Naruto: Rise Of A Ninja (It could be good, I swear!).
 

Taking the mind-blowing concept of an anime licence game being made by a Western developer, Naruto: ROAN is a 360-exclusive action/adventure game made by Ubisoft Montreal.

So how is this gonna play?
The easiest way for me to describe the gameplay would be GTA: Naruto Edition. Missions are divided into Ninja (plot) and Side (sidequests) categories, or you can just chill out and explore by yourself, using Naruto's mad ninja skillz to get around. Naruto is upgradable, with new techniques and jutsus to learn, equipment to get and chakra to raise. Hand seals are all done with the sticks, and jutsus can trigger short minigames. There's also a full-on fighting game within.

There's a fighting game? Bleh, I bet it's some tacked-on shit.
Ubisoft are making the fighting a big part of the game, with battles in the main mode all played out like a fighting game. You can kariwimi no jutsu out of attacks, hand seals are usable, and there are big jutsus which trigger the aformented minigames. Neji's jutsu has the player trying to manually strike pressure points, while the defender sways and tries to mess up his aim. Zabuza's has to be aimed manually with two different targets while the other player moves around. Naruto's Shadow Clone Jutsu has the attacker inputting commands, then as these flash up on the screen both players must race to press each button first. There's also online play, online tournaments and new characters through DLC, the first being Shikamaru.

Graphics?
Best cel-shading ever seen in a video game. No questions. It looks stunning, but only the characters and effects are cel shaded. The areas are not. This works really really well.

When's it out?
The 30th (Tuesday) for the US and November 2nd for the UK.

Videos
http://www.gametrailers.com/game/4822.html
http://uk.media.xbox360.ign.com/medi...99/vids_1.html

I knid of hate to say this but it honestly look like it could be decent at worse.

This game looks to be yet another reason I need to make more money and buy the other 2 systems and an HDTV. *sigh*

Good thing I already own a 360. Guess thats one more game to pick up soon.
I really do need a good Naruto game.

It sounds like it has promise, but I mean, so did a lot of other licensed games. I'll wait till its out to pass judgement, but really, I dont see it being much more then an average game.

Find me an HDTV and 360 for 100 dollars total that are in mint condition and I'll buy this game.
Guaranteed.

I think I'll save my judgment until EGM or somebody else reviews this. If it's good, then I already have a 360 :D.

Really? To me the cel-shading looks very similar to other Naruto games apart from being a bit rounder, especially when compared to Eternal Sonata and The Wind Waker (yes, The fucking Wind Waker). I think this may be more because of the art direction and less because of the technical aspects. There's just something weird about seeing the characters with the same expression in their face all the time, even when fighting or mentally ogling a sexy no jutsu Naruto.

Otherwise, it looks fun. I might rent it if I ever get a 360. Possibly buy it. Who knows.

For the record, I thing Gungrave has better cell shading. Then again, I think Gungrave has better everything compared to everythign becasue its awesome.

EGM? -_-

Trust Play or Game Informer. Your brain will thank me. :)

Naruto... Seriously have ANY of the licensed games been good?

What's wrong with EGM??? ....well I guess I'll look into Play or Game Informer anyway... thanks for the recommendation!

Also seriously you guys are setting yourselves up for disappointment. It's as Jagos said, since when were licensed games any good?