[GAME REVIEW] Dragon Ball FighterZ - Fighter Game #1
By:@fatimahnur
Hello Steemian wherever you are may be healthy always and move as usual. In the afternoon I will review a game that I can say that is already legendary especially for children of the 90's. Namely Dragon Ball FighterZ is certainly no stranger to anime lovers. Let's see!
For you gamer lovers, how many series of Dragon Ball games have you played up to this moment? So believe it or not, the amount will be according to our age of course. For those who are old enough, it all starts from the charm of the SNES era that began to be able to photograph the figure as clear as Goku and Vegeta with extraordinary detail. For slightly younger gamers, GT Final Bout always offers many stories full of complaints and frustrations, even without hesitation, leaving painful injuries on the fingers. Many started from the Playstation 2 era and fell in love with Tenkaichi Budokai - a fighting game in a three-dimensional format that is faithful to what we know all along from its anime / manga series. The point? This is an icon that has grown with the gaming industry for quite a long time. A series that can not be handled by just any.
But at this time, Bandai Namco hook the seasoned fighting game developer - Arc System Works to work on a new series of fighting games - Dragon Ball FighterZ. You who had read our preview article yesterday seemed to have a little picture of what this one game offers, and how we fell in love with what he has to offer. Almost all of the elements that he offers, from "mere" visual presentation, audio, animated motion of each character, to fast timing-based combo execution managed to make this game not only look beautiful, but also fun to taste. A Dragon Ball game series that feels right to represent what we love from the manga / anime series in the past or the present.
PLOT
Game initiated by Akira Toriyama itself, Android 21 is a "central figure" for Dragon Ball FighterZ story mode. If you follow Bando Namco's various information released over the past few months, then you know already that the central figure for the Dragon Ball FighterZ plot will center on the new character formulated by Akira Toriyama directly - Android 21. But one surprise they have not talking about? Apparently the story related to this new figure not only offers a single story line, but three pieces with different characters protagonist. Three arc stories in our story, managed to offer single-player gameplay content for almost 8 hours without stopping, with a fight for the sake of the fight going on.
The related story of Android 21 will be taken from three stories: The protagonist with Goku as the central figure, Antagonist with Frieza as the plunger motor plot, and the last - Android 21 itself. All three are not one story with different perspectives, but three different stories that each offer an alternative approach that is all centered on the figure of Android 21. However, each of them share the same premise. You wake up unconscious with a mysterious soul that is connected to any character body that you control. The world is in danger, with the strongest brawlers who are suddenly weak and fallen asleep, followed by their dark Clone-Clones that begin to create chaos on earth. It's your job to stop it.
Clone that suddenly appeared and caused chaos on earth. Although it offers three different stories, as you can predict, you will not encounter anything unique and spectacular here. He still shares the identity of the Shonen story in general, where a better power struggles to defeat the evil forces of course, possess greater abilities and energies than any enemy you face today. But there is one interesting fact. Although all three stand as their own story, the background and explanations of some of the mysteries will be scattered, presented and opened in this separate arc-arc. The rest is to enjoy the journey together with Bulma who can also be called, as the central character who will continue to accompany you, in a cut-scene full of cut-scenes among the battles.
Then, who exactly is Android 21 that we mentioned from before? Why suddenly many clones are created in the world with the sleeping fighters? How could Goku's enemies survive after being killed in the battle of the past? All the answers to these questions you can certainly get by playing this Dragon Ball FighterZ.
There is one thing that is praiseworthy of Dragon Ball FighterZ is Arc System Works commitment to ensure you, get a faithful experience with what you love from Dragon Ball itself, either from the manga version or animenya. So almost all elements of the presentation, from just visual to audio, fulfill the small dream. The Unreal Engine 4, which is used as the base, is used optimally to create a beautiful 2.5D visualization of the color detail game, to dazzle through a variety of character attack animations that are retained and tailored to the game itself. Something that sounds simple on the surface, but complex when you dive deeper.
From the visual side, viewing Arc System Works's ability to offer iconic animations of every character translated in the game, especially for a stunning final attack is so fantastic. From Tien Shinhan's one of his flagship attacks should end up sacrificing Chiaotzu ala the scene of course, no longer foreign to you. More cool? The fact that as logic is supposed to be, Chiaotzu can only die once, thus, this final attack is only accessible once in every battle. Or how do they ensure Ginyu's body-exchange ability, for example, can be done here, for certain strategic advantages. Or is it more brutal? The ability of Android 16 to destroy itself through a massive explosion is also offered here.
As you dive deeper, you will discover that it is not just the details of characters, color games, and motion animation details that are enough to be the "wet dream" of Dragon Ball fans here, but also the little details that perfect them. If you attack with the ability of your light balls for example, you can see how this new light source will affect the image of the character and the environment itself. You can see different shading shapes and dynamic follow this. Or what if you managed to "hit" these rays of rays back, and you would see how it would land randomly, and possibly destroy a little part of the environment wherever you fought. Extraordinary!
RIP Hiromi Tsuru
One aspect of another presentation that can not be ruled out just like that also comes from the audio presentation he offers. For Dragon Ball fans, there's always something special about the Dragon Ball audio itself. That sounds when a shelling attack like Final Flash or Kamehameha flies deep through space has always had a specific sound, or when a quick blow is waged to any foe who fights, or for just how quickly they move to face the enemy from behind. Every sound you know from the Dragon Ball anime, to the smallest one, is perfectly represented here. Even for the story mode, they managed to hook the entire Japanese voice actor / acrress to portray their own characters, including Bulma filled by the late Hiromi Tsuru, RIP.
Everything is simplified in one button or a combination of two buttons. There are buttons dedicated to regular attacks that will trigger combos if pressed repeatedly, one button for powerful attack ready to bounce characters to the edge of the screen to be combed again with extra attacks, one attack for light balls, and one button for medium attack . There is one button to do Super Dash = super fast move to open an attack, one button to do a Dragon Rush which is actually no different from the grappling function to hit a persisting enemy, and two buttons for Assist or replace characters. The rest? Some functions of two buttons to collect energy (Ki) or make the movement disappear and attack from behind. With this simple button, the rest of the activity you need to do is learn to look for timings to execute it.
Try to extend the combos that you have started to focus more.
In fact, it must be admitted, that most of what you do with Dragon Ball FighterZ is more to the mental game against the enemy in front of your eyes. Predicting what they will be doing, considering whether it is appropriate to counter-attack, or should Admiral or your offensive capabilities be possible, or is this an opportunity to exploit the Dragon Rush attack because your enemies are actually surviving? This is the core of Dragon Ball FighterZ itself. Once you are able to open the attack and get in, the priority turns into an effort to keep the combo as long as possible. Especially like the Marvel vs Capcom format, your attack combo can be connected by calling your other team members and just continue it.
The rest, is to pay attention to your Ki resource usage. It should not only be executed to launch a wrestling attack that can take 1-3 Ki, you can use it for a variety of different attacks. By combining round semicircles (left to right or right to left) + Heavy Attack, you can access a standard attack variant in a stronger version that asks you to sacrifice 1 Ki. It's effective to extend the combos you throw or just, adds damage at the end. For you who want to survive and do the action disappear and attack from behind, you also need 1 Ki to execute it. Successfully collected up to a maximum of 7 bars, there are a variety of more powerful actions that you can access. Each character will usually come with two types - 3 types of attack variants - which only need 1 Ki and a more powerful and cinematic with 3 Ki. There are only two characters only - SSGSS Goku and SSGSS Vegeta who have a jungkalan step that demands 5 pieces Ki for maximum effect.
"Space" - the prettiest battleground in this one game. With all the presentations he offers, including setting the battleground that is equally fascinating, especially the "Space" stage where Beerus and Goku fight in Dragon Ball Super, it's hard not to fall in love with this Dragon Ball FighterZ. For the heavy fans who have been following the story of Goku et al since he was a child until he grew up with the power equivalent to the various universe gods in the latest series today, he even achieved an equivalent or even better quality, resembling an anime version in high definition, but in an interactive format that you can control and master.
The combinations may look similar to each other. But once you dive in, you'll see that each character has a different attack identity. Even the slightest difference, can affect the course of the battle if you are not vigilant.
Admittedly, the strategy to try to win each battle is almost similar to each other. That opening with a Super Dash, a combo, replacing it with another character, and doing a similar cycle until it's obvious to the opponent seems to be the most effective strategy. The good news? Although all characters can do this, Arc System Works is still able to ensure that each character, has a different attack identity to each other. Example? Hit, for example. The character of this Super Dragon Ball has an extensive range of Normal + Heavy attacks, however, can not do Dragon Dash while in the air. Or for example talk about Beerus that only have 3 combinations of attacks Normal, but always end up with teleportation attacks from behind that if not anticipated opponent, could end up entering for combo opener. Or we talk about small things like Gohan (Adult) whose normal attack comes with more blows than other characters, to the great chance of outwitting an unintelligible foe. Larger characters also typically come with slower attacks, such as Nappa and Android 16, and vice versa - like Krillin and Kid Buu. And there is also Yamcha, which in our eyes, is not much use.
The simplicity of the functionality you can access and the more games that lead to timing and read the opponent's mental make this game more accessible, for newcomers gamers. Moreover, if you remember that for you who likes to play single-player, it offers a level of Normal difficulty that must be recognized, quite easily calculated. You should be able to finish any battle at this level of difficulty with no problems. Uniquely? There's a big disparity between Normal and Hard difficulty levels that you can taste in this single-player mode, either when you complete the Story or Arcade modes offered here. Hard Mode will require you to show your ability thanks to the aggressiveness of AI's more actively attacking computers, better combining Assist buttons, and more fantastic damage. It's not easy to beat enemies in Hard mode just like that.
Unfortunately, considering we got it earlier, the multiplayer server itself was not active when this review came out. But if it refers to experience in yesterday's beta, you do not have to worry a lot. It will be an exciting, exciting and exciting competitive game.
Of course, the rest is a multiplayer mode thanks to an intense competitive sensation and a solid gameplay, seeming to be ready to absorb your playing time with this title for a long time. Unfortunately, considering we get this copy review at least a week early, the server to try out this mode does not seem ready until the day of the final release - on January 26, 2018. Fortunately, we had tested the last open beta that should have represented what you can anticipate. This mode will have a Casual and Outdoors mode, just like a multiplayer competitive game in general. One of the things we like is information about delay frames on the screen if you happen to be connected to other players, which will help you predict roughly as good or as bad as your battle will run from the technical side. We ourselves, are no longer eagerly awaiting gamers to get this game on the day of release, and instantly test our capabilities online. As cool and cool as that fighting game this one. Believe it or not, if you are a newbie fighting gamer, then plunge into this one mode will help you master Dragon Ball FighterZ faster, learn a variety of effective strategies to unlock the attack.
Lootbox? Secure!
Yes, he's carrying a lootbox system, but you do not have to worry.
We finally arrive at one of the discussions that seems, ready to "haunt" many gamers who are looking forward to Dragon Ball FighterZ at this time. Does it load the lootbox? Does it load microtransactions? Does it contain DLC content in it? Does this combination of policies make it unbalanced to be competitively played and so on? There is one answer we can offer here.
For you who do not get instant access, SSGSS Goku and SSGSS Vegeta can be obtained in two different ways. The first way, is to collect Zeni - the currency in the game that can be harvested through combat either offline or online, even from Story mode though. SSGSS Goku will be accessible if you have 500,000 Zeni, while SSGSS Vegeta is 300,000 Zeni. It's a big number, but not impossible to achieve. Another alternative way is to try and conquer each Course in Arcade Mode for Hard difficulty. Remember, AI in Hard mode will test your fighting skills very tightly, until mechanical mastery becomes more essential here. Offering extra challenges, successfully completing both will open SSGSS Goku and SSGSS Vegeta for you.
Bandai Namco and Arc System Works have confirmed at least 8 DLC characters that they will be distributing in the future for those who bought Season Pass, a "normal" strategy for today's fighting games. In the meantime, you can also purchase special editions that allow you to access the two extra characters - SSGSS Goku and SSGSS Vegeta instantly. The good news? This DLC is not absolute. You can still get three extra characters from an existing roster: Android 21, SSGSS Goku, and SSGSS Vegeta in a normal way that does not need extra money, although it takes more hard work.
There are alternatives to collect Zeni and access them also for you who are not proficient.
With all its charm, it's no exaggeration to call Dragon Ball FighterZ is the best Dragon Ball series we've played so far. Arc System Works and Bandai Namco seem to understand very well what makes the Dragon Ball so loved to this day, and then ensures that all of the attraction is reflected clearly through the products they are racik. We're talking not only about the right target presentation and super cool in the visual and audio section, but also the animated character animation details, the balancing process of the game, the dramatization, and the lootbox concept that contains only cosmetic items. For gamers who love Dragon Ball, both from the anime / manga series, either from the "Z" or "Super" series, this will be one product you do not want to miss. A game that looks not only built just as a "stuff", but also the accumulation of hard work, creative process, and love of Dragon Ball as a popular anime that has accompanied us for a very long time.
Advantages
It's hard not to fall in love with the presentation he's offering.
The visuals are cool
Voice actor / actress is like the animated series
Dramatization is bombastic
Gameplay is fast and fun
Friendly to gamers of newcomers fighting genre
Stories with three arcs that offer quite a long game time
Audio loyal to the main material
A fun and thrilling multiplayer sensation (based on past beta version)
Android Design 21
Deficiency
Content in Story mode feels quite repetitive
The difficulty level "Normal" is easy
The selection of roster characters is a bit confusing
There are no cosmetic items for alternate costumes for each character, just different colors
Game Informations
Artist: Katsuki Mukai
Developer: Arc System Works
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Director: Junya C Motomura
Producer: Tomoko Hiroki
Programmer: Takuro Kayumi
Composer: Toshiyuki Kishi Hiromi Mizutani Kenji Katoh Reno
Series: Dragon Ball
Engine: Unreal Engine
Platform: Microsoft Windows PlayStation 4 Xbox One
Release: WW: January 26, 2018 JP: February 1, 2018
Genre: Fighting
Mode: Single-player, multiplayer
Written by: @fatimahnur
Langsa, Aceh, Indonesia, 8 January 2018
This is a solid review, it should get better exposure. Followed!!
I like how you covered many points (even the lootbox), how you praised the presentation... your writing style is good. (How did you get the review copy?)