Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO marks a complete return after 17 years as a new installment in the 3D fighting action game series.
While sequels like Dragon Ball Raging Blast were released during the PS3 era, this new title revitalizes one of the most popular versions of the original series with the latest technology.
Dragon Ball-related games have been released in various forms, both past and present, and have also enjoyed significant popularity in overseas markets.
Thanks to this popularity, the quality of these games has continually improved.
However, Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO is acclaimed as a game that delivers authentic Dragon Ball action and showcases a level of polish that meets fan expectations.
The resurrection after 17 years is an emotional return for series fans.
That said, the game is known for its extremely high difficulty level.
It has been described as challenging enough to be referred to as Saiyans, requiring players to rise to the challenge of its high difficulty.
This enables players to enjoy the intense combat unique to the Dragon Ball series.
While this aspect makes the game more intriguing, it can also pose a barrier to entry for newcomers.
This difficulty setting symbolically reflects the challenge spirit inherent in the Dragon Ball franchise.
An Overwhelming Cast of Characters: 182 Playable Fighters
Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO captivates fans with its extensive roster of 182 playable characters.
From young Goku in the Dragon Ball saga to the main figures from Z, GT, the Super series, and the movie villains, this game features a rich variety of characters all in one place.
Notably, the intricate animations, such as Janemba’s block-shaped splitting technique, leave a lasting impression on fans.
The roster includes formidable characters from the Super series like Jiren, Zamasu, and Hit, as well as lesser-known characters from Universe 6, like Cabba, and even Ribrianne and Kakunsa, generating great anticipation.
However, the absence of certain characters, such as Katopesla from Universe 3 or Paikuhan, may leave some fans feeling disappointed.
Nonetheless, the game is filled with a vibrant array of characters, each showcasing their unique charms on a grand stage.
The character count includes all of Goku’s transformations over the ages, and character costumes are elaborately detailed.
Characters sport both Z and Super battle suits, and for example, Videl can be chosen with two different hairstyles, while Master Roshi can also transform into Jackie Chan’s persona.
These details enable players to enjoy the diverse aspects of each character.
One of the greatest joys for Dragon Ball fans is experimenting with various combinations and strategies from this extensive selection of characters.
While it is a new installment, it follows the tradition of the series by including more characters than its predecessors.
Additional characters are also expected to be added through future DLCs, providing ongoing excitement for Dragon Ball enthusiasts.
Notably, the game has experienced explosive popularity, selling over 3 million copies within 24 hours of release, firmly establishing itself as a successful new title.
This achievement highlights the tremendous fanbase of the Dragon Ball IP and demonstrates the high quality of the game’s production.
The Essence of Dragon Ball’s 3D Battles
Sparking ZERO is a 3D action battle game that excellently recreates the core combat style of the Dragon Ball anime.
Players can enjoy free combat as they navigate a 360-degree field. Each character utilizes a combination of melee attacks, energy blasts (Kamehameha), unique skills, and finishing moves that consume their energy gauge.
Notably, the system of holding down buttons to charge up the gauge carries on the traditional gameplay mechanics established since Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2.
Players can soar through the skies and swiftly charge at enemies, using energy blasts to keep opponents at bay while strategically approaching them, perfectly capturing the unique speed and strategic elements of Dragon Ball.
The moments where characters suddenly vanish and strike from behind are the highlights of thrilling action that add to the intensity.
This combination of new tactics and counterattacks consistently provides players with high tension.
Each character has access to various techniques like Solar Flare, Afterimage Technique, and Instant Transmission, and there’s also the ability to fuse or transform by consuming an energy gauge.
Especially for Saiyan characters, the ability to transform progressively during battles allows for strategic planning around these transformations.
The game’s speed maintains the original pace, designed to focus on pure action without being bogged down by complex animations.
As a result, the refreshing and tense nature of combat blends harmoniously, allowing players to feel the true essence of Dragon Ball simply by controlling their characters.
Given its faithful representation of the animated combat movements, Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO boasts an exceptionally high level of quality.
However, the controls can be somewhat intricate.
Players must often press both sticks and buttons simultaneously, requiring precise timing in various situations.
Different dodge and counter techniques necessitate distinct timings and control methods, so it takes time and effort to fully grasp these mechanics.
To adequately learn the combat system, it’s advisable to begin with Piccolo’s training tutorial at the start of the game.
This tutorial takes about 30 minutes to an hour and provides an opportunity to understand the system in depth, enhancing overall immersion in the game.
The Best Graphics
The graphics in Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO are undeniably top-notch.
The combination of fast-paced game speed and dazzling effects provides a visually satisfying experience.
Despite the numerous characters featured in the game, each character’s expressions and motions are remarkably detailed, eliciting awe every time a character uses their techniques.
Playing the game feels like continuously enjoying iconic scenes.
In particular, movements such as Vegeta kicking Cell or the portrayal of Broly’s techniques evoke a deep sense of familiarity for fans.
Goku’s Turtle School Wave finishing move is emotionally impactful, and the abilities of minor characters like Janemba and Tapion also boast a high level of execution.
The graphics excel not only in human characters but also in the texture and expression of creature characters.
Notably, the texture and expression balance of Cell represents the highest quality in the history of Dragon Ball games, captivating anime fans with its detail.
Additionally, the special finishing moves make each battle more dramatic.
For instance, the cinematic portrayal of the Wave of Rage leaves a strong impression on players.
These animations offer various strategic fun depending on the unique situations created by specific character combinations.
With a plethora of characters available, enjoying the various combinations and duels is one of the game’s greatest pleasures.
Thanks to the numerous special animations and interactions between characters, players can engage in battles with their distinctive styles.
These diverse combinations keep the game exciting and fresh, embodying the essence of what it means to play a Dragon Ball character game.
Various modes: Recreating the Original and Diverse IF Episodes
Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO offers a variety of modes that allow players to explore the world of Dragon Ball.
The main menu features a gathering place for the characters, where players can easily navigate to locations like the World Martial Arts Tournament arena or Mr. Satan’s house.
This setup immerses players in the Dragon Ball universe from the moment they start the game.
However, some may find the cursor movement to feel a bit sluggish.
The game includes various competitive modes, such as online battles and team matches, but the primary content is the Episode Battle mode.
In this mode, players follow the original storyline through the perspectives of characters like Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Trunks, Frieza, Goku Black, and Jiren.
The story progresses based on each character’s viewpoint, branching into original IF routes when certain conditions are met.
“Episode Battle” covers significant events from Z, starting with Raditz’s invasion and spanning to the Tournament of Power in Super.
These key moments are quickly narrated in a digest format, showcasing the various exploits of major characters.
Vegeta’s emotional expressions come across more realistically, recreating beloved scenes that fans have cherished for years.
For those wanting to create new and unique battles with diverse characters, the Custom Battle mode is particularly appealing.
In this mode, players can combine different characters and animations to design their own fights, which can then be shared online.
The Extra Battle option within Custom Battle allows for dozens of battles to be experienced further enhancing the fun of battle design.
In Episode Battle, there is an IF route featuring Frieza, where Goku and Vegeta team up against Frieza’s forces, creating various outcomes.
Additionally in the Android Arc Goku continues to fight after overcoming his heart disease, providing interesting developments not seen in the original storyline.
These IF routes offer a new Dragon Ball experience that goes beyond a simple remake.
On the other hand, the Goku Black arc may lose some excitement due to repetitive story progression and limited character choices.
The reduction in route diversity and comedic elements is disappointing, but there is hope for more DLC content to be added in the future.
The variety of episodes and custom battles provides Dragon Ball fans with a wide range of enjoyment and the fun of crafting their own stories.
The Challenging Difficulty of Episode Battle
The Episode Battle mode in Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO offers a deep combat experience for fans of the series, but its difficulty can present a significant challenge for new players.
This mode is often regarded as the game’s biggest hurdle. The underlying systems are complex, and the CPU demonstrates highly skilled combat abilities right from the start.
Advanced maneuvers, such as countering counters, are crucial aspects that cannot be easily overlooked.
Players may quickly become frustrated if they do not grasp the system early on.
To understand the mechanics, new players are encouraged to start with the tutorial featuring Piccolo, which allows them to learn gradually.
Although an assist mode and difficulty adjustment options are available, the game does not feel significantly easier even when assist mode is activated, and lowering the difficulty often locks players out of specific IF routes, limiting potential benefits.
The only way to lower the difficulty while being able to access these routes is through the Dragon Orb which functions as a rescue item.
However, this item can only be obtained through wish-making to Shenron, and its drop rate is low.
Moreover, the lack of clear information regarding this item means that many players may not even be aware of its existence.
These aspects can lead to disappointment in light of the game’s already tense difficulty.
The requirement to defeat the enemy quickly as a branching condition lacks clarity, which can confuse players.
However, as players gradually become familiar with the game, they can leverage the power of the Sparking mode to defeat enemies more easily.
This mode allows players to utilize powerful character skills to quickly reduce the health of opponents.
Overall, the difficulty of Episode Battle and the complexity of the existing systems can make “Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO” quite challenging for new players.
Nonetheless, by learning various tactical approaches within the game field, players can enjoy the game by effectively using the strengths of Sparking mode and the diversity of character skills.
Additionally, there is hope that future DLC and additional content will help address the game’s more difficult aspects, providing a richer gameplay experience.
Perfection as a Character Game
Sparking ZERO allows players to fully appreciate the massive potential of the Dragon Ball IP after completing the Episode Battle mode in over 25 hours of gameplay.
The game boasts an extensive roster of characters supported by exceptional content creation, showcasing a level of polish that is difficult for other character games or series to emulate.
Despite being a long-awaited return for the series, it is considered a tremendous success.
For Dragon Ball fans, this title is essential.
While the game’s difficulty and certain rescue measures may not suit all players, there is potential for improvements through updates.
If these enhancements are made, more people will have the opportunity to enjoy the world of Dragon Ball.
Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO is a must-experience for any Dragon Ball fan, offering invaluable value in its gameplay and experience.
Overall Review
Dragon Ball Sparking ZERO is a remarkable title that showcases the essence of Dragon Ball through its extensive character roster and impeccable graphics.
The game’s pace faithfully reflects the original series, while the techniques and story developments of each character are more than satisfying for fans.
However, the high difficulty level and complex control system may pose a barrier to entry for beginners. If improvements and updates are made in these areas, the game could attract an even larger fan base.
For Dragon Ball enthusiasts, it is a high-quality game that is worth the time and effort spent.
*The image is sourced from the Windblown website (https://dbsz.bn-ent.net/)
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