I mean, what you described is the textbook definition of a fighting game...
I think what you're issue is, is that there really hasn't been a Naruto RPG yet. Only fighting games—which makes sense, given the source material. I have virtually no issues with the Storm games (as those are the games Im assuming you're indirectly referencing), as a matter of fact Storm 3 is in my top 3 favorite Naruto games of all time. I never cared for the idea of a Naruto open world/RPG game, though thats likely because there hasn't ever been one so I don't know how that would realistically play. For me the highlight of any Naruto game is reliving the story by playing through it. I never got to play Storm 1 when it came out because I was a 360 gamer, but when Storm 2 came out I was in f*cking paradise, and Storm 3 only improved on the mechanics and the storytelling (though I am still salty about the ending of Storm 3). Storm 4 had potential, but they dropped the ball on the story mode big time by using lazy as shit anime stills for the cutscenes. I completely understand though if people don't like the combat in the Storm games; the combat clearly wasn't the focus. But for the most part they had solid story modes, which again is all I care(d) about.
If you are looking for a good combat system in a Naruto game though, I highly recommend Broken Bonds. Its a 360 title, so you may not have the hardware, but its probably my #1 favorite Naruto game at the moment, as its about the closest thing to an open world RPG we have currently. I don't exactly recall there being much in customization but the fighting mechanics are top notch/intricate and it is indeed something of an open world environment. I sincerely hope that after CC2 finished up their last Naruto titles, that Ubisoft can take the property back and continue what they started with Rise of a Ninja and Broken Bonds.
