Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 by developer Dimp is a stylized 3D fighting RPG that sees the player in the role of a custom-made fighter who must participate in some of Dragon Balls most crucial (and memorable) battles from the series, while repairing time anomalies to set the stories of the Z- Fighters on the right path.
The game itself is centered around Conton City, which is seven times larger than Toki Toki City from the previous game. Like its predecessor, the city is laden with a variety of mission NPCs and vendors. For example: Patroller Academy is where the player can learn the basics of combat by participating in Elder Kai’s ‘Challenge Quests’.
During these training exercises, the player is instructed by other fighters that offer assistance on how to use various techniques. The player can increase their character’s Training Level by completing quests and participating in training. Once enough progress has been made, the Advancement Test Quests will become available. Clearing these tests will result in the player’s character changing its class.
A variety of tests are also available via the ‘Challenge Quest’ menu. These tests all range in difficulty (i.e. easy to advance), and they teach everything from blocking to executing advanced combo strings. Each test has a condition that must be met.
The player can select from Parallel Quests (PQs) (also known as ‘Offline Quests’) from the Reception Area’s NPC. Up to three characters (including the player) can participate in a Parallel Quest. When playing offline, there is an option to select other warriors to join as support. Some Parallel Quests can come directly from warriors (i.e. NPCs) found inside Conton City.
During Parallel Quests, the player can use devices called ‘Gates’ to transport to different areas. Some gates will remain closed until the right conditions are met. These gates can be entered by locking on to them and then pressing B button. Gates are usually the quickest way to get through a quest area.
Satisfying certain requirements during a Parallel Quest will cause a change in the Time Shard. A “Warning” sign will appear and a powerful enemy (i.e. boss) will emerge to challenge the player. Defeating this character will garner better rewards. The game doesn’t punish the player if they lose, though. Losing against this character is not counted as a failure for the Parallel Quest.
Vendors also play an important role in Xenoverse 2. The Mixing Shop vendor is the game’s crafting system that uses materials known as Z-Souls to create more powerful Z-Soul items. The Mixing Shop recipe menu explains which items are needed for crafting. The system is easy to use, and self-explanatory.
The Skill Shop is where the player can purchase skills to enhance their character. Using the game’s equivalent of currency (i.e. Zeni), the player can purchase a variety of skills to enhance their character’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Some skills are melee-based (i.e. Sledgehammer, Sonic kick, etc.), while others are performance-based (i.e. Giga Boost, Backlip, etc.). The player can also use TP Medals ( a new, secondary currency) to purchase items and skills in-game. Simply put – the player must complete Time Patrol missions to earn these medals. Easier missions reward at least one medal, while Expert Patrols will reward more than one.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 has a rock-solid fighting engine. During fights, the player can dart through the air and perform a variety of combos by repeatedly pressing X button. It is also possible to end a combo with a fierce attack; this is accomplished by pressing Y Button. The combat system also provides a ‘targeting’ system that can be activated by pressing the Right Shoulder button. When the player locks on to an enemy with the targeting system, the in-game camera system will follow both the player and NPC enemy as they move from one location to the other.
The player can also press left on the Directional Pad to ‘search’ for enemies that are far away and hiding behind obstacles. The player can also see the enemy’s power level. Locking on to an enemy by pressing RB will reveal more detailed information about it.
When standard attacks are not enough, the player can execute ‘Special Attacks’ by pressing the RT button, and then pressing the corresponding attack button associated with the attack (i.e. Meteor Blow, Super Guard, etc.). These ‘Special Moves’ can only be used when the KI meter is full.
Graphically, Xenoverse 2 is a beautiful game that faithfully reproduces the Dragon Ball Anime. Gohan, Piccolo and the other fighters look as good as they always have, and the backgrounds – as one might expect – contain lush, vibrant colors that happen to stand out during gameplay. It truly brings the Dragon Ball universe to life.
As a game, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a fun beat ’em up that caters to both veterans and newcomers alike. Fans of the comics and television series will appreciate the fan service that Bandai-Namco included throughout the game, while newcomers will enjoy the intense, fist cuff action and RPG elements. It’s a win, win no matter how you perceive it.
And yes, fingers are crossed for a Nintendo Switch version.
Mike Pittaro
Platform: Playstation 4
Developer: Dimp
Publisher: Bandai-Namco
ESRB: T (Teen)
Price: $59.99
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Official Website:
https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/dragon-ball-xenoverse-2
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |  |
| Xenoverse 2's graphics faithfully reproduce the Dragon Ball Anime. | |
| Sound | |
| A great soundtrack and quality voice acting. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Intense combat and fun story-based missions. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a fun beat 'em up that caters to gamers of all skill levels. | |
