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This review written from the perspective of an addicted fan of the English dubbed cartoon series of Naruto. It is primarily targeted towards other fans of the series, because those are the people who are the most likely to be considering buying the game.

"Naruto: Rise of a Ninja" is a game that allows you experience the adventure of cartoon series of Naruto from the very first episode to the end of the Chunin exams.

The game delivers as close an experience to the cartoon series as you are going to get from any game. There are so many aspects of this game that are so well thought-out that even game mechanics (such as the use of jutsu) are true to the cartoon series.

Basically, if you are a fan of the cartoon series, then you will love this game. And here's why:

- the Story Mode of the game closely follows the actual story, allowing you to play out the events in the cartoon series from the perspective of Naruto Uzumaki;
- video cut-scenes use real footage from the cartoon series, mixed with 3D game graphics, making it feel like your involvement in the game is part of the actual story;
- the real English voice actors are used for in-game speech (mostly);
- the actual music from the cartoon series is used, adding to the atmosphere and excitement;
- you are able to explore the Village Hidden in the Leaves, visiting places like the Ichiraku Ramen Shop, the Hokage's building, the training grounds, the main gates to the village, etc;
- in order to perform jutsu, you need to do hand signs using the left and right analog sticks of the Xbox controller. You also need to charge-up and use the right amount of chakra, as too much or too little will cause you to fail the jutsu (just like in the cartoon series!);
- you get to perform jutsu like the Shadow Clone Jutsu, Sexy Jutsu, etc;
- you do actual training, like learning chakra control by focusing the chakra at your feet and running up a tree;
- you meet, and get to fight, characters from the cartoon series like Mizuki, Sakura, Sasuke, Kakashi, Zabuza, Haku... omg the list goes on;
- you can enter Rage Mode, calling on the chakra of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Above everything else, this is a role-playing game with a fighting game element to it. Not the other way around. If you approach the game in this way, you will love it to bits (like I obviously do).