Punish your opponent with Thousand Years of Death

This Naruto-themed 2-player dueling game puts a new spin on the classic Rock, Paper, Scissors - but in a way many Westerners may be uncomfortable with appreciating. Combining RPS with the Japanese childrens' gag of kancho, Thousand Years of Death is little more than a brief, but appreciable distraction for fans of the ninja-themed Naruto anime or manga (Japanese animation or comic books, respectively).

Thousand Years of Death seems to be well aware of its primary appeal, as its greatest strengths lie in elements borrowed directly from the show. Colorful 'chibi' style artwork with huge, Disney-esque eyes and rounded faces gives the gameplay a high element of visual appeal. The roster of selectable characters, while limited, adequately represents the variety of the cast of the franchise. Similarly, the limited sound is almost entirely dominated by the looping background music, one of the more attractive and memorable themes borrowed from the show's actual OST. Naruto fans are likely to find themselves instantly sucked in by these elements alone, while others will wander off, confused.

Unfortunately, Thousand Years of Death also is deliberately shallow and provides only enough gameplay for bite-sized sessions. The basic Rock, Paper, Scissors duel is followed by two simple quick time events, one to respond to the result of the duel, and another to actually indulge in the (thankfully non-graphic) act of kancho. There is little to no long term reward ladder, nor do the bare bones elements of the dueling system ever get burdened or enhanced with additional features. Input timing also remains oddly murky and obtuse, which is unforgivable for a game based on strict timing and counters. The cost of a loss, and by the same terms, the reward of a victory, all boil down to being treated with some basic animations before you get to jump back in to the game.

While there's a lot to be said for the effectiveness of Thousand Years of Death's presentation, as well as its very apt targeting of a specific market with appropriate themes, the actual game appears to have not much work put into it. If, as its versus mode seems to imply, it wanted to compete as a parody of fighting games, it would require a much larger roster, at a minimum. However, for what it is, would-be Naruto ninjas are sure to get at least a grin or two out of what amounts to an extended, well-presented gag dressed in arcade format.