Namco Bandai is far from done with the Naruto license. Naruto Shippuden Legends: Akatsuki Rising brings the Rescue Gaara Arc to the PSP this fall. Unlike the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja series this is not a fighting game. It’s an adventure game. Think of this as a successor to the Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles series.
During Naruto Shippuden Legends: Akatsuki Rising you control over ten ninjas and challenge villains like Deidara. Skill scrolls collected from side missions in scenario mode allow players to upgrade their character’s stats like attack, life, and defense. Screenshots reveal Naruto, Rock Lee, Kakashi, Sakura, and Gaara as some of the playable characters. Really, no surprise there. They also show the generic baddies you beat up. Hit them to fill up the Hyper Gauge which is the key to powering up and unlocking deadly jutsus.
Similar to Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2 you’re aided in battle by two partners which you can call on. A friend can also act as an ally in story mode or an opponent in versus mode via ad hoc play.
In addition to saving Gaara you also capture him. Akatsuki mode features an original story that covers the events of the Rescue Gaara Arc from the point of view of the bad guys.
