Pros:
+One of the best looking fighting games on the market
+Excevoice-overs overs that are performed by the anime actors themselves
+An exciting and original story to enjoy
+Classic Arcade Fighting has made a triumphant return
+Variety of Modes
Cons:
–Connectivity Issues
When it comes to arcade style fighters Dragon Ball game’s probably wouldn’t come to mind. This isn’t surprising since they haven’t been that way since the original Dragon Ball Budokai series that released on PS2. However, thanks to those at Arc System Works, those behind both the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue franchises, that isn’t the case anymore.
The newest addition to Dragon Ball line-up has been taken back to its roots with Dragon Ball FighterZ. This latest entry is a classic take on what the fighting franchise has become. Along with a push to bring the series back to its roots, Arc System works has hammered out some of the best-looking graphics that are brought to life through a wide variety of modes for players to choose from, which make this a great choice to have for those that enjoy classic arcade fighters.
Dragon Ball games are usually some of the best looking titles on the market, but Dragon Ball FighterZ is a step above those previous titles. It’s a title that makes you feel like you’re in control of every single character from the very series they are from. Arc System Works did an outstanding job of capturing the look and feel of the Dragon Ball franchise as a whole.
Credits: Bandai Namco
Whether it’s entering combat or kicking your opponent into the sky or even the next area, its just done so beautifully designed. Just like the anime, every basic attack in combat is rather fluid and brings a brilliant flash and they become a visual spectacle that makes even these simplest of attacks a gratifying experience to have.
Even with different but simplified inputs for specials and ultimate’s for characters, it allows for the game to have simple and rather intuitively designed control schemes for both newcomers and veterans alike. The easy-going inputs being linked with the stunning visuals of DBFZ and a full voice-over for the cast of characters makes it a truly mesmerizing experience.
Unlike most other Dragon Ball game’s and just rehashing the story’s we already know and love; DBFZ introduces its own original story. While going through the story you face off against “clones” of already playable characters in the game. Facing different opponents or skipping them is up to the player due to how maps are designed. With a story that is split into three separate arcs and having such compelling villains like that of Android 21, mixed in with some great cutscenes, Dragon Ball FighterZ’s story is a wonderful experience to enjoy. Having such a good story to experience it is great, but there’s even more that you can choose to do.
If you decide you want to face off against some of the games AI opponents you can choose to do so in the game’s classic arcade mode. However, in Dragonball Fighter Z there is a bit of a uniqueness to it. Additionally, there are three tiers you can end up fighting through. You start off at the base of the grid and have your battles spread across it in various different tiers. After which, there will be one of three tiers you proceed with, either high, middle, and low grade.
What tier you end up with is based on how well you did in the battle you’ve previously completed. The only real difference is team makeups that players will be assigned and the difficulty in which the team you face will have. The biggest downside to this is that sometimes the difficulty from battle to battle can be a drastic one. So staying on the high path can be extremely challenging but provides you with a great goal to strive for.
If you decide you’d rather challenge an actual person there are a couple options for you to choose from. There are standard online matches ranging from world and ranked matches. Along with these available modes, there is also local and ring matches. Local matches are just what they sound like, these matches allow you to play locally with your friends on the same device like old school fighting games on classic consoles.
Dragon Ball FighterZ – PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 4, and Xbox One
Developer: Arc System Works
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Release Date: Available Now
Ring matches are where you set up a specific set of rules after which you can invite or have random people join your lobby. Even with these separate ways to play online with others, this is where DBFZ is hit with its biggest flaw: Connectivity issues. Whether it’s a random match, playing with friends or even just sitting in the wonderfully designed chibi lobby there can be severe lag or just plain connection loss. When this happens you have to wait for the server to try and reconnect and then have to choose your connection zone. Once you get back in it can just be to have it happen again a few minutes later.
Dragon Ball Fighter Z is a wonderful gateway into the fighting genre. Doesn’t matter if your a beginner or a veteran to one such style of game, like the Dragon Ball franchise as a whole this game has plenty for all to enjoy. Arc System Works has done an outstanding job of giving us an arcade fighter that is inviting and perfect to play for everyone out there.
Our review is based on a retail version provided to us by the publisher of the game. For information about our ethics policy please click here.
Final Score: 9 out of 10
About the Writer:
Chris Adee is one of B.A.T.G.R.’s newest writers who seems to love three things. Sleep, games, and MOBA’s when he’s not goofing around on Warframe and SMITE. He also likes games. A lot. Oh and anime. Did we mention anime?