Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Review

Introduction

I have been a fan of the Dragon Ball franchise for 5 years now. I was introduced to it when Dragon Ball Z Kai aired on Nicktoons. I loved it the characters were awesome, and the action was great. So then when Dragon Ball Z Kai ended I started watching the original version of Dragon Ball Z even though I haven't watched it all the all the way through, and it was great. I also watched Dragon Ball GT, which was okay, it was not as great as Dragon Ball Z though. From then on I've been a fan of the series since. With having seen all the movies and specials, watching the new series Dragon Ball Super, and I've even gone back and watched the original Dragon Ball series. So I was excited when they had released the first game. It was a new take for the Dragon Ball video games, however there were many problems with the first game, so I very excited when I saw that a sequel for Xenoverse was in the works, and hoping that they had fixed many of the issues that were in the first game. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a fighting role-playing video game developed by Dimps and published by BandaiNamco Entertainment based on the Dragon Ball franchise. It is the sequel to Dragon Ball Xenoverse that was released on October 25, 2016. for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and on October 28 for Steam. In Japan, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 has been released only on PlayStation 4. It is the second Dragon Ball video game released on eighth generation video game consoles.

Story

The story of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is similar to what the story was in the previous game. Xenoverse 2 takes place two years after the events of the first game, with the protagonist joining the now expanded Time Patrol, as the course of history begins changing again. The protagonist has to fight their way to make history right again and also has to make decisions. The storyline will be affected by the decisions the protagonist makes as they progress through the story.

Gameplay

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a fighting RPG. While unlike the previous game Xenoverse 2 contains more RPG elements this time around, which was one my main issues with the previous game. Like in Xenoverse you choose from the five races from the series. Maijin, Saiyan, Earthling, Frieza, and Namekian. Along with their genders.

This is only the case for the Majin, Saiyan, and Earthling races and not the Frieza, and Namekian races. Once you choose your race and gender you will then be able to customize your character anyway you want. I was very impressed on how much they expanded on the customization, which I felt in the previous game their was only certain amounts they touched on; at least for the females, that is.

Besides being able to customize your character, you will also be able to customize your character's stats, move set, and equipment. The game also features race-specific quests, mini-games and transformations. The game has various modes to play both in single player, and multiplayer aspects. Such as Story Mode, where players play through a distorted version of the Dragon Ball storyline to restore the timeline, Parallel quests, where you replay events from the Dragon Ball timeline with different conditions and characters. You will be rewarded with skills, items and more. Parallel quest will feature new quests as well as remastered versions of quests from Xenoverse, Endless battles, where you fight until you can't fight anymore! May the best fighter win! No-Level matches where you play without stats. Players will be able to compete based on skill with no level advantages. This mode allows the removal of the timer, Giant-boss mode where players face giant bosses such as Great Ape Vegeta, and be played with up to six players, World Tournament where you challenge the world to see who is the strongest! Training Mode where you practice your Skills at training school! and Raid Boss Battles where players fight against bosses such as Broly, Turles, Majin Vegeta, and Golden Frieza.

Players are able to freely traverse Conton City, and in some areas are even capable of flying around, however this feature will not be available from start, instead being unlocked. Players are given a hoverboard, which will help players to traverse through Conton City. There are teleportation areas around Conton City, which allow players to quickly travel to other areas, however, much like in Xenoblade Chronicles X you need to find the areas before you have access to them. Players will also be able to travel to other hubs such as the Namekian Village and Frieza's ship

Some skills will have to be learned through masters, like the previous game. However, some masters will be found exclusively in these extra hubs. Players also have a much greater role in the story, as some decisions will have to be made by them. Multiplayer servers are now able to hold up to 300 players at once and all players can undertake quests, enter fights, shop, and more in Conton City.. The game also has a training mode called Training School where players can brush up on their fighting skills. There is also a training mode in the game, which feels like the training from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Players can also import their character from the original game where they will play a role in the story. For owners of previous-gen consoles, a cross gen save feature will be added in an update that allows players to upload their PS3/Xbox 360 data. The chosen character will also have their clothes and skills (save for a few) available from the outset for the new character.

Graphics

The graphics in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 are beautiful it definitely takes advantage of the power of a next-gen console being fully utilized, especially when you are fighting up against foes. It definitely does justice to the Dragon Ball series by capturing our favorite moments in the series through beautiful cutscenes, and attention to detail on not just the attacks, but the areas themselves as well.  

Sounds

One of the few things that I didn't like in the game was the soundtrack. The problem was that it doesn't feel like Dragon Ball, it doesn't have that nostalgia to it,  although I wasn't fond of the game's soundtrack that, at first, I've grown to like, I wished they had tried to bring back our favorite tracks that we love from the Dragon Ball series. Aside from the soundtrack, the game brings back all of our favorite actors from both the English sub and dub versions of the series, and as always they do an amazing job at portraying their roles.

Collector's Edition

Along with the standard release of the game. There was also a Collector's Edition for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 on Playstation 4. The Collector's Edition contains an Exclusive steel book case, a Time Patrol Guide Artbook, The Official Music Soundtrack, and a Son Goku Master Stars Piece 13" Height Figure. Unfortunately, this was only exclusive to the PS4, and Xbox One version, which is a shame to those who are getting the PC version.

Downloadable Content

Although it has not been officially confirmed yet, we know that we will be getting a future DLC Pack containing two characters from the Universe Six arc Frost, and Kyabe. However it is unknown as to what else will be available when that DLC Pack launches. We also know that there will be more future DLC Packs revealed later on.

Summary

Although I enjoyed the game it still has some issues, some of which were fixed, but others were not. Such as the balance issues, random drops, not being able to remove the time for the local multiplayer. That and of course they may have added new stuff it feels like an expansion of the first game, and not an actual true sequel to the previous game. I do wish they had take more time with these issues it's really disappointing. I also hope that with the DLC on the way it will give some new content.

With these pros and cons in mind I'm going to have to give this a 7.3 out of 10. I wish I could give it a much higher rating, but after seeing them make some of the same mistakes they made in the previous game I couldn't overlook that. Not only, but the fact that you didn't give us the Dragon Ball soundtrack we wanted, you didn't fixed the balance issues, the drop system is still the same as before, which was one of the many problems with the first game. Not only that with only the what-if scenarios the main story still feels like the original. But besides that there were however many things I did enjoy such as being able to explore all the worlds in the series, it's improved fighting mechanics the game is very enjoyable if your able to get pass its issues.