Dragon Ball
fans, I have been with you every step of the way.
I was there
when the disappointing Dragon Ball Z: Sagas was released on the original
Xbox and I was there when Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi made me
realize that a great Dragon Ball game can be possible in the right hands.
I was there because, like you, I adore the series and want a game worthy of the
great story and characters. Unfortunately, Dragon Ball: Raging Blast for
the Xbox 360 isn’t the game we have been waiting for despite the fact that it
piles on the game modes and scenarios.
Oh, Namco
Bandai, it’s quality and quantity that we crave in our games and you have
given us the quantity but it’s the quality that makes Raging Blast feel
like this is the game that would have been amazing if the game’s problems didn’t
hold it back. You see, the game features an impressive mode called Dragon Battle
Collection that offers seven Dragon Ball sagas that fans of the manga and anime
will recognize. Each saga contains various battle scenarios associated with each
saga. Consider it a Best Of collection of battles you can play.
There are
brief recaps for each of the battle scenarios so even those who aren’t familiar
with the series can understand what led to the battle and what’s at stake.
There’s the original Frieza Saga that has Goku and the rest of the Z-Fighters
going up against the evil overlord Frieza and then there’s the Androids Saga
that has the heroes going up against Dr. Gero’s android creations that have run
amok. There’s even the Bardock Saga and the Majin Buu Saga but it doesn’t come
close to matching the awesome Legendary Super Saiyan Saga with Broly.
If that
wasn’t enough, there’s a What If Stories section that offers interesting twists
and “what if” scenarios such as What If Bardock faced off against his grandsons
Gohan and Goten? In another “what if” scenario, Videl asks Piccolo to be her
master … by facing off against him to prove herself worthy. These are certainly
some fun twists in the storyline worthy playing.
Then there’s
World Tournament mode that offers a tournament challenge against any character
you might have unlocked in Dragon Battle Collection mode as well as some Cell
Games that have you fighting until you’re crowned as the tournament champion.
Then there’s Versus mode that brings Single Battle and Team Battle fighting
action against a CPU opponent or against a friend online or offline. Super
Battle Trail contains nine different arcade-styled fighting modes such as
Survival, Time Attack, Score Attack and KO Attack to name just a few.
The good
news is that your characters can also be customized via the Ultimate Customize
feature that allows you to equip different Super Attacks for your favorite
characters as well as equip any item you might have earned during the main mode
to upgrade your character’s abilities and skills. The bad news is that while
this feature does make a difference, the flaws in the gameplay will not let you
enjoy the customization options.
Aside from
the long load times and the inconsistent opponent AI (why can Super Buu beat you
without taking any damage in one instance and then be easily defeated in the
same game mode if you go for a rematch?), the camera is awful. You are often
left looking at a rock if your character mover to the far right and sometimes
you’re just looking at blue sky if you move to your lower left. I once lost a
fight I was winning because the camera kept focusing on a wall. On top of those
problems, occasionally the game doesn’t respond to the basic Melee Attacks
button leading to your character getting knocked around like a bowling pin.
As far as
the visuals are concerned, Raging Blast does a great job with each
character. Not only do they look great in action but they look like they just
stepped out of some Blu-ray release of the anime. Even the visual effects rock
in this game as each character’s ability shines through. What doesn’t shine are
the environments that look bland. Sure they can crumble and break as your
characters fight but do they have to look that plain?
The game’s
sound fairs a bit better thanks to the great voice acting that can be heard
throughout the game and it’s great to hear favorite character making little
comments during the battle, many of which are aimed at particular characters or
rivals. Aside from the cool anime-styled opening song, the rest of the
soundtrack is cheesy rocking guitars.
Dragon
Ball: Raging Blast
is one of those games that
should have been an unforgettable fighting game Dragon Ball fans could seriously
love but its faults make this one a major disappointment. This is too bad
considering the fact that there are dozens of characters, plenty of game modes
and story scenarios to play. Skipping Raging Blast might not be such a
bad idea but hopefully we will have a Dragon Ball fighting game on the Xbox 360
one day.
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Gameplay: 6.0
The game’s main
story mode has more than enough scenarios that fans will recognize and the other
modes offer even more extras to the table. It’s just too bad that the game’s
various problems get in the way of the action. There’s a good multiplayer mode,
though.
Graphics: 8.0
All the
characters look like they stepped out of a newly remastered high-def version of
the characters straight out of the anime. It’s unfortunate that the backgrounds
didn’t get the same treatment.
Sound:
7.5
The game’s
soundtrack ranges from decent to super cheesy and repeat often throughout the
game, although I did like the opening theme song. There’s a solid voice acting
cast in the game is awesome and the sound effects are simply Ok.
Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Naturally, some
opponents will give your chosen character quite a workout so expect the likes of
Android #17, Piccolo or even Frieza giving you a hard time. Fans who know the
strongest characters will know what to expect during the battles.
Concept: 7.0
The Dragon Battle
Collection contains a number of familiar scenarios spanning different sagas in
the Dragon Ball lore such as the Frieza Saga or the Saiyan Saga as well as What
If scenarios. There are plenty of arcade-styled modes plus a World Tournament
mode you can share with friends.
Multiplayer: 8.0
Dragon Ball fans
will certainly appreciate the game’s multiplayer mode whether you’re playing
against friends using a single Xbox or going online and battling with other
Dragon Ball fans. You’ll certainly enjoy holding a World Tournament and with
numerous characters to use the competition is deliciously fierce and fun.
Overall: 6.0
Raging Blast
had all the
makings of an amazing Dragon Ball game but comes up short in all the
places that count. Sure, all the great characters are present and there are
enough extras to keep fans wanting to jump into a tournament but the gameplay
just falls flat to make the battles too awkward. There have been great Dragon
Ball games before but, sadly, this one does not qualify.
