Summary
The latest entry in theBudokai Tenkaichifranchise,Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero, does a fantastic job of continuing the legacy of the series. It brings back all the fan-favorite features from the previous installments, includingthe enormous roster of characters, fast-paced battles, and a plethora of epic fusions and transformations that define theDragon Ballexperience.
On top of that,Sparking Zeroalso brings a set of brand-new features never before seen in theBudokai Tenkaichiseries. These additions make the game feel familiar yet fresh, making for an enjoyable experience for both veterans of the series and new players. Now thatSparking Zerohas been out for a couple of months, let’s highlight its best new features, ones that will hopefully become a fixture of futureDragon Ballgames in this subseries.
What-If Storylines
Non-Canon Storylines That Take The Story In Unexpected Directions
The earlier entries in theBudokai Tenkaichiseries were renowned for having some of the mostcomprehensive story modes in all theDragon Ballgames. For instance,Budokai Tenkaichi 3’s story mode covered almost every fight that happened throughout theDragon Ballseries (includingGT). Therefore, fans expectedSparking Zero’sstory mode to be even more expansive, especially considering all the new content shown inDragon Ball Super.
However,Sparking Zero’sstory mode doesn’t quite reach the same level of extensiveness as its predecessors, though future DLCs are expected to expand on the content. The game makes up for this shortcoming by introducingWhat-If storylines. By completing alternate objectives during story battles, players can unlock alternate paths that lead to non-canon storylines that fans have never seen before, offering a fresh take on beloved characters and events.
Super Shenron
Shenron’s Bigger, More Powerful Version Joins The Cast
One of the most underappreciated features of theBudokai Tenkaichiwas the ability to summon Shenron, who would grant the player different kinds of rewards, such as Zeni, new maps, and additional characters.
Sparking Zeronot only brings back Shenron but also introduces his superior counterpart: Super Shenron. First seen inDragon Ball Super, this multiversal dragon is the most powerful in the franchise, and his inclusion in the game doesn’t disappoint. Players can summon Super Shenronto make incredible wishes, such as unlocking characters like Goku Black orobtaining powerful ability items that provide a significant edge in battles.
First-Person POV Cutscenes
Experience Iconic Dragon Ball Moments Like Never Before
While the previousBudokai Tenkaichigames had highly fleshed-out story modes, one notable shortcoming was the lack of properly animated cutscenes. The games relied on static character models delivering dialogue, which resulted in a lack of visual flair.
Sparking Zerotakes a huge leap forward by introducing fully animated cutscenes for a large chunk of its story moments. It also introduces a First-Person POV option, allowing players to experience iconic moments from the series through the eyes of their favorite characters. This feature makes the cutscenes feel a lot more personal and intense.
Custom Battles
A Unique Feature With A Lot Of Potential
ForDragon Ballfans with creative minds,Sparking Zero’sCustom Battle feature is a dream come true. This brand-new mode lets players craft battles in their own image, offering full control over elements like the map, characters, trigger events, win conditions, and the battle’s title screen.
The highlight of the Custom Battle mode is the ability to share these creations online for other players to enjoy. While some improvements are needed to make the battle creation process easier, its potential is undeniable. It’s a fantastic way to foster creativity and strengthen theSparking Zerocommunity, encouraging fans to build and share theirownDragon Ballstories.
Online Ranked Mode
A Place For Players To Finally Put Their Skills To The Test
While the Wii version ofBudokai Tenkaichi3 included an online multiplayer option, none of the previous installments in the series ever featured an online ranked mode. Fans had long dreamed of a system where they could face off against each other, earn ranks, and climb a competitive ladder – a dream finally realized inSparking Zero.
The game offers a full-fledged online ranked mode, allowing players to compete across 26 ranks to reach the coveted Z Rank. This mode caters to different playstyles with two battle formats: Single Battles, where players can choose one character for 1v1 combat, andDP Battles, where players can assemble a team of up to five characters. Whether players prefer one-on-one duels or strategic team-based clashes,Sparking Zero’sranked mode has something for everyone.
Unique Grab Animations
Special Animations That Reference Legendary Moments From The Show
Sparking Zerointroduces a delightful new feature that fans didn’t expect to see but welcomed with open arms: unique grab animations. While every character in the game has a standard grab animation, a handful of them perform special grabs when facing a specific opponent.
For instance, when SSB Vegeta grabs SSJ Rosé Goku Black, he replicates his iconic moment from the anime, grabbing him by the air and delivering a brutal headbutt. These unique grabs recreateawesome moments from the series, serving as exciting Easter eggs for keen-eyed fans who catch the references.
Zen-Oh’s Orders
A Fun Progression System That Gives Cool Rewards
Zen-Oh makes an appearance in the game’s “Challenges and Missions” menu, not to wreak havoc, but to issue fun challenges known as “Zen-Oh’s Orders.” These challenges are very straightforward but offer cool rewards, such as Zeni, and cool titles for players to use on their profiles.
This system serves as a fun little progression mechanic that encourages players to grind the game. It also motivates them to usecharacters they might not have tried otherwise, making the gameplay feel more fresh and rewarding.
