You can relive Sasuke and Naruto’s first fight in the schoolyard, or even take on Zabuza as Kakashi. All of the major turning points and fan favorite matches are available to be found and unlocked. There are other quests as well that will let you interact with some of the crazier characters from the series.

Gameplay hasn’t received too many changes over the course of the series, but Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 adds in a few tweaks to make things interesting. Fighters are much better balanced and they all have access to hidden techniques and ultimate jutsu. In previous games, only specific characters could tap into everything causing limitations. But this latest entry opens it wide open and makes every single one of its 100+ Shinobi viable options. There is also the addition of elemental properties, such as burning your opponents or using water to increase the intensity of electrical based attacks, and you can even run on walls now.

Controls are still very easy to learn with one physical attack button, one ranged button, your support, and your guard. Combinations will create different effects allowing you to build stunning combos that eat away at your enemies. The biggest tweak of all, though, has to be the Leader mechanic.

The Leader mechanic allows you to utilize your support characters in battle as your actual character. Instead of hitting one of the shoulder buttons to call them in for a quick attack, you can just flick the right stick. This will swap them in for you to fight as them instead, changing the dynamic of the fight. Leading with a strong, slower character? Swap out to someone more speedy mid-battle. Crafting the perfect team is now a bigger deal and definitely adds to the engaging aspect of Ultimate Ninja Storm 4.

There is a lot of content to jump into, and  a lot of options for how you want to experience that content. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 doesn’t do too much new in terms of expanding the series, but the feel of the game proves it didn’t really need to. The formula has worked very well and with a few tweaks this is definitely the best entry in the series. A huge roster worth using, tons of new special attacks, crisp visuals on the newest generation, and enough content for fans to sink their teeth into for hours. Naruto is all grown up and no longer pulling his punches, the Great War has arrived and it’s a complete pleasure to participate in.

Score: 4.5/5