Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution (PC)

This covers the Steam release of CyberConnect2’s Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution instead of the console versions because of two very simple reasons: first is that I don’t have an Xbox 360 or a Playstation 3, and second is because the PC port of the previous game in the series had so many technical problems that there may be a lot of readers wondering if the PC port is worth buying this time.

On that note, everyone should relax and be glad that CyberConnect 2 seems to have learned from their past mistakes. Unlike the poorly optimized Full Burst, Revolution works right out of the proverbial box. I’m still using the low-end PC (Pentium G2020, 4GB RAM, nVidia GT240) that had problems running Full Burst in full speed at the lowest resolution, yet Revolution ran like a champ at 1080p with a few dips in fps here and there (as I said, I’m running a PC that would be considered low-end 3 years ago so we shouldn’t be expecting miracles.)

Additionally, it seems like they’re no longer using frame-dependent timing because even at times when my PC struggled to maintain full frame rate (I got dips as low as 25 fps, according to FRAPS), the game didn’t feel slow-motion at all. Maybe they’re properly skipping frames this time around.

Unfortunately for the PC Master race, the frame rate is still capped at 30 fps. You’ll just have to grin and bear it as they’re probably keeping it uniform with the console versions in order to ease porting. Anyway, even at 30 fps the game still feels smoother than Full Burst, owing to a few tweaks in combat (which we’ll tackle later.)

As for a review of the game itself, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution is basically an upgraded version of Full Burst, and is probably using a modified version of its engine so there’s really no point in a standard review of the game. You can refer to the Full Burst review here if you want the basics. Instead, we’ll just outline some of the more noticeable changes (and whether they’re good or bad.)

Presentation

The first change that will hit you is the tweak to the presentation. It’s a minor tweak but helps a ton in making the user experience better – they simply sped up the time it takes for menu items to load. Most of you will remember that Full Burst’s menu required patience as it takes a few seconds too long before you can get it to do what you want. Moving from one section to the next is instantaneous now.

Yu Yu Hakusho Forever (PS2)

Yuu Yuu Hakusho Forever is a cel-shaded VS fighting game for the Playstation 2 based on Yoshihiro Togashi’s hit manga and anime franchise. It’s a Japan-only release so you’ll find that the menu will require a little bit of exploration before you find out which one will get you to the story mode and which one will let you just goddamn fight already! (you know what I mean. Sometimes you don’t want to bother with the story mode in a fighting game.)

The visuals and audio are top-notch in this Yuu Yuu Hakusho Forever. The developer’s decision to go with Cel-shaded polygons paid off. Not only does the game provide a look remniscent of the anime, it also means that the graphics age well compared to other 3D titles on the PS2. Audio is also what you’d expect – the sounds seem to be taken straight out of the show, and seeing the intro get recreated using the in-game engine is all sorts of awesome.

Content-wise, there’s nothing to complain about. You need to unlock most of them, but once you do you’ll have access to majority of the important characters in the series starting from the first major story arc to the last. This means you get the Toguros, Sensui Shinobu, and the four rulers of Makai. Additionally, the game also provides an alternate costume for most character instead of being mere palette swaps. You don’t have to contend with Yuusuke Urameshi’s ugly martial arts costume – you can play using his cool-looking school uniform.