Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2

***Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2*** is the sequel to *Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm*. It was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and Nintendo Switch.

An enhanced re-release was bundled in ***Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Trilogy/Legacy*** for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows. The game was once again rereleased for the Nintendo Switch in 2018.

## Gameplay

The gameplay retains many of the elements from the previous game. The game features 23 stages and 42 playable characters, two of which are secret characters. Some characters can also gain new combos and techniques by activating the Awakening Mode. Lars Alexandersson, a character from *Tekken 6* whose third costume was designed by Masashi Kishimoto, is also playable in the game. There are now "single" matches, which lets players play one on one matches in Vs mode, without the use of support characters.

Support characters make a return. This time around, there are three types of support characters: attack type, defence type and balance type. There is also a new feature, named "Drive Gauge", in the game. Depending on the Drive Gauge, players will be able to unleash devastating team Jutsu with the support characters. For example, if the player has the drive gauge half full, then if the player does certain actions, the support characters will do a special action. For example, if the player has an attack type support and then starts a combo, they will add to it; if the player has a defence type, then they will guard the player while charging chakra or when the opponent dashes at the player; if the player has a balance type, then they will throw their chakra enhanced shuriken when the player use chakra and get in the way of the player if the player is about to get hit by an Ultimate Jutsu (the support character will take the damage instead of the player, in turn that support cannot be called upon again for an extended duration). Additionally, choosing certain support characters with a chosen character can strengthen attack and defence, and give the player's team a name. For example, choosing any combination between Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi will be called 'Team 7'. Reverse Chakra Dashing is now included. Ultimate Jutsu have been shortened to real time, and button combinations do not make a return, this keeps offline and online gameplay fluid. For some characters, there are two usable Jutsu in one match: one basic Jutsu and an enhanced version. When using the Jutsu for the character, if the attack button is held, the Jutsu will be enhanced (Ex. Naruto using Rasengan as his normal technique, then turning into Big Ball Rasengan by holding the attack button). Some characters can use their jutsu in mid-air. Also, health has been reduced to two health bars, instead of the three given in the previous game. An exclusive "Shuriken Clash" is available in the "Sasuke vs. Itachi" boss battle, where the shuriken button must be pressed repeatedly to give or receive damage

Free roaming also makes a return. The game features a 1:1 recreation of Konohagakure. In addition to the village, players are able to roam outside the village, ranging from forests to deserts, and Amegakure to Sunagakure. Instead of being sandbox-style free roaming, the game is more RPG-like when it comes to exploration. Boss battles return, with quick-time events and cutscenes. Boss battles are divided into 2 or more parts, depending on the boss fight. For example, the Naruto vs. Kakashi boss fight (which is held at the Training Field) contains 2 parts: one of them is normal fighting; in the other part, after Sakura smashes her fist into the ground, the scene is changed into a new stage with water and rocks; in this part of the battle, Kakashi attacks with long-range techniques that the player must avoid.

In the quick-time event portions of boss battles, pressing the buttons quickly enough earns "Stars". Earning 80% of the stars by the end a battle activates "Secret Factors" which drive away from the main story to show what a character is thinking or flashbacks to Part I of the series; the Secret Factors further flesh out the story that is occurring at the current time.

Players can access multiple online features: quick matches, ranked matches, match customisation, as well as the availability to host matches.

## Characters

### Returning Characters

* Kakashi Hatake
* Might Guy
* Jiraiya
* Tsunade
* Orochimaru
* Kabuto Yakushi
* Itachi Uchiha
* Kisame Hoshigaki

### New Characters

* Naruto Uzumaki
* Naruto Uzumaki (Sage Mode)
* Sasuke Uchiha
* Sasuke Uchiha (The "Taka")
* Sakura Haruno
* Shikamaru Nara
* Chōji Akimichi
* Ino Yamanaka
* Rock Lee
* Tenten
* Hinata Hyūga
* Shino Aburame
* Kiba Inuzuka
* Neji Hyūga
* Sai
* Gaara
* Temari
* Chiyo
* Minato
* Suigetsu Hōzuki
* Jūgo
* Karin
* Pain
* Konan
* Sasori
* Deidara
* Kakuzu
* Hidan
* Tobi
* Killer Bee
* Lars Alexandersson