives. The objectives vary depending on the game mode, but they usually involve capturing flags, defeating opponents, or escorting targets. One of the key mechanics is the chakra system. Chakra is the energy that ninjas use to perform jutsus. You can replenish your chakra by meditating or by attacking opponents. Managing your chakra effectively is crucial for success, as you don't want to run out of energy in the middle of a fight. The combat system is relatively simple, with light attacks, heavy attacks, and jutsus. However, mastering the timing and spacing of your attacks is essential for dealing damage and avoiding enemy attacks. Jutsus are special abilities that can be used to deal damage, heal teammates, or provide support. Each jutsu has its own cooldown, so you need to use them strategically. The movement system is also important. You can run on walls, jump across rooftops, and use the environment to your advantage. This allows for a lot of strategic maneuvering and surprise attacks. Teamwork is essential for success in Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker. You need to coordinate with your teammates to complete objectives and defeat opponents. Communication is key, so it's a good idea to use voice chat or text chat to communicate with your team. The game also features a leveling system. As you play, you'll earn experience points and level up your ninja. Leveling up unlocks new jutsus, weapons, and costumes. This provides a sense of progression and keeps you motivated to keep playing.

Character Creation and Customization

One of the most appealing aspects of Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is the ability to create your own ninja. The character creation process is fairly detailed, allowing you to customize your ninja's appearance, gender, hairstyle, and clothing. You can also choose your ninja's fighting style, which determines their starting jutsus and abilities. There are four main fighting styles to choose from: Attack, Defense, Range, and Heal. Attack types are all about dealing damage. They have high attack power and can quickly take down opponents. However, they are also vulnerable to damage. Defense types are all about protecting their teammates. They have high defense and can absorb a lot of damage. They can also use jutsus to create barriers and protect their allies. Range types are all about providing support from a distance. They can use jutsus to attack enemies from afar or heal teammates from a safe distance. Heal types are all about keeping everyone alive. They can use jutsus to heal teammates and revive fallen allies. After you've created your ninja, you can further customize them by unlocking new jutsus, weapons, and costumes. You can earn these items by completing missions, participating in online battles, or purchasing them with in-game currency. The customization options are pretty extensive, allowing you to create a ninja that truly reflects your playstyle. You can mix and match different jutsus from different fighting styles to create a unique build. You can also customize your ninja's appearance with a variety of clothing items and accessories.

Online Modes and Missions

Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is primarily an online multiplayer game, so the online modes and missions are a major focus. There are several different online modes to choose from, each with its own objectives and rules. One of the most popular modes is Capture the Flag. In this mode, two teams of four players compete to capture the opposing team's flag while defending their own. The first team to capture the opposing team's flag three times wins the match. Another popular mode is Combat Battle. In this mode, two teams of four players battle each other to see who can score the most points. Players earn points by defeating opponents and completing objectives. The team with the most points at the end of the match wins. There's also Barrier Battle, where teams compete to destroy the other's barrier while protecting their own, and Base Battle, tasking teams with capturing and defending bases. In addition to the online modes, there are also a variety of missions that you can complete. These missions can be completed solo or with a team of friends. Missions typically involve completing objectives such as defeating enemies, collecting items, or escorting targets. Completing missions rewards you with experience points, in-game currency, and new items. The online modes and missions in Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker can be fun and engaging, but they can also be repetitive. The game lacks a compelling single-player campaign, so you'll be spending most of your time playing online. If you're not a fan of online multiplayer, you might not enjoy this game.

Tips and Tricks for Success

Want to up your game in Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker? Here are some essential tips and tricks to help you dominate the battlefield:

• Master Your Movement: Utilize wall-running and aerial maneuvers to outsmart your opponents.
• Coordinate with Your Team: Communication is key! Use voice chat or text chat to strategize and coordinate attacks.
• Manage Your Chakra: Don't waste your chakra on unnecessary jutsus. Conserve it for critical moments.
• Learn Your Role: Understand the strengths and weaknesses of your chosen fighting style and play accordingly.
• Experiment with Different Jutsus: Find the jutsus that best suit your playstyle and learn how to use them effectively.
• Take Advantage of the Environment: Use the environment to your advantage. Hide behind cover, set traps, and launch surprise attacks.
• Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: Try different character builds and strategies to find what works best for you.
• Stay Mobile: A moving target is harder to hit. Keep moving and avoid standing still for too long.
• Practice Makes Perfect: The more you play, the better you'll become. Don't get discouraged if you don't win every match.

Is It Worth It?

So, is Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker worth your hard-earned cash? It really depends on what you're looking for. If you're a die-hard Naruto fan who loves online multiplayer games, then you'll probably enjoy this game. The ability to create your own ninja and battle it out with others is a lot of fun. However, if you're looking for a deep single-player experience or a polished multiplayer game, you might be disappointed. The game has some flaws, such as repetitive missions, unbalanced matchmaking, and a lack of a compelling single-player campaign. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to buy Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is up to you. Consider your own preferences and weigh the pros and cons before making a purchase. If you decide to give it a try, be sure to check out some gameplay videos and read reviews from other players to get a better sense of what to expect.