I came to Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker expecting a team-focused, online playground where Naruto’s fast, acrobatic fights translated into coordinated four-player clashes. What I found was a game with bold ideas, a distinct visual voice, and a mix of systems that reward patience and persistence—sometimes in spite of themselves. As an explorer of game worlds, I spent enough time in its arenas to understand both its peaks and its stubborn faults. Here’s how it plays from the field.
Overall Impressions
Shinobi Striker stands out because it refuses to be another single-player Naruto fighter. Soleil Ltd. and Bandai Namco pushed the series into a competitive, objective-driven space where you build a custom ninja and fight as a unit. That direction is refreshing and often brilliant. When your team syncs up, battles feel like small-scale skirmishes from the anime.
The game is also held back by clunky systems, rough netcode, and a player base that leans heavily on experience or purchased advantages. Compared to arena fighters and team-based action games, Shinobi Striker is more about team roles and custom loadouts than flashy solo combos. If you value creativity and team play, it has something unique to offer. If you want polished, balanced ranked competition, you may face frustration.
Gameplay Mechanics
The core of Shinobi Striker is the four-class, four-player setup with deep customization. You choose a class—attacker, defender, ranged, or support—then craft your jutsu set and weapons to fit a role. Movement is rapid: parkour, dashes, and air combos create a sense of momentum that is often exhilarating. When my team executed a coordinated push to capture an objective, the game felt electric. Smoke, clones, substitutions, and a well-timed jutsu all came together in those moments.
Where it stumbles is in the smaller systems. The lock-on can be frustrating, often failing to target the enemy you expect in the heat of battle. Hit detection and some animations feel awkward, which many players described as “clunky.” Matches can fall into repetition if you don’t explore builds or modes. Some players I spoke with complained about this early on, though long-term players noted it improves as you unlock gear and master the systems.
Customization is a major strength. Surprising wardrobe pieces and obscure Naruto references reward collector instincts. But balance issues, DLC power differences, and cheating remain community complaints. In short: combat is rewarding when it clicks, but it demands patience and tolerance for rough edges.
Story and Characters
If you’re looking for a strong single-player narrative, this isn’t the draw. The game borrows characters, aesthetics, and lore from Naruto and Boruto, but the narrative mainly serves as a backdrop for multiplayer.
Where it succeeds is in how the world feels lived-in. Recognizable headbands, obscure hairstyles, and fan-service items create a convincing toybox for fans. NPCs and occasional event modes add flavor, but you won’t remember Shinobi Striker for an epic campaign. The real character shines through player interaction—the rival clans in the lobby, the builds your friends create, and the moments of team synergy when everyone plays their part.
Visuals and Graphics
Soleil designed the game with a different style from the more cinematic Naruto fighters. The cel-shaded, anime-forward graphics give the arenas a bright, kinetic look that suits the fast movement. It’s not the most technically refined game, but it nails the anime spectacle.
Jutsu look punchy, smoke and effects read clearly in combat chaos, and customization items pop with flair. Performance can vary by platform and match, but the anime aesthetic is one of the game’s strongest cards—especially for players who prefer authenticity over photorealism.
Sound and Music
The audio supports the action. Punchy hit sounds, whooshing jutsu effects, and musical stings styled after the series create the right mood. Voice clips and reactions land well, and the music ramps up during key skirmishes. It’s not a standout soundtrack outside the game, but in-session it adds clarity and drama to battles.
Difficulty and Replayability
Shinobi Striker rewards time and persistence. Many players report a steep learning curve and a rough early experience. Matches feel unforgiving, and you will lose often while learning. Yet that barrier also acts as a filter. Persistent players can master classes, refine builds, and uncover depth.
Replayability comes from customization, new DLC characters, and the social layer. Forming teams, battling rival clans, or chasing completion goals adds longevity. Still, deterrents exist: cheating, weak reporting tools, and perceived pay-to-win DLC. If you enjoy grinding and customization and can find a group, the game offers long-term rewards. Solo players chasing ranked perfection will face more tests.
Community, Post-Launch Support and Trivia
Released on August 31, 2018, Shinobi Striker has enjoyed steady post-launch support. New maps, events, and DLC characters extended its life and kept a core community engaged. Soleil Ltd. and Bandai Namco committed to this multiplayer shift, a clear departure from narrative-heavy Naruto entries.
The community is smaller than mainstream esports titles but very dedicated. You’ll quickly learn familiar names and clans. Players often note that buying the Ultimate Edition on sale, which bundles DLC, is the better value if you want a rich roster early.
Final Thoughts
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker is a brave pivot for the franchise. It gives fans the joy of building a personal ninja and fighting as a team in arenas that feel like distilled anime battles.
It’s not without flaws. Clunky systems, balance problems, and cheating hold it back from being a polished competitive experience. Yet for the right player—someone who loves customization, teamwork, and the Naruto universe—it offers memorable clashes and deep rewards.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Who should play it: Naruto fans who want a team-based, creative playground; players who enjoy customization and cooperative play.
Who should be cautious: Competitive players looking for a perfectly balanced ranked ladder with strong anti-cheat.
If you go in with patience and the right expectations, you’ll discover some very satisfying Shinobi moments. I recommend playing with a small group—the game truly shines when your team moves as one.
Add Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker to your Steam collection!
