Review: Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

G'day there guys and gals.

To those who may remember, I swore off this series after my absolute displeasure at the last installment (UNS Revolution) and kept my word, up until a few days ago.
A friend managed to convince me to buy the game and try it out, claiming it to be the best in the UNS series. Although I wouldn't say it's the greatest, it is by far one of the best in the series.

Ultimate Ninja Storm 4's Story mode takes players right into the final battle between Hashirama and Madara, easing players into the game with a well planned out tutorial and control system. Combos and usage have not changed at all, but this is to be expected this far into the game. From here, players will (mostly) follow the story of Naruto and Sasuke during the Fourth Ninja War, starting slightly before the end of UNS 3's ending fight and will cover most of the major events in the game, at around 35 main missions (including small side fights and the two minute cutscene missions), the game being based around chapters almost set up as like a television series; set with minutes and difficulty level. The game also features Adventure, which allows players to take part in small missions in a (slightly) freeroam world set shortly after the Story timeline, set mostly around Naruto, Sakura and Hinata while including Memories to previous battles. Controls this time around are brilliantly done and lag is minimal. Gameplay is also fairly well done, especially in the story mode. There are some slight frame rate issues in Adventure when walking through dense/high NPC areas but otherwise is fine when it comes to the fighting and customisation options. The fights are incredible and often change up the pace with sections including specific rewards for completing certain tasks in game and fighting multiple enemies in a Horde like mode, while including one or two escape and defend areas against your opponent. These options pop in fairly often and allow players to fight more frequently with the larger beasts of the series as well as the more legendary scenes from the anime.

Graphics are very, very well done, especially in cutscenes, and the 2D effects in the smaller cutscenes (screencaps from the anime yet to be released) are great and innovative. Musical score is not much different from the other games but does well enough to differentiate from the rest (a special mention to the intro song which is still stuck in my head), while sound effects sadly remain the same across the board. Players also have the option to buying customisational options such as cards, voice audios, multiple costumes and substitution objects, titles and much more. The collectables you can collect via completing the mission stakes in Story can be used to be sold for more money as well as unlocking special items otherwise locked from you.
The multiplayer, where you can use these unlocked items, is brilliantly well done. customisation has reached the thousands and gives almost unending options for the players to choose from, not even beginning to mention the huge amounts of characters to play as in the game. Gameplay in multiplayer is also well done, with games being found quickly as you continue to customise, and I have yet to experience any real issues with the multiplayer. Players can also take part in Ranked or Player options for ease or challenge, as well as timed events which allow players to further unlock items via special tournaments and more.

There are a few issues here and there, such as the frame rate issues I mentions earlier, most of the Adventure areas still relatively the same (but I do praise them for changing the looks, especially the Leaf Village), controls not responding to in-game menus (which lead to prompts for resigning in, for some odd reason), but otherwise than those, the game worked well.

After finishing the main Story mode, it's clear that this game may very well be the final Naruto game, ever. Personally, I believe we'll see a Boruto game in the future (if the new manga does well or the movie is enough) but for now, I must admit that I'm a little saddened to see it go.
For me, there have been ups and downs for this series, but the way they send off the story, as well as the clear amount of love and hard work it took to create this game the way it is, the people behind the UNJ series have made a final title to be proud of. I was surprised at times how much effort and time was put in to be able to have these huge open areas in the main fight, and how much more extensive the freeroam had become.
Sure, I still hold fond memories for my all time favourite game in the long list of Naruto games, but this one has definitely left an imprint on my memory and my childhood. Bravo!

Out of 10, I give Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 an 7/10

UNS 4 is out now for the standard price of $90

Review: Unravel

G'day there guys and gals.

Very few games today share a special, thoughtful message. In our lifestyle, our world is becoming slowly more machine-like; cities popping up everywhere, our lives rushed and busy, it becomes harder and harder to slow down and appreciate the simple things, like friendships, love, family.
That is the tale of Unravel; a heartfelt message of love, bonds and mending what is become tangled or broken. 

Players play as Yarny, a small doll made entirely of yarn. And as you set off into the world, you come across a small book of pictures, dulled with time. It's up to you to return to those areas and recover the memories and love lost in a journey of selflessness, passion and optimism.
Gameplay is brilliant and simple, to where even the newest of gamers could pick it up instantly; players must traverse the area using their yarn as a rope to climb, create bridges or spring up to higher areas, drag objects and much more. Each area differs greatly in what must be done, and the puzzles will become steadily harder and harder as you progress. And failure to traverse puzzles may lead to Yarny tumbling down, huffing for air or simply, die. There are collectibles to collect along the way that adds certain souvenirs the family gathered during their travels, if you can find them all as you go.
Storyline takes a surprising twist, as players will discover the story mainly through both the memories and the in game playable menu's picture book, with each level having a small description. The story itself revolves around a single family, traveling together as they explore and enjoy life, while also focusing on Yarny's determination to collect small buttons of yarn, left behind by the family. To say any more would spoil the game and I can't risk that.
Sound effects are beautifully made, especially the rain and snow sounds, and add incredible atmosphere to both the dark and light areas of the game. But what really makes them more beautiful is the graphics. Without a doubt, Unravel's look is borderline realistic, the textures used with everything from the trees and ice, to machinery and smaller details (such as the various animals you'll meet along the way) look incredible. The human models are by far the best, and mold well with the real life images you will see.
Finally, one of the strongest assets this game has is the musical score. To put it bluntly, I need the musical score of the game NOW. From the heartfelt strings to the piano, every piece of music you encounter in the game will move and touch any gamer and unfreeze any cold heart. Flying in the breeze, freezing in the snow, traversing through junk yards, every piece is utterly incredible.

As a reviewer, I am supposed to mix both my criticisms with my experience of the game, but in truth, I have no criticisms. I experienced no crashes, no screen tears, not a single problem throughout the entire gaming experience. And in truth, I was incredibly moved by this game. It has been a very, very long time since a game has touched me on such an emotional level. I found myself chanting "You can do it Yarny!" as I played, which is a first for me! I felt shock, joy, serenity, peace, fear, and so much more the further I went and the more I explored. 

For such a cheap asking price, eight hours of gameplay and certainly plenty of replayability, Unravel is a definite must own for any gamer. The small team behind Unravel have made an exalted, magnificent game that is worthy of Game Of The Year.
I cannot praise this game enough and cannot put into words how much I implore you to play this game and support Coldwood Interactive. An utterly beautiful game.

Out of 10, I give Unravel a 10/10

PERFECT SCORE

Unravel is out now for the standard price of $30