General Information
The game boasts a massive character roster, intricate combat mechanics, and a variety of gameplay modes. From story-driven campaigns to online multiplayer battles, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero aims to cater to both casual players and hardcore enthusiasts. This review will explore the game's key features, gameplay depth, and overall value to help you decide if it deserves a spot in your collection.
Gameplay Mechanics and Combat System
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero brings an intense and fast-paced combat system that stays true to the series' iconic battles. The game features a complex set of mechanics that players need to master to excel in fights.
Fast-paced ki battles and teleport moves
The combat in Sparking! Zero is characterized by lightning-fast exchanges of ki blasts and teleport-based attacks. Players can engage in long-range beam attacks that consume the Ki Gage, adding a strategic element to resource management during battles. The game also introduces a variety of movement options, including short dashes for quick evasion and longer Dragon Dashes for covering significant distances.One of the standout features is the Vanishing Assault, which allows players to teleport behind their opponents or close the distance quickly. This move costs a full bar of the Ki meter but can be a game-changer when used effectively. The combat system encourages players to mix up their approach, keeping their opponents guessing and creating opportunities for devastating combos.
Skill points and resource management
Sparking! Zero introduces a skill points system that adds depth to the combat. As players deal damage and gain energy, they fill a meter that grants skill points. These points can be spent on character-specific abilities, such as Vegito's ki meter charge or Yajirobe's health-restoring Senzu Beans.Resource management becomes crucial as players must decide when to use their skill points for transformations or the new revenge counter system. This system allows players to counter-attack while in the middle of an opponent's combo, adding a layer of strategy to defensive play. The careful balance between offensive and defensive use of resources creates intense moments of decision-making during fights.
Challenging difficulty curve
While the combat system offers a wealth of options, it also presents a steep learning curve. The timing for executing techniques like teleporting defenses or directional rush combo enders can be demanding, especially for newcomers. Many players have reported spending considerable time alternating between regular fights and the training mode to grasp the intricacies of the combat system.The game's difficulty has been a topic of discussion among players, with some fights being described as particularly challenging. For example, battles against canonically stronger characters can feel oppressive, as the game makes no attempt to balance these power differences. This design choice stays true to the source material but can lead to frustrating experiences for less skilled players.
To help players improve, the game offers a comprehensive training mode featuring Ultimate Gohan. This mode is crucial for understanding the nuances of the combat system, including the importance of precise timing and input execution. Mastering techniques like the Super Counter, which costs no skill gage, can set apart average players from skilled ones.
Massive Character Roster and Customization
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero boasts an impressive lineup of fighters, offering players a vast array of characters to choose from. This extensive roster, combined with the game's customization options, provides a rich and diverse gameplay experience that caters to both casual fans and hardcore enthusiasts of the Dragon Ball franchise.
Over 180 playable fighters
The game features a staggering roster of 181 playable characters, making it one of the most comprehensive collections in any Dragon Ball game to date. This massive selection includes iconic heroes, villains, and supporting characters from various sagas and series within the Dragon Ball universe. From the early days of Dragon Ball Z to the latest adventures in Dragon Ball Super, players have access to an extensive range of fighters.The roster encompasses multiple versions of popular characters like Goku and Vegeta, representing their different forms and appearances throughout the series. For instance, players can choose from Goku variants such as his early, mid, and end Z versions, as well as his various Super Saiyan transformations. This attention to detail allows fans to relive their favorite moments from the anime and manga.
Character variations and transformations
One of the standout features of Sparking! Zero is its inclusion of character variations and transformations. Many fighters have multiple forms available, allowing players to experience the full range of a character's power and abilities. For example, Frieza can be played in his various forms, from his initial appearance to his final and most powerful state.Transformations play a significant role in the game, mirroring their importance in the source material. Players can trigger these power-ups during battles, dramatically altering a character's appearance, moveset, and stats. This feature adds a layer of strategy to fights, as players must decide when to transform to gain the upper hand.
The game also includes fusion characters like Gogeta and Vegito, representing the combined might of certain fighters. These powerful fused warriors offer unique playstyles and devastating techniques, providing even more variety to the already expansive roster.
Ability items and modifications
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero introduces a comprehensive customization system through ability items. These items allow players to modify and enhance their chosen fighters, tailoring them to specific playstyles or strategies. With over 90 different ability items available, the possibilities for character customization are vast.Ability items range from simple stat boosts to more complex effects that can significantly alter a character's performance in battle. For instance, players can equip items that increase attack power, reduce ki consumption, or even extend the duration of transformations. Some items offer trade-offs, such as increasing one stat while decreasing another, adding an extra layer of strategic depth to character builds.
The game allows players to equip up to seven different ability items on a single character, enabling the creation of highly specialized fighters. This system encourages experimentation and personalization, as players can mix and match items to create unique combinations that suit their preferred fighting style.
Story Mode and What-If Scenarios
Episode Battles retelling key moments
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero's story mode offers players a chance to relive iconic moments from the Dragon Ball universe through Episode Battles. These battles follow the main storyline of Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball Super, allowing fans to experience the most memorable fights and events. The game's story mode is divided into different character sagas, each focusing on a specific protagonist's journey.Players can choose from eight different episodes, each told from the perspective of a different character. This approach provides a fresh take on familiar stories, as players can see events unfold through the eyes of characters like Goku, Vegeta, Frieza, and Future Trunks. The length and content of each episode vary depending on the character's prominence in the series, ensuring a diverse and engaging experience.
Branching paths and alternate outcomes
One of the most exciting features of Sparking! Zero's story mode is the inclusion of branching paths and alternate outcomes. These are known as Sparking Episodes, which are similar to the "What If" scenarios from previous Dragon Ball games. Sparking Episodes offer players the opportunity to explore alternate timelines and see how events might have unfolded differently.To unlock these alternate scenarios, players must meet specific requirements during Episode Battles or make choices that deviate from the original storyline. For example, choosing to fight Raditz alone as Goku instead of teaming up with Piccolo can trigger a Sparking Episode, leading to a completely different outcome for the Saiyan Saga.
These branching paths add replay value to the game, as players can revisit character sagas and make different choices to unlock new Sparking Episodes. Once unlocked, these alternate scenarios can be replayed at any time without having to meet the original requirements again.
Hidden conditions for special scenes
Unlocking Sparking Episodes often requires players to fulfill hidden conditions or make specific choices during battles. These conditions can range from defeating an enemy within a certain time limit to choosing a different course of action at key moments in the story.For instance, in Vegeta's saga, players can unlock the "Parental Bond" Sparking Episode by defeating Android 18 within a fixed time during the "Wind-up Doll" episode. This triggers a new storyline focusing on Vegeta's relationship with Trunks and their battle against Cell.
Similarly, in Goku's saga, players can unlock multiple Sparking Episodes by making choices that differ from the original storyline. These hidden conditions add an element of discovery and experimentation to the game, encouraging players to explore different possibilities and uncover new narratives.
The Sparking Episodes not only provide alternative storylines but also offer unique rewards, such as Zeni and XP, incentivizing players to seek out these hidden scenarios. By completing all Sparking Episodes, players can witness how the fates of their favorite characters might have changed if events had played out differently in the iconic Dragon Ball story.
Online Multiplayer and Custom Battles
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero offers an exciting online multiplayer experience, allowing players to test their skills against opponents from around the world. The game also introduces custom battle features that add depth and replayability to the fighting experience.
Improved netcode from previous games
Sparking! Zero has made significant strides in improving its online connectivity compared to previous Dragon Ball games. While the game doesn't use rollback netcode, it employs a delay-based system that has shown promising results in early gameplay showcases. Players have reported smooth online battles with minimal lag, a welcome improvement from the often-criticized netcode of past titles.The game's online mode includes both ranked and casual friendly matches, catering to competitive players and those looking for a more relaxed experience. However, it's important to note that Sparking! Zero is primarily a 1v1 game, with no current plans for cooperative online battles with friends.
Create and share custom fight scenarios
One of the most exciting features of Sparking! Zero is the Custom Battle mode, which allows players to create and share their own fight scenarios. This mode offers an unprecedented level of creativity and customization within the Dragon Ball gaming universe.Players can choose from a vast array of options to craft their dream battles. The game provides approximately 5,000 lines of dialog to select from, allowing creators to build unique storylines and interactions between characters. Additionally, users can customize character poses, facial expressions, and even ban specific moves under certain conditions.
The Custom Battle mode offers three creation options: normal, simple, and copy. The normal edit section provides the most extensive customization tools, allowing players to set win conditions, choose music, and create complex scenarios with multiple effects and scenes. The simple option offers a more streamlined creation process, while the copy feature allows players to modify existing bonus battles.
Once created, these custom scenarios can be shared online, allowing other players to experience and enjoy them. This feature adds significant replay value to the game and fosters a creative community within the player base.
Local split-screen options
Sparking! Zero includes a local split-screen multiplayer option, allowing friends to compete against each other on the same console. However, this feature comes with a significant limitation: split-screen battles are restricted to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber stage only.This restriction has been a point of criticism among fans, as it limits the variety of environments available for local multiplayer matches. The Hyperbolic Time Chamber, while iconic, lacks the destructible elements and visual diversity found in other stages.
Despite this limitation, the inclusion of split-screen play is a welcome feature for those who enjoy local multiplayer gaming. It offers a nostalgic throwback to earlier Dragon Ball games and provides an option for players who prefer in-person competition.
It's worth noting that PC modders have already begun working on expanding the split-screen options, creating mods that allow access to various maps beyond the original limitations. While these mods are not official and may not be available for console versions, they demonstrate the community's desire for a more comprehensive local multiplayer experience.
Conclusion
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero offers a thrilling experience for fans of the iconic anime series. The game's massive character roster, intricate combat mechanics, and customization options provide endless hours of gameplay. Its story mode, complete with branching paths and what-if scenarios, allows players to explore alternate timelines and relive key moments from the series. The online multiplayer and custom battle features add even more depth to the game, giving players the chance to test their skills against others and create their own unique fight scenarios.
All in all, Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero is a must-play for die-hard fans and newcomers alike. Its attention to detail, faithful representation of the source material, and innovative features make it a standout title in the fighting game genre. While it has a steep learning curve and some limitations in local multiplayer, these minor drawbacks don't take away from the overall enjoyment of the game. For those looking to dive into the world of Dragon Ball or relive their favorite moments from the series, Sparking! Zero is definitely worth your time and investment.
