Naruto Shippuden Kizuna Drive

"Perhaps it wouldn’t be so annoying if most voices weren’t shrill and obnoxiously loud."

Developer: Bandai Namco Games
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Platform(s): PSP
Genre: Action

 

What better way to get a clear view at fan service than having a person look into it with little to no knowledge about the reference at hand? It’s with this mentality we’ll be taking a look at what the new Naruto franchise game has to offer players on PSP.

Naruto Shippuden Kizuna Drive (NSKD), say that 5 times fast, looks like the exact same game refurbished on the surface. A battle oriented game where a bunch of characters from the show get thrown in and perform some trademark moves. One thing though, is that these games always come packaged in a well-rounded cel-shaded style, giving off a believable, vibrant anime world. Unfortunately, this comes paired with some very annoying voice acting, as these kids never shut the hell up. Sure, people want to hear their favorite characters, but for whatever deity they worship’s sake, shut it for a second once in a while. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so annoying if most voices weren’t shrill and obnoxiously loud. This really puts a damper on playing.
 

This guy is getting double stuffed; if you know what I mean...
 

Regardless, let’s view what NSKD has to offer. Taking on missions is the flimsy line where players will set off in teams of 4 to kick some bad guy tail. Before accepting, a character can equip some special scrolls, yielded from successful missions. These scrolls will raise stats and offer special effects to those that wear them. Given the challenge rank of certain missions, these will be a welcome addition. Each scenario has set goals, involving the death of foes, where bashing some buttons may promptly commence. Apart from a regular attack, it’s also possible to finish with a powerful skill, called jutsu’s, or performing a jutsu as a stand-alone thing.

There is only one real addition that could separate it from mind-numbing button bashing and that is the sequenced team attacks. Whenever an enemy is stunned, a prompt will appear to go into team attack mode. Here, the heroes bounce the baddie around as if he were a piñata. By pressing the button according to one of the four characters standing in the beatdown square, a combo is formed until it is completed with X or a player fails to beat the enemy towards a team member. This human keep-away game is a little entertaining, though only bigger villains will really benefit from being taken down this way. Additionally, the huge bosses cannot be attacked this way, making it a lot more challenging to complete such a mission. Then again, this challenge is a welcome addition to the otherwise boring mashing of buttons and less than impressive special moves.
 

 

Naruto Shippuden Kizuna Drive is also playable in multiplayer, though in truth, this will do nothing for the fact this is purely a fan related game. Like any generic Dragonball, Bleach, Full Metal Alchemist and other popular franchise games, NSKD will mostly appeal to people that already enjoy the entire Naruto universe. The minor team and customization options will do little to lift this decent, but monotone, title up. Also, shut the hell up for a second.

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Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed.