Naruto Arena

Ok, so I have been slacking on my new gaming blog (I've been meaning to post my thoughts on Bioshock, having recently beaten it). It's all because of a game. A fairly simple little game called Naruto Arena. It is a free online game created and maintained by some Naruto fans. It is incredibly addicting. I play it every possible moment I can.

Let me break down the basic premise of the game. You pick three characters from across the Naruto storyline (up to the end of the "real" storyline of the original series, they are actually working on adding Shippuuden content right now). You then start a game and you are matched up against another opponent's 3 person team. You are matched based upon your ranking (more on this later). The game is turned based, with each person getting 60 seconds to select abilities each round. The abilities you choose are based on the characters on your team. Each character has 4 total abilities, with 3 unique abilities, and the ability to go invulnerable for one round. Abilities cost chakra. There are 4 types of chakra (Red, White, Blue, Green), and each of the abilities requires some amount of specific chakra and/or random chakra. You get 1 chakra per person alive on your team per turn (i.e. 3 a turn if all characters are alive). Each character has 100 health and the game ends when all characters are dead. Abilities have various effects. Some do damage, while others disable/debuff the opposing team or buff your own team.

In short, it is a lot like Magic: The Gathering, the card game. Chakra is like land, abilities are like cards in your deck, and you have a three person team basically. And similarly to Magic, Naruto Arena is very strategy intensive. You need to know what everyone one your team can do, and what situations the abilities are useful in, as well as know the characters and abilities your opponent is using, and how to prepare for them. When Rock Lee opens his 5th gate, you better believe he is about the lay the hurtin on your characters, so you better do anything you can to prevent damage for the next two rounds, or two of your characters will be dead. So, you better make sure each turn you know what is happening in the game. With this combination of deep strategy and luck embedded within the game, it is incredibly engaging. At this point, I have played over 150 games and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

This replayability is due to the Ninja Missions in the game, which are used to unlock characters. you gain the ability to complete missions as you move higher up the Ladder Rankings. The missions are things like "Win 4 games in a row with Naruto" or "Beat Gaara with Sasuke in your party 2 times" or any combination of these types of requirements. Some of the later missions require you to complete like 20 different objectives before the mission is complete. The missions basically follow the storyline of the series, and allow you to unlock powerful characters like Orochimaru and Jiraiya. There are a TON of missions, and you can be working on the objectives of all of them at once, as long as you meet the requirements. I want Kakashi!!

The only minor gripes I have with the game are the fact that is slightly buggy, and a bugged game can ruin a streak objective you have going, as you could automatically lose due to a bug or lag issue. Also, you are only allowed 60 seconds for your turn.

As I write this, there are over 3500 people logged in and playing Naruto Arena. It is really, really fun. So, if you are a fan of Naruto, or Magic, or any type of deep thinking game, I would suggest you give it a try. It is a ton of fun and a perfect distraction for class :-p.

Naruto Arena Enjoy!