'Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4' release date: bigger lineup and a special Jutsu for upcoming game

Bandai Games Europe

Gamers have watched the "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja" franchise develop into a rock-hard action game series, with title after title getting supreme graphical upgrade and gameplay maturity. Game studio CyberConnect2 has been at the forefront ever since the franchise's inauguration in 2003, when "Naruto: Ultimate Ninja" was introduced to the gaming empire. 

Now, the developer is on to the last entry of the decade-old series. Titled "Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4," it will be the first of its lineup to make it to the Xbox One and PS4, and it will be the last of the established action-packed game the "Naruto" gaming community will ever see. That puts CyberConnect2 into a lot of pressure of giving the adventures of Naruto a glorious, well-deserved yarn. 

But it's not like this aspect would worry fans. CyberConnect2 has been at it for years so "Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4" should come out pristine and gorgeous. The game studio has posted a job posting inviting talented animators out there to a "new challenge" that involves "large-scale development, open-world, RPG, simulation and the other side of super-anime expression." 

With CyberConnect2 recruiting the best in the field, "Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4" should be nothing less than a superb culmination to the long-standing escapades of the dearly-loved yellow-haired ninja. The title, exclusive to current-gen consoles, will have one-on-one multiplayer modes accessible online and offline. Its usual combat system remains intact so there is PvP and PvE all over the "Naruto" universe. 

The roster of characters in the title is said to outnumber that of its predecessor, which has 80 playable fighters and 7 supporting characters. Touted to get the most impressive lineup, "Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4" will feature the latest characters to ever grace the manga as well as select warriors from "The Last: Naruto The Movie." 

The game will also mark the emergence of a special Team Combination Jutsu and it is one that gamers will see for the first time. In terms of gameplay, the latest "Naruto Ultimate Ninja" iteration will allow players to scuttle through landscapes, mountain cliffs and skyscrapers. It will focus on the fourth Shinobi World War and is likely to follow the final battle against Madara. 

Bandai Namco Games is set to release "Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4" this year to the Xbox One, PS4 and PC.