Naruto: Rise of a Ninja
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this game is based on the Naruto manga and anime, although familiarity with them isn't required to enjoy the game. There's plenty of visceral one-on-one fighting where Naruto uses punches, kicks, throwing daggers, and special attacks to defeat opponents. The fights aren't bloody or overly graphic. The cartoon cut scenes, however, show characters getting beaten up pretty badly, including blood dripping from their wounds.
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What's it about?
NARUTO: RISE OF A NINJA is a fighting game, free-roaming platformer, and role-playing game rolled into one featuring the boy ninja star of a collection of manga and a cartoon television series. At the start of the game, Naruto's whole town hates him and he's on the verge of flunking out of ninja school. But all it takes is one person to believe in him -- a kindly teacher -- to turn his fortunes around.
Naruto's hometown of Leaf Village serves as the hub of the game, and is where Naruto can find quests, purchase items and upgrades, and train to improve his skills. Every inch of the town has been lovingly re-created from the Naruto comics and cartoons, and players are free to explore all of it. When Naruto faces an opponent, the perspective shifts to a one-on-one fight where Naruto uses kicks, punches, ranged weapons, and special attacks. The money, coins, and trainer points he earns go toward learning new moves and buying scrolls to improve stats.
Is it any good?
Although control is a little stiff and there are a few too many fetch-quests in the game, Naruto: Rise of a Ninja succeeds in doing justice to the Naruto franchise. It also doesn't hurt that cut scenes in the game are pulled straight from the cartoon. Rise of a Ninja shouldn't disappoint Naruto fans, and if you aren't a fan going in, you'll probably be one by the end.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how Naruto's perseverance and determination pay off in his ninja training, and how this can apply to real-life school subjects and topics as well. Naruto sometimes breaks the rules, but always with a reason and usually to help people. Is it important to always follow the rules, or are there times when you should follow your instincts -- such as if a friend is in danger?
Game details
- Platforms: Xbox 360
- Price: $59.99
- Available online? Available online
- Developer: UbiSoft
- Release date: October 30, 2007
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating: T for Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence
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