Frequent releases of Naruto games are as reliable to anime fans as yearly editions of Madden and NBA Live are to sports fanatics. With Path of the Ninja 2, the upcoming Naruto RPG sequel for the DS, developer Tomy looks to give fans of the original more DS ninja action with more of everything. From using the titular character's Shadow Clone jutsu to recruiting popular sidekicks like Gaara of the Desert, Path of the Ninja 2 is piling on more content for fans of the series.
Toronto Thumbs writes: "Role playing games and I don't always get along, especially the Final Fantasy-style RPGs with the side view turn-based battles and endless levelling up. Because Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 is an RPG, I was hesitant to play it even though it involves one of my absolute favourite anime series ever.
While I didn't end up hating the experience, I found that the overall game could have used a bit more polish. The story is akin to one of the many filler arcs in the anime. A group of baddies is attempting to control a spirit creature that releases the hate in everyone. One of the villagers escapes with a component to trap the creature and your job as Naruto is to recruit a group of ninja to help seal the beast away forever."
GamerDad writes: "That superstar anime cartoon and manga comic book ninja boy Naruto is back on another video game adventure. This time, the loud-mouthed, ramen scarfing, orange clad ninja embarks on a typical turned based role-playing game.
Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 is just your typical RPG with Naruto characters, settings, and storyline. Just as in other RPGs, gather clues, items, and missions in the Hidden Leaf Village, then tromp off to forests and caves to defeat monsters, gain experience, and level up. Battles are turn-based, and while you can have only three characters and a fourth reserve in your party, up to 30 different Naruto characters can join in your adventures. Use Chakra points for special Ninjitsu magic for more powerful attacks. You can control the game with the stylus and touch screen or the D-pad and buttons. They do a good job explaining the basics of gameplay at the beginning of the game, too. By exchanging friend codes, you can even battle people online through Wi-Fi."
The truth is there are far more worthy DS RPGs available, ones that have actually embraced the DS hardware either in the control or graphics department, Something that Path of the Ninja 2 has failed at epically. More importantly, Tomy appears to have forgotten that Naruto is a global brand nowadays, and chances are that its audience in the west may not even be familiar with a game structure most likely older than they are.
Though he may be the clown prince of anime now, if he continues along this path it won't be too long before Naruto goes the way of the dodo.
