Hands on with Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 on DS
We're starting to believe
Last year's Naruto: Path of the Ninja took the path well-traveled with its underwhelming approach to role-playing. Taking the rich, colourful Naruto license and wrapping it around a lacklustre game followed in the footsteps of countless other licensed titles. Fortunately, the sequel is treading a different path with a number of improvements that promise a far more entertaining experience.
More than anything, Path of the Ninja 2 aims to address the grievances of the first adventure while delivering a brand new storyline. The game embarks on a totally original story that pulls on locales and conflicts central to the series. Expect Naruto and company to return, along with nearly two dozen previously unseen characters. A grand total of 30 playable characters boosts the series roster from only seven available in the first game.
Adding new characters doesn't make a sequel better, only improvements to gameplay can do that and those have been made in earnest for Path of the Ninja 2. First and foremost, character development possesses exponentially more depth thanks to new formation and ninja tag systems. Instead of characters automatically learning abilities as you earn experience, you now have more control over what types of jutsu are equipped. Additionally, the expanded slate of characters opens up a wide range of party-creation strategies.
The ninja tag system allows you to assign abilities to each character via a simple point system. You're able to equip jutsu by spending points. Each jutsu comes with a specific point value, which varies according to the potency of the skill. This enables you to swap out abilities that may not be effective in one region, such as a fire jutsu that might not be as powerful in a volcanic area filled with hot creatures. While derivative, it's an infinitely more flexible system than the first game's rigid development scheme.
Coordinating the makeup of your party also factors in character development. A new formation system grants bonuses for grouping specific characters together. Additionally, appointing a party leader affords bonuses tied to each character. You may get an experience boost from one figure or an attack modifier with another. Obviously, this instills a strategic element to the game, providing much needed depth.
Beyond the single player story, Path of the Ninja 2 ventures online for head-to-head bouts. Support for Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection makes competitive battles possible between two players. Using your squad developed through the course of the campaign, you can duke it out with a friend. Local wireless multiplayer battles are also offered.
For all that this game is headed in the right direction, not all is zen with Path of the Ninja 2. The visuals are still underwhelming, looking more like a Game Boy Advance title than true DS effort. Alterations to the touchscreen have supposedly improved control, although we're not convinced. It was much easier to stick to the face buttons during battles and when exploring the field screen.
These issues will likely stick in the game's September release. Even so, the fundamental flaws of the first game - hollow character development and lacking variety - have been addressed. While room for improvement still exists, Path of the Ninja 2 is taking the right steps toward solid role-playing.
