Although the next game in the "Naruto" franchise has yet to come out with a specific release date, a late 2016 roll out is already confirmed as a new gameplay footage surfaces online.
Saiyan Island reports that publisher Bandai Namco has already published the first-ever gameplay footage for "Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing" game. Different from the previous "Ultimate Ninja Storm" series of games, the upcoming title is a free-to-play game for iOS and Android devices. In the gameplay presentation, developer GREE showcased how the new game is not a straight-up fighting title. Instead, players will follow story-based missions and will move their characters in given areas by screen taps. Instead of the previous cut-scene transitions, characters can immediately attack other enemies once they enter the blue area around the characters. True to the "Naruto" franchise, the range of attacks for the characters includes taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu, including the ultimate jutsus from the "Ultimate Ninja Storm" series.
The gameplay also highlights cooperative play between users. In "Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing," up to three players can team up and do a combination battle against another team, much like how it is setup in the "Naruto" adaptations.
"Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing" is set to be released in Japan later this year. Bandai Namco has yet to confirm if the new game will release as a global launch or a Japan exclusive. However, given that the "Naruto" franchise has a global audience, a worldwide release is already expected. In addition, it is said that Bandai Namco Europe has already filed a trademark application for the "Ultimate Ninja Blazing" tag earlier this year.
Meanwhile, though it is a free-to-play game, "Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Blazing" is said to have microtransactions, where players need to purchase items in order to unlock characters and special moves.
