Samstag, 18. Dezember 2021

Review: "Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 - Road to Boruto" - A masterpiece eclipsing all of the previous "Naruto Storm" games

After it has been released 2016
for XBoxOne, PS4 & PC, it was
ported for the Nintendo Switch
in the year 2020 as well
The beat'em up game Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 - Road to Boruto has really a lot to offer. Myself, I possess the Switch version having been released on 2020/4/23 but I've played this game before on the PS4 with friends on their home. One of said friends said to me, shortly before, analogously: "Once you played this game, you won't wanna play the previous games of this game series anymore" - and he was right.

For anticipation: This game is the most magnificent game of the Naruto (Shippūden) Storm game series ever and it still makes great fun, a fortiori when you play it with friends. But playing this game online against players from all over the world is exciting as well cuz it motivates you to improve your gaming skills so that you're ideally on pro gamer level.

Absolutely, this game merits to be reviewed by myself. Well then, in the following, I'm gonna elaborate in this article:
  • how accurate the story line from Naruto, Guy and Kakashi vs. Obito onwards has been reflected by the Story mode and the plot of Boruto - Naruto the Movie (2015) by the Boruto's Tale mode
  • how good the character roaster as well as the skins cover the entire range
  • which gameplay novelty has levelled-up this game on the G.O.A.T. level to the extent that it's gonna presumably be considered as a timeless classic even in ten, twenty years (and I suppose, you know what I'm referring to).
  • and last but not least: how this game could be "updated" by additional patches and DLC, so it might be levelled-up on EVEN GREATER heights.
With that in mind and without further ado, let's go:

1) The plot-related modes, the character roaster and the gameplay
It's great fun beating the main story mode as well as the Boruto's Tale part. Especially considering when the former was adapted way before everything from the fight against Kaguya Ōtsutsuki (大筒木カグヤ) onwards wasn't still animated in Naruto Shippūden, it was nonetheless stunning. And the analogue way the colorations have been utilized in this game where adapted afterwards Naruto Shippūden, safe for some coloring nuances:
Above: The beginning of the Final Battle Naruto vs. Sasuke as
portrayed in the cutscenes in Storm 4
Below: the same scene as portrayed in the double-episode from
the anime Naruto Shippūden
As you can see, the fight between Naruto and Sasuke begins in the game at sunset while said fight commences in broad daylight. Honestly, I personally think that the latter form of presentation is way better but this is a different story.

Anyways, the aforementioned game's novelty is about the so-called Leader Swap: When you choose three characters for a fight, you can swap between them, EVERYTIME during a fight - even during the Awakening State. But in order to not become too op, the max. three characters you choose share the same life energy bar.
Consequently, there're no Support-Only Characters in Storm 4, hence it's the first time that there ain't support characters in an installment of this game series. And it's good this way. Cuz let uns be honest: 
They were superfluous either way cuz whether you implement a character in the game ENTIRELY as a playable character or you refrain from it. No things by half-measures.
Besides, unlike the previous games, you can set a fight in Storm 4 also in a max. three-round fight. Also being worth to mention is that you can the Ultimate Jutsu typ and the Awakening Type IN THE SAME FIGHT, so it's not like Naruto Shippūden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution (2014) where you had to choose one of them prior to a fight.

2) How this game might be levelled-up on EVEN GREATER heights by additional DLCs and patches?
Feel free to admit it: You also wish that the character roaster of Storm 4 was expanded by MUCH MORE characters having debuted at the latest in Boruto - Naruto Next Generations (manga since 2016 and the eponymous anime since 2017), e.g. Iwabee Yuino (結乃イワベエ) and Kawaki (カワキ). 
Furthermore, there're other characters not having been implemented as well in Storm 4. For instance, Toneri Ōtsutsuki (大筒木トネリ) who's the antagonist from The Last - Naruto the Movie (2014) hasn't been implemented yet - let alone, a mode based on this movie. The latter could also be implemented. 
Moreover, further jutsu which might be used as custom moves as well as potenzial alternate skins mustn't miss, for instance, this Jutsu:
風遁・烈風拳、Fūton: Reppūshō
These are plenty of other jutsu having debuted in Boruto - Naruto Next Generations or being more relevant in the same, e.g.:
  • all variations of the Boruto Stream so far, Boruto's High Compression Rasengan (having also used during the rematch against Deepa) and at least three further jutsu of his repertoire as well:
The Boruto Stream variation used in the Genin exam:
The Gale Palm combined with a tackle while holding
a Lightning Style loaded kunai
Pic No. 1) Windstyle: Rasengan (風遁・螺旋丸 、Fūton: Rasengan)
Pic No. 2) Compressive Rasengan (圧縮螺旋丸 、Asshuku Rasengan)
Pic No. 3) Lightning Style: Thunderclap Arrow (雷遁・迅雷箭 、Raiton: Jinraisen)
Pic No. 4) Water Style: Wave Surge (水遁・波濤 、Suiton: Hatō)
  • Above: The clash between Mitsuki's
    Snake Lightning and Kakashi's
    Purple Lightning during said Genin exam
    Below: Sarada using the Lightning Ball
    technique for the first time
    Mitsukis Lightning Style: Snake Lightning (雷遁・蛇雷 、Raiton: Hebi Ikazuchi) which he has relatively often used, already before his graduation to a Genin back then. Even during the fight against Kakashi who was the Genin examiner (see the right pic).
  • Saradas Lightning Balls (in Japanese: 雷球、raikyū) which she had copied from Buntan Kurosuki (黒鋤文淡) during the School Trip arc. Of course, since then, Sarada has often used this jutsu (see the right pic)
  • and Kakashis Lightning Style: Purple Electricity (雷遁・紫電 、Raiton: Shiden) which has been used even during Boruto and Co.'s Genin exam (as you can sie in the right pic).
Up to this point, all of them and this ain't been implemented in Storm 4. What they're waiting for? If they focused upon of all this like they do so concerning, e.g. in the game Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker (2018, for PS4, XBoxOne and PC) and in the app game Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage (2017 for iOS and Android), Storm 4 would've already become a game on super g.o.a.t. level.
Enclosed, there're some suggestions of mine in which extent and amount the additional characters, jutsu, custom moves and alternate skins might be implemented as DLC packs in Storm 4 (without intending to be exhaustive):

Storm Extra Pack Vol. 1 - Blank Period & New Era
  • Implementing these characters and
    jutsu, respectively, in Storm 4 is 
    way overdue.
    Say no more.
    Boruto Uzumaki (all variations of the Boruto Stream)
  • Mitsuki (Lightning Style: Snake Lightning), plus the Jōnin outfit from the Hidden Sound Village as alternate skin. Of course, his Sage Mode shall be implemented as Awakening State.
  • Sarada Uchiha (Lightning Ball). As she had copied the jutsu Lightning Style: Overdrive from Buntan as well, this might be implemented as Sarada's Awakening State either.
  • Kakashi Hatake (Lightning Style: Purple Electricity), receiving two additional skins: the outfit from The Last as well as his outfit Boruto. The latter should be implemented as default skin.
  • Konohamaru Sarutobi (adult), with that black outfit as alternate skin
  • Shikadai Nara
  • Log (the older clone brother from der Mitsuki)
  • Toneri Ōtsutsuki
additional alternate skins for:
  • Sasuke' outfit as portrayed
    in Sasuke Shinden
    (i.e. Shippūden Episodes
    484-488)
    Ōrochimaru (his default outfit in Boruto as well as the Jōnin outfit from the Hidden Sound)
  • Sasuke Uchiha (Sasuke Shinden-Design + Jōnin outfit which he had worn in Tsunade's dream caused by the Infinite Tsukuyomi)
  • Kakashi Hatake (WITHOUT mask)
  • Naruto Uzumaki (Jōnin outfit even though he was technically still a Genin before he became Hokage)
  • Naruto Uzumaki (Casual Outfit from The Last, with that orange hooded jacket)
  • Naruto Uzuamki (current default outfit WITHOUT his Hokage Cape)

Storm Extra Pack Vol. 2 - Past & Present
  • If Yahiko should ever included as a real
    playable character, the Pain skin based on
    alive-Yahiko shall be removed by a patch
    Yahiko (as standalone character)
  • Jūzo Biwa
  • Kagura Karatachi
  • Metal Lee
  • Chōjūrō (Mizukage)
  • Kurotsuchi (Tsuchikage)
  • Darui (Raikage)
  • Urashiki Ōtsutsuki
  • Shin Uchiha (not only the father but also the clone son)
additional alternative Skins:
  • Boruto Uzumaki (Time Slip-arc outfit)
  • Sasuke Uchiha (Time Slip-arc outfit)
  • Hidan (Pre-Akatsuki outfit according to Itachi Shinden)
  • Shisui Uchiha (Jōnin outfit)

Storm Extra Pack Vol 3 - Emerge of Kara 
(in a pinch, this DLC pack might be splitted in half)
  • Of course, the Baryon Mode might also
    be an Awakened form in Storm 4.
    Same should also apply for:
    - Boruto's Kāma
    - Victor's additional arms emerging
    from his shoulders
    -Deepa's Metal Armor
    - Ao's drones
    - Sumire's summoning of the Nue
    - Kawaki's Kāma

    Boruto Uzumaki (High Compressive Rasengan)
  • Sarada Uchiha (Chidori)
  • Naruto Uzumaki (Baryon Mode)
  • Victor
  • Deepa
  • Ao
  • Sumire Kakei
  • Garō
  • Katasuke Tōno (Scientist outfit + Shinobi Outfit + Armor)
  • Kōji Kashin (with and without mask)
  • Kawaki  with the arm prothesis as well as his normal right arm
  • Jigen
  • Isshiki Ōtsutsuki
  • Code

Storm Extra Pack Vol. 4 - Chūnin-Re-Examination
  • Ideas for Awakenings:
    - Activated Byakugan for Himawari
    - Denki using Lightning Style: Overdrive
    - Shinki's Iron Sand Wings
    - Wasabis cat transformation
    Chōchō's Butterfly Mode
    Denki Kaminarimon
  • Iwabee Yuino
  • Shinki
  • Hōki Taketori
  • Inojin Yamanaka
  • Himawari Uzumaki
  • Wasabi Izuno
  • Namida Suzumeno
  • Chōchō Akimichi
additional alternate skins:
  • Chūnin vest for Sarada, Denki, Wasabi and Hōki
  • for Denki, additionally, that green overall
  • and last but not least: The respective Pre-Graduation outfits from Boruto and Co.
In regard of these, there're also plenty Storm 4 mod showcases on YouTube, so you can better imagine how it'd kinda look like if these characters, alternative customes and custom moves were implemented in the game itself. On the one hand, there're really magnificent mods on par with professional game designers and programmers and on the other hand, there're some mods where you quickly realize that there was nothing but picking available charcters and just swapping the skins. A selection of said mods having been magnificently made have been linked in the PS below.
And yes, I know that not every arc from Boruto - Naruto Next Generations can been adapted in Storm 4 but nevertheless, at least following arc could be added as playable story modes:
  • The Shin Uchiha arc (which should be the only part of the Pre-Graduation arcs being adapted in this game)
  • The Time Slip arc
  • The Mujina Bandits arc
  • The entire Kara-Arc (including the Kawaki arc)
  • The Chūnin-Re-Examination arc
  • The Code's Revenge arc (which shouldn't be adapted until it has been adapted in the anime cuz it's still in the manga currently, thus it's just a matter of time)
Concerning patches, if it comes to a power creep due to all the aforementioned potential additional characters and jutsu, a few patches may be fix the power creeps. Because experience has shown that something like this can be facilitate a power creep in a beat'em up game, so patches have to be gotten underway in order to make the power balance happen.

All in all, the game Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 - Road to Boruto is great fun to the extent that you won't wanna play its predecessors anymore. Indeed, in my assessment, the Leader Swap feature was decisive for this game's magnificentment, considering that it facilitates regarding this game as a timeless classic - even several decades later.
I rate this game with 4 of 5 stars. But if it was already kinda updated by the potential DLCs suggested by myself, I would've scored this game even with a 5 of 5 stars rating. But self-evidently, time will tell.
And now, I'd be interested in knowing whaddaya think about this game (for the case if you've also played it before): Can you also relate with that what I've stated aforementioned, i.e. once you played this game, you won't wanna play the previous games of this game series anymore? And do you also wish that this game was "updated" by additional DLCs and patches? Do you have other suggestions for potential DLC packs as well? Don't hesitate writing it in the comments.

PS: Here's a selection of showcase videos about Storm 4 mods which I've found on YouTube:
PSS: Here you can go to my other Naruto franchise-related articles:
Here you can go to my other articles from the rubric "Review":
Eingestellt von um Keine Kommentare:

Review: "Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 - Road to Boruto" - ein Meisterwerk, das all seine Vorgänger in den Schatten stellt

Nachdem dieses Spiel 2016 für
XBox One, PS4 & PC rauskam,
erschien es 2020 auch für die
Nintendo Switch
Das Beat'em-Up Spiel Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 - Road to Boruto hatte es ganz schön in sich. Ich selbst besitze zwar die Switch-Version, die am 23.04.2020 rauskam, doch davor hatte ich bereits - bei Freunden - auf der PS4 dieses Spiel gespielt. Einer besagter Freunde meinte, kurz vorher, zu mir sinngemäß: "Sobald du dieses Spiel einmal gespielt hast, wirst du dann die Vorgängerspiele nie wieder mehr spielen wollen" - und er hatte recht.

Um es vorwegzunehmen: Dieses Spiel ist tatsächlich das bisher beste Spiel aus der Naruto (Shippūden) Storm-Reihe aller Zeiten und es macht nach wie vor Riesenspaß, erst recht, wenn man es mit Freunden spielt. Aber in diesem Spiel auch online gegen Leute aus aller Welt zu spielen, ist ebenfalls spannend, gerade weil dies sogar einen noch größeren Ansporn gibt, seine Gaming Skills auf das nächste Level zu bringen, auf dass man sich dann - im Idealfall - sogar im Pro-Niveau befindet.

Auf jeden Fall ist dieses Spiel es mehr als würdig, dass ich darüber eine Review mache. Also dann, im Folgenden werde ich in diesem Artikel darauf eingehen,
  • wie akkurat der Story-Modus den gesamten Plot ab dem Kampf Naruto, Guy & Kakashi vs. Obito aufwärts und der Modus Borutos Geschichte-Part den Plot von Boruto - Naruto the Movie (2015) wiedergeben.
  • wie gut der Character Roaster sowie die ganzen Skins das gesamte Spektrum abdecken
  • welches Gameplay-Novum das Spiel so sehr auf das Goat-Level brachte, dass es - im Gegensatz zu den Vorgängern - voraussichtlich (selbst nach 10, 20 Jahren) ein zeitloser Klassiker bleiben wird (und ihr ahnt bestimmt schon, auf welches Novum ich verweise)
  • und last but not least: wie man dieses Spiel, durch weitere Patches und DLCs, das Spiel "aktualisieren" und somit auf ein NOCH HÖHERES Level bringen könnte
Also in dem Sinne und ohne weiter rumzuschnacken, let's go:

1) Die Story-Modi, Character Roaster und das Gameplay
Sowohl den Hauptstory-Modus als auch den Borutos Geschichte-Part durchzuspielen, macht echt Spaß. Vor allem wenn man bedenkt, dass das Spiel zu dem Zeitpunkt entstand, in dem alles ab dem Kampf gegen Kaguya Ōtsutsuki (大筒木カグヤ) noch nicht in dem Anime Naruto Shippūden adaptiert wurde, war das ziemlich fesselnd. Und die entsprechenden Colorierungen, die damals verwendet wurden, wurden auch so in Naruto Shippūden übernommen, bis auf einige Colorierungsnuancen:
Oben: Der Beginn des finalen Kampfes Naruto vs. Sasuke, wie
es in den Cutscenes von Storm 4 dargestellt wird
Unten: Dieselbe Szene, wie sie in jener Doppelfolge
des Animes Naruto Shippūden dargestellt wird
Da sieht man, dass der Kampf zwischen Naruto und Sasuke in dem Spiel beim Sonnenuntergang beginnt, während er in dem Anime praktisch am hellichsten Tage anfängt. Letztere Darstellungsweise finde ich jedoch viel besser, ehrlich gesagt. Aber das ist ein anderes Thema.

Jedenfalls handelt es sich bei dem eingangs angedeuteten Novum um den sogenannten Leader Swap: Wenn man drei Charaktere gewählt hat, kann man - während des Kampfes - JEDERZEIT zwischen ihnen wechseln, selbst im Erwacht-Zustand. Aber damit es nicht zu op wird, teilen die max. drei Charaktere, die ihr gewählt habt, dieselbe Lebensanzeige.
Im Folge dessen wurden auch diese Support Characters abgeschafft. Denn seien wir mal ehrlich: Die waren doch sowieso unnötig, denn entweder implementiert man die Charaktere GANZ in dem Roaster als spielbare Charaktere oder man lässt es einfach. Keine halben Sachen.
Des Weiteren kann man, anders als in den Vorgängerspielen, es in Storm 4 ebenfalls so einstellen, dass ein Kampf max. drei Runden dauert. Erwähnenswert ist auch, dass man wieder Ultimate-Jutsu-Typ und der Erwacht-Typ wieder GLEICHZEITIG im Kampf benutzbar sind und nicht so wie bei Naruto Shippūden Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution (2014), wo es vor einem Kampf ein "Entweder oder" war, wenn man es einstellen wollte.

2) Wie könnte man dieses Spiel, mithilfe weiterer Patches und DLCs, auf ein NOCH HÖHERES Level bringen?
Gebt es ruhig zu: Ihr wünscht euch doch ebenfalls, dass der Character Roaster von Storm 4 um NOCH MEHR Charaktere wird, die spätestens in Boruto - Naruto Next Generations (Manga 2016-heute und der gleichnamige Anime 2017- heute) debütierten wie z.B. Iwabee Yuino (結乃イワベエ) oder Kawaki (カワキ). 
Auch gibt es Charaktere, die generell bis heute nicht in Storm 4 implementiert wurden. So wurde beispielsweise Toneri Ōtsutsuki (大筒木トネリ), der Antagonist aus The Last - Naruto the Movie (2014), immer noch nicht implementiert - geschweige denn, ein Modus basierend auf diesen Film. Letzteres könnte man ebenfalls einbauen.
Auch weitere als Custom Moves zu benutzende Jutsu sowie alternative Skins dürfen natürlich nicht fehlen, wie das hier zum Beispiel:
風遁・烈風拳、Fūton: Reppūshō
(Name in der deutschen Fassung: Windversteck: Sturmhand)
Als da wären noch weitere zahlreiche Jutsu, die erstmals in Boruto - Naruto Next Generations auftauchten oder im Selbigen eine noch größere Relevanz bekommen haben, wie z.B.:
  • die bisherigen Variationen des Boruto Streams, Borutos Kompressions-Rasengan (das auch beim Rematch gegen Deepa zum Einsatz kam) sowie mindestens drei weitere Jutsu von seinem Repertoire:
Die Boruto Stream Variate in der Genin-Prüfung:
Das Reppūshō in Kombination mit einem Tackle und gleichzeitigem
Einsetzen eines mit Raiton geladenem Kunai
1. Bild) Fūton: Rasengan (風遁・螺旋丸 、deutscher Name: Windversteck: Rasengan)
2. Bild) Kompressions-Rasengan (圧縮螺旋丸 、Asshuku Rasengan)
3. Bild) Raiton: Jinraisen (雷遁・迅雷箭 、deutscher Name: Blitzversteck: Donnerschlag-Pfeil)
4. Bild) Suiton: Hatō (水遁・波濤 、Wasserversteck: Brandungswelle)
  • Oben: Mitsukis Schlangenblitze
    und Kakashis Shiden prallen, während 
    besagter Genin-Prüfung, aufeinander
    Unten: Sarada, als sie erstmals 
    die Kugenblitz-Technik einsetzte
    Mitsukis Schlangenblitze (im Japanischen: 雷遁・蛇雷 、Raiton: Hebi Ikazuchi, in der deutschen Fassung: Blitzversteck: Schlangenblitze), ein Jutsu, welches Mitsuki - bereits vor seiner Graduierung zum Genin - relativ oft benutzt hat. Selbst beim Kampf gegen Kakashi, welcher der die Genin-Prüfung abnahm (siehe rechtes Bild)
  • Saradas Kugelblitze (im Japanischen: 雷球 、raikyū), die sie - während des School Trip-Arcs - von Buntan Kurosuki (黒鋤文淡) kopiert und sich somit zu Eigen gemacht hat (siehe Bild rechts). Seitdem hatte Sarada dieses Jutsu natürlich schon mehrmals benutzt.
  • oder Kakashis lilafarbene Blitze (雷遁・紫電 、Raiton: Shiden, wörtl. Blitzfreisetzung: Lilafarbene Elektrizität, aber in der deutschen Fassung einfach nur: Shiden), die Kakashi - als Genin-Prüfungsleiter - auch bei der Genin-Prüfung von Boruto und Co. benutzt hatte (siehe Bild rechts)
Bisher wurden diese immer noch nicht in Storm 4 implementiert. Worauf warten die denn eigentlich? Wenn die sich darauf denselben Fokus legen würden, wie es auch z.B. bei dem Spiel Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker (2018, für PS4, XBoxOne und PC) und beim App-Spiel Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage (2017 für iOS und Android) tun, dann wäre Storm 4 längst sogar ein Spiel auf Super Goat-Level.
Anbei ein paar Vorschläge von mir, in welchem Umfang die weiteren Charaktere, Custom Moves und alternativen Skins in Storm 4 als DLC-Packs hinzugefügt werden können (ohne einen Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit zu erheben):

Storm Extra Pack Vol. 1 - Blank Period & New Era
  • Diese Charaktere bzw. diese Jutsu
    in Storm 4 einzubauen, ist schon längst
    überfällig.
    Mehr muss ich dazu nicht sagen.
    Boruto Uzumaki (alle bisherigen Variationen des Boruto Streams)
  • Mitsuki (Blitzversteck: Schlangenblitze), der auch zusätzlich die Jōnin-Kleidung von Otogakure als alternativen Skin bekommen soll. Selbstverständlich sollte bei ihm auch der Eremiten-Modus als Erwacht-Zustand implementiert werden.
  • Sarada Uchiha (Kugelblitz). Da sie das Raiton: Overdrive ebenfalls von Buntan kopiert hatte, könnte man bei Sarada dieses Jutsu auch als Erwacht-Modus implementieren.
  • Kakashi Hatake (Raiton: Shiden), der dann zweierlei Skins bekommt: sowohl die Kleidung von The Last als auch seine jetzige Kleidung in Boruto. Letztere sollte am besten als Standard-Skin gesetzt werden.
  • Konohamaru Sarutobi (Erwachsener), mit diesem einen schwarzen Oberteil als alternativen Skin
  • Shikadai Nara
  • Log (der ältere Klon-Bruder von Mitsuki)
  • Toneri Ōtsutsuki
zusätzliche alternative Skins für:
  • Sasukes Outfit in Sasuke Shinden
    (i.e. Shippūden Episodes 484-488)
    Ōrochimaru (Standard-Outfit in Boruto und die Jōnin-Kleidung von Otogakure)
  • Sasuke Uchiha (Sasuke Shinden-Design + Jōnin-Kleidung, die er - in Tsunades Traum durch das Ewige Tsukuyomi - getragen hatte)
  • Kakashi Hatake (OHNE Maske)
  • Naruto Uzumaki (Jōnin-Kleidung, auch wenn er - technisch gesehen - immer noch ein Genin war, bevor er Hokage wurde)
  • Naruto Uzumaki (sein Casual Outfit von The Last, mit dieser orangefarbenen Kapuzenjacke)
  • Naruto Uzumaki (sein aktuelles Standard-Outfit OHNE seinen Hokage-Umhang)

Storm Extra Pack Vol. 2 - Past & Present
  • Wenn Yahiko jemals als richtiger, spielbarer
    Charakter implementiert werden sollte,
     dann sollte auch dieser Pain-Skin, der auf
    Alive-Yahiko basiert, umgehend - durch
    einen Patch - entfernt werden
    Yahiko (als Standalone Character)
  • Jūzo Biwa
  • Kagura Karatachi
  • Metal Lee
  • Chōjūrō (Mizukage)
  • Kurotsuchi (Tsuchikage)
  • Darui (Raikage)
  • Urashiki Ōtsutsuki
  • Shojoji
  • Shin Uchiha (nicht nur den Vater, sondern auch der Klon-Sohn)
zusätzliche alternative Skins:
  • Boruto Uzumaki (Time Slip-Arc Kleidung)
  • Sasuke Uchiha (Time Slip-Arc Kleidung)
  • Hidan (Pre-Akatsuki-Kleidung gemäß Itachi Shinden)
  • Shisui Uchiha (Jōnin-Kleidung)

Storm Extra Pack Vol 3 - Emerge of Kara 
(notfalls könnte man diesen DLC-Pack in zwei splitten)
  • Selbstredend könnte Naruto's Bayron Mode
    auch als Erwacht-Zustand implementiert
    werden.
    Selbes sollte auch gelten für:
    - Borutos Kāma
    - Victors zusätzliche Arme, die aus seinen
    Schultern herauswachsen
    -Deepas Metallausrüstung
    - Aos Drohnen
    - Sumires Nue-Beschwörung
    - Kawakis Kāma

    Boruto Uzumaki (Kompressiv-Rasengan)
  • Sarada Uchiha (Chidori)
  • Naruto Uzumaki (Baryon-Modus)
  • Victor
  • Deepa
  • Ao
  • Sumire Kakei
  • Garō
  • Katasuke Tōno (Scientist-Kleidung + Ninja-Kleidung + Ausrüstung)
  • Kōji Kashin (mit und ohne Maske)
  • Kawaki, sowohl mit Armprothese als auch mit seinem normalen, rechten Arm
  • Jigen
  • Isshiki Ōtsutsuki
  • Code

Storm Extra Pack Vol. 4 - Chūnin-Re-Examination
  • Ideen für Erwacht-Zustände:
    - Himawaris aktivierte Byakugan
    - Denkis Anwendung des Jutsu Blitzversteck: Overdrive
    - Shinkis Eisensand-Flügel
    - Wasabis Katzenform
    - Chōchōs Schmetterlingform
    Denki Kaminarimon
  • Iwabee Yuino
  • Shinki
  • Hōki Taketori
  • Inojin Yamanaka
  • Himawari Uzumaki
  • Wasabi Izuno
  • Namida Suzumeno
  • Chōchō Akimichi
zusätzliche alternative Skins:
  • Chūnin-Weste bei Sarada, Denki, Wasabi und Hōki
  • für Denki zusätzlich noch dieser eine grüne Overall
  • und last but not least: die jeweiligen Pre-Graduation-Outfits von Boruto und Co.
Vor diesem Hintergrund all dessen gibt es auch auf YouTube zahlreiche Showcase-Videos, in denen Storm 4-Mods gezeigt werden, sodass man auch schon mal eine Vorstellung davon aus, diese es ungefähr aussehen würde, wenn man diese Charaktere in Storm 4 implementiert hätte. Die einen Mods sind wirklich gut gemacht, aber bei anderen wiederum merkt man, dass lediglich ein vorhandener Charakter genommen und nur die Skins ausgetauscht wurden. 
Eine Auswahl von besagten Mods, die wirklich gut gemacht sind, habe ich euch unten im PS verlinkt.
Und ja, ich weiß, man wird nicht alle Arcs aus Boruto - Naruto Next Generations in das Spiel Storm 4 adaptieren können, aber wenigstens sollten folgende Arcs als spielbare Story-Modi hinzugefügt werden:
  • Der Shin Uchiha-Arc (welcher als einziger Part des Pre-Graduation-Arcs in das Spiel adaptiert werden sollte)
  • Der Time Slip-Arc
  • Der Mujina Bandits-Arc
  • Der Kara-Arc (inkl. des Kawaki-Arcs)
  • Der Chūnin-Re-Examination-Arc
  • Der Code's Revenge-Arc (aber erst dann, wenn er bereits im Anime adaptiert worden ist, weil dies bisher nur im Manga ist und es daher nur noch eine Frage der Zeit ist, bis auch dieser Arc animiert wird)
Was Patches anbelangt, falls es - aufgrund der oben erwähnten, potenziellen zusätzlichen Charakteren und Jutsu - zu einem Power Creep kommen sollte, dann können ein paar Patches diesen Power Creep fixen. Denn die Erfahrung zeigt, dass so etwas einen Power Creep in einem Beat'em-Up Spiel begünstigen kann, sodass Patches in die Wege geleitet werden müssen, um die Power Balance hervorzubringen.

Alles in allem macht das Spiel Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 - Road to Boruto echt einen so großen Spaß, dass man dann die vorigen Spiele dann nie wieder mehr spielen will. Tatsächlich gab das Leader Swap-Feature, meines Erachtens, den Ausschlag dafür, dass dieses Spiel - selbst nach Jahrzehnten - als ein zeitloser Klassiker gelten wird.
Dieses Spiel gebe ich eine Bewertung von 4 von 5 Sternen. Doch hätte man das Spiel schon längst durch die von mir vorgeschlagenen, potenzielle DLCs quasi aktualisiert, dann hätte es sogar von mir eine 5-von-5-Sterne-Bewertung bekommen. Aber natürlich kann das, was (noch) nicht ist, ja noch werden.
Und nun würde mich interessieren, was ihr von diesem Spiel haltet (falls ihr es gespielt habt): Wollt ihr es auch seitdem die Vorgängerspiele nie wieder mehr spielen? Und wünscht ihr euch ebenfalls, dass es - mittels weiterer DLCs und Patches - "aktualisiert" wird? Hättet ihr noch weitere Vorschläge für potenzielle DLC-Packs? Schreibt es ruhig gerne in die Kommentare.

PS: Hier eine Auswahl an Showcase-Videos, die ich auf YouTube gefunden habe, bezüglich Storm 4-Mods:
PSS: Hier gelangt ihr zu meinen anderen Naruto-Franchise bezogenen Artikeln
Hier gelangt ihr zu meinen anderen Artikeln aus der Rubrik "Review":
Eingestellt von um Keine Kommentare:

Dienstag, 16. November 2021

Culture Studies: What the school system in Japan is really like and why it's not that hard as portrayed in many documentaries

When you think on school in Japan, you immediately think about the school uniforms; that sport club teams are celebrated like real celebrities but you also think about the lots of pressure are put on the pupil.
But is the Japanese school system more like this or else, if there's something in what's said about the Japanese school system, especially how it's portrayed in certain documentaries about Japan?
This is what this article is about.
a typical Japanese class room in anime style
In the following, I'm gonna elaborate in this article:
  • What are major differences between the German school system and the Japanese school system as well as the respective educational path in general
  • What's the deal with the Japanese school uniforms
  • How the image of the "hard" school system in Japan being extraverted in certain documentaries came into being
  • and moreover, what was the original purpose of nowadays' Japanese school system and if and to which extent it could be archived meanwhile.
Without further ado, let's go:

The most important major differences between the Japanese school system and those of the most other countries (particularly Germany, many other European states and North America)
The way the Japanese school system is set up is - similar to the US-American system - the 6:3:3 system, i.e. six years of elementary school, three years of middle school and three years of high school. A succesive university degree course takes two, three or four years, depending on the subject you choose. This system had been established in Japan in the post-war era.
However, there's no equivalent to the A-levels/abitur/matura/baccalauréat etc. in Japan but instead, there're entrance exams whereby you archive the respective (secondary school or university) entrance qualifitation and - depending how well you've performed - you come into the correspondending secondary school or university.
Furthermore, the curriculum in Japan is uniform nationwide, not like Germany where the curriculum is different from federated state to federates state. The uniform curriculum is indeed convenient for those pupils who move to another town (let alone, to another prefecture) during their childhood or youth and consequently change school during their school career.
Unlike the most countries, there's no grade retention in Japan: All pupils are automatically promoted to the next grade.
A typical school corridor in Japan
Unlike the most countries, a new school year doesn't begin after the summer vacation but after the spring vacation (Japanese school vacations: two weeks New Years vacation, two-weeksspring vacation in March/April and six-weeks summer vacation in July/August). But the school vacations are entirely uniform in Japan and not like, for instance, in Germany where the vacation periods depends on the respective federated states and where are fall vacations in some federated states (e.g. in Northrhine-Westphalia) as well.
In Japan, a school year is parted in trimesters but in the universities, an academic year is parted in semesters.
A school day goes from 8:30h to 15:30h (including recesses, lunch breaks and extracurriculars). Here in Germany, a school day goes from most likely 8:10h to 13:30/14:25h (but only two recesses, as there most likely ain't lunch breaks in German schools by default) and everything which takes place after this is being considered as afternoon classes not being necessarily, for instance, project groups or extracurriculars.
From Digimon Adventure 02, Episode 8 where the respective
school soccer clubs from Ken (left) and Daisuke (right) plays
against each other. So, references to sport clubs in Japan are
not only in sport animes but also in many other animes
Additionally, as distrinct to Germany, there're many private education institutions who offer their services from the kindergarten to the high school: These are so called tutoring schools not being to be confused with the tutoring institutions here in Germany.

Are the Japanese school uniforms really that cool as portrayed in the Japanese popular culture?
This male uniform type is
called in Japanese
gakuran (学ラン)
From the 7th grade, it's mandatory wearing school uniforms (in Japanese: 制服, seifuku), regardless if it's a public school or private school. But after graduating from high school, it's not mandatory anymore wearing said uniform, so from this point, it's considered being a cosplay when you're wearing it. 
Having said this, the male school uniforms have been introduced in Japan already in the Meiji period (1868-1912) wherefore the Prussian school uniforms were mostly the templates back then (seeing the Mob Psycho 100 pic on the right). But there's also the suit-and-tie uniform-type for men, like in e.g. Detektive Conan.
The female school uniform being based on the British sailor uniform had been firstly used in the Taishō period (1912-1926). To be exact, it has been introduced in the year 1921. Therefore, this uniform is called sailor fuku (セーラー服 , literal meaning: sailor outfit). But in the 1980s, the female blazer-type uniform which also contains the mini skirt had been introduced in Japan as well.

For instance, Shin'ichi from 
Detective Conan has brown hairs
and no one of the school authorities
ordered him to turn the hairs black 
(neither on-screen or off-screen)
But at any rate, the nowadays' main issue is the rule in many schools in Japan that the pupils who ain't no black hairs by nature are OBLIGED to color their hair black. Thus, it doesn't go the same like it's portrayed in animes where no one in the schools care if someone's hairs are blonde, orange-colored, red, purple etc.
But in real life, it's an entirely different story.

Added to this, concerning the female pupils, even in the deep of winter when are cold temperatures of -10°C (equaling 14°F), they still have to wear the mini skirts and ain't allowed to combine them with tights. Indeed, meanwhile, there're more and more schools allowing the girls combining their school uniform with tights but up to this day, it's still an exception.

How hard is the Japanese school system really or rather, is it really that hard as portrayed in certain documentaries?
To come right to the point: Contrary to the way it's portrayed in certain documentaries, the exorbital stress ain't put by the teachers (even though expections confirm the rule) but rather by the pupils themselves as well as by their parents.
One of the reasons the Japanese school system is often regarded as quite hard is as follows:
Japan is a garureki shakai (学歴社会、literal meaning: educational background society), d.h. the social position of a citizen is pit against the past educational and academic career.
As already mentioned, in all stages of the educational carrer are so called entrance exams and only when you've good results, you can go to a highly esteemed secondary school or else highly esteemed university/college, respectively. With that said, the reputation (or else the name) of the secondary school or university college, respectively, is regarded as important because it's decisive for the social measurement: The higher the university's prestige, for instance, where you've graduated from, the higher your carrier opportunities are during your career path afterwards.

Shuntarō Furukawa
(古川俊太郎)
born 1972
For instance, in regard of the in the economic area and media area, alumni having graduated from the Waseda University (早稲田大学) as well as those having graduated from the Keiō-Universität (慶應義塾大学) - which are both private universties, notabene - have the best chances snatching a position in one of these areas. One of the most famous alumni who graduated from the Waseda is Shuntarō Furukawa who is the sixth and current president from the company Nintendo.
Concerning positions in administrative bodies, alumni from the University of Tokyo (東京大学), also called shortly Tōdai (東大) as well as those from the Kyoto University (京都大学), also called shortly Kyōdai (京大) - which are both public universities - have relatively good chances snatching one of said positions.

Many companies go so far, they only watch for WHERE the alumnus had studied and not if he can bring an indispensable value to the company in one way or another.
In other words, contrary to Germany and many other countries where it doesn't matter in which university you've studied, the career opportunities after graduation are propotional to the reputation of the university where you've studied - even though the sky's the limit in Japan as well concerning the career path. But beyond, the way the universties and colleges in Japan are set up to the extent that you'RE ABLE to graduate within the standard period of study and you get the Bachelor degree practically for free. It's ONLY HARD to pass the ETRANCE EXAM in order to GET INTO a (good) university but when you passed them succesfully, it's relatively relaxed to accomplish your studies there. In regard of this context, tn the video Day in the life of a Typical Japanese University Student from the YouTube-channel Paolo from Tokyo, it's shown what's really like. It's linked in the PS.

Which underlying idea of the nowadays school system or else education system in Japan was actually there in the first place and could said system live up to this expectation?
Concerning the nowadays' Japanese school system's consitution, the homogenization of the curriculum vitae as well as the nationwidely equal knowledge level were the aim. The underlying idea was the securing of equal opportunities. Therefore, uniform examination systems, e.g. multiple choice, are utilized up to this day.
A stock photo showing a multiple choice test
Moreover, as already mentioned, there's no grade retention in Japan cuz on the one hand, you ain't meant to be seperated from peers and on the other hand, the network building should be facilitated as well.
But unfortunately, the goal of the equal opportunities could be archieved only to a limited extent cuz education is very expensive when it come to the additional tutoring schools. Only rich families can easily afford tutoring school, so families not being that moneyed have only two options: Forbearing the tutoring or taking out a loan (which leads often to high debts) in order to afford the tutoring for their children. The thing is: Not the teaching subject from the regular schools but those from the tutoring schools are decisive for passing the high school and later on university entrance exams afterwards. Hence, the expected equal opportunites ain't de facto given.

Additionally, the school instructions don't go beyond the mere knowledge reproduction, i.e. the pupils only commit to memory and don't learn, for instance, how to debate or how to transfer these and those methods or knowledge on other comparable situations. Likewise, due to the absence of project works and presentation practises in the school, they learn SOONEST in the university how to do project works and how to give good presenations.
Even the English class in the Japanese school is too reproductive and the quality of the same leave  literally a lot to be desired. Apropos, this explains why many Japanese people aren't really good in speaking Englisch. Therefore, don't be surprised you'd gonna meet only a few Japanese people being able to speak English, if you're in Japan and if you can't speak Japanese.

Furthermore, the huge stress the pupils are having causes various issues, so the suicide rate among Japanese pupils are comparatively high even though the pressure ain't put by the teachers but by the pupils themselves as well as their parents. It originates from the fact that the social position of a citizen is pit against the past educational and academic career.
Jō Kido (城戸 丈)
as 12-years old,
as 15-yers old,
as 18 years old and
as 23 years old
Some of the kids and teenagers put themselves under pressure to the extent that they neglect their friends and don't play with them (but it should be noted that they don't reflect the representative sample of all Japanese pupils).
You can  imagine it kinda like, e.g. the DigiDestined Jō Kido from the Digimon Adventure series who also went to a summer school by his own choice while other enjoyed their summer vacation or else wanted enjoy them. In the movie Digimon Adventure tri. - Chapter 2: Determination, he went as far as to neglecting his own Digimon partner Gomamon but he recognized his fault soon enough. Anyways, Jō manages to become a doctor afterwards. But this is a different story.

Additionally, there're increasing issues concerning violence at schools and school refusal too. But elaborating them as well would only go beyond this article's constraints.

Conclusion: All in all, the question if the Japanese school system is really that hard can be answered with "yes AND no". To sum up, the pressure on the pupils are pu but by the pupils themselves and by the parents but never by the teachers. Furthermore, not least because of the divide between rich and poor, the goal of the the chance equality in the occupational life afterwards could be archived only to a limited extent and the pupils only commit the subject matters to memory, so the don't learn knowledge transfering (i.e. applying of what you've learned when it comes to other similar situations), argumentation, analysis etc. 
Screenshots from the
Digimon Adventure tri. series
showing Jō (and Gomamon)
While no one from the rest of the world cares FROM WHICH you've graduated from, the people in Japan consider it as very important FROM WHICH university you've come from when it comes to the transition to the vocational work after graduation - since Japan is a gakureki shakai, as already mentioned.
And concerning school uniforms in Japan, no matter how you slice it: It's very ridiculous that it's MANDATORY for pupils to additionally color the hairs black as a pupil (if they ain't black-haired by nature). Let's face it: Either you have black hairs by nature or you haven't. Full stop.
But either way, don't be confused by certain Japan-related documentaries whose way of presentations reflects a black-and-white thinking and which upset the applecart. The pupils being under great pressure and being shown in said documentaries haven't any representativeness for the average Japanese pupil.

And now, I ask you: Whaddaya think about the Japanese school system? Do you wish you was Japan-educated? Which school system from which country do you like most? Feel free to write it in the comments.

PS: Here's that video showing what the everyday's life of a typical Japanese university student is really like:
And as a bonus, here's another sufficent video from the US-American female YouTuber Sonnie Travels who works as an English teacher in Japan and characterized the Japanese school system in said video:
And for those amongst you who can also speak German, here are two videos from the German YouTuber NihonGo where he explains to which extent the Japanese pupil's everyday's life ain't that hard as portrayed in certain documentaries and and why a graduation from a (good) university is regarded as very important in Japan:
PPS: Here you can go to my other articles from the "Culture Studies"-rubric:



Eingestellt von um Keine Kommentare:
Abonnieren Posts (Atom)