Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – Game Review

The true King of Anime, Dragon Ball, has graced our games, cinemas, TVs, and more! It truly has taken over the whole world at this point. So as you can imagine a game that let’s players recreate major storylines from the Dragon Ball Z anime was sure to do well. Taking the freedom that Xenoverse provided players, as well as the large open-spaced combat that truly helps make fighting feel like a clip from the anime. Then putting it together with popular storylines and a more detailed open world filled with familiar characters and locations. Of course, fans loved it. But enough of that! Let’s get into our Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot review…

Details of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT | Official Website (EN)
Image Source: Bandai Namco

Developer: CyberConnect2

Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment  

Platform: PC, Windows, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia, Steam Deck

Release Date: 16th January 2020

Price: £49.99

Story of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT + CONJUNTO UM NOVO PODER DESPERTA - A Próxima  Jornada de Goku para Nintendo Switch - Site Oficial da Nintendo para Brasil
Image Source: Nintendo

The story of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot follows four arcs from the series. These are: the Saiyan Saga, the Frieza Saga, the Cell Saga, and the Buu Saga. With more storylines available as DLC with some including the Battle of the Gods and Resurrection ‘F’. Each is recreated in the game with love and is clear to see it was made by fans of the series. They hit the big story marks and add a new layer of tension as you are the one fighting back the bad guys.

Analysis of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Gameplay

Save 75% on DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT on Steam
Image Source: Steam

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an open world action RPG. With players free to choose to follow the main story missions or venture off the beaten path. The world is filled with various NPCs with a butt load of side quests for you to make your way through. Packed with story content, based on the Anime, with four different story arcs for you to complete.

Combat is some of the most fun I’ve ever come across. It’s dynamic fighting puts games like the modern Street Fighters, Tekken, and Mortal Kombat to shame. The sheer depth of the level of manoeuvrability you in a fight is unrivalled. It does take some time getting used to being able to move around so much but when you do you’ll find yourself loving the freedom.


Pros

  • Fighting
  • Skill Tree
  • Open World
  • World Design

Cons

The only real con of the whole game was that some of the quests that required you to collect items would have rubbish waypoints. Sometimes pointing straight into a wall. I know some are behind breakable boulders, but it would happen for items that weren’t behind breakable objects. This small but very frustratingly tedious hiccup hindered the pace and flow of the game and even put me of playing for a week.



Summary

How To Level Up Fast in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot - Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot  Guide - IGN
Image Source: IGN

The combat is swift, weighty, visually stunning, and most importantly really fun. Dragon Ball games on a whole have always had a hefty reputation when it came to fighting games. The old 2d fighters, the new Xenoverse games. Dragon Ball has always excelled when developers see the potential in the cinematic, emotional fights that are littered within the source material and CyberConnect2 clearly saw that! The game is a must play for any DBZ, anime, or fighting game fan!

Recommendation: YES!

Platform Played On: Steam Deck