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| Addiction Level | 9.3/10  |
|---|---|
| Graphics | 10/10  |
| Value for Money | 9/10 |
| Reviewer Rating | 9.3/10 |
| Overall Rating | 9.3/10 |
By WBM
on 23rd Nov 2003
| Addiction Level | 10/10 |
|---|---|
| Value for money | 8/10 |
| Overall value | 9/10 |
 WBM's recommendation | |
excellent fighting sequences
dragon mode not so convincing
The original Dragon Ball Z: Budokai for the PlayStation 2 hooked fans of the long-running anime franchise with its addictive combination story, graphics, and gameplay. After years of games that struggled to find a way to bring the Dragon Ball license to the video game medium, developer Dimps' straightforward approach proved to be just what the doctor ordered for beleaguered fans. For the game's sequel, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2, Dimps has actually tweaked its successful formula by adding new moves, new playable characters, and a new gameplay mode. We had the chance to try out a near-final version of the game to see how this year's installment of the franchise has turned out.
Goku and posse return for more over-the-top fighting in Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 offers a slightly new experience from its predecessor, although many of the same modes are on hand, albeit with some modifications. You'll find four main gameplay modes to choose from. They are dragon world, dueling, world tournament, and training. Additionally, there's as an edit skills option. Dragon world replaces last year's story mode, and, while it still features narrative elements, it offers a decidedly different experience. The mode is broken up into three distinct components, a 2D-style board game, story sequences, and 3D fighting. As in last year's PlayStation 2 game and this year's recently released GameCube game, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2's narrative mines the various story arcs from the cartoon for its material. However, this time out the game doesn't use real-time cinemas based on the cartoon. The game's story is told via conversations between characters during the new 2D board sequences. The 3D fighting segments follow the same basic structure as the original game's, although there have been some refinements made to the fighting system.
The rest of the gameplay modes are straightforward and should be familiar to anyone who played last year's game. Dueling is basically a versus mode that lets you to take on a friend or an AI opponent. If you're looking to improve your fighting skills, you can also pit two AI opponents against one another and watch how they fight. The world tournament mode consists of a series of fights you can engage in to earn money so you can buy capsules to use in the game. The amount of cash your victories earn you is based on the level of difficulty at which you compete. The mode will initially offer only novice fights, but you'll be able to unlock greater levels of difficulty as you play through the game and buy corresponding capsules. Finally, the training mode lets you hone your fighting skills to perfection. This time out, the mode offers two ways to improve your battle techniques. Practice is a standard battle against an AI opponent that you can customize to suit your needs. Training, on the other hand, casts you in the role of Goten through six chapters that unlock sequentially. In these chapters, different characters will teach you the mechanics of the fighting engine. The edit skills option lets you go through and customize the fighters in your game with the various skill capsules you'll collect in the game. You'll be able to use your hard-earned cash in the skill shop to buy more or trade with a friend. You'll also be able to view an explanation of exactly how the skill system works, if you're unclear on its mechanics.
The dragon world mode gives the traditional story mode a new twist.
The tweaks to Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2's modes are complemented by some refinements and additions to its gameplay, which are, for the most part, welcome. The solid 3D fighting engine still features the same button layout and combo system. However, there have been some very cool additions that help give combat a more cinematic feel. The first addition is more of a refinement to the first game's over-the-top cinematics that could be triggered by knocking opponents out of the fighting arena and through obstacles, like mountains. Budokai 2 one-ups last year's game and offers some slick new camera angles for the cinematics. Additionally, it actually changes the layout of the arenas based on what happens. For example, it's now possible to trigger an avalanche when battling in one of the snowy locales. The other major additions to the fighting system are the ability to deflect incoming projectiles, like Raditz's soul bomb, in sequences that require you to rotate the analog sticks quickly and require you to move an onscreen meter as far right as you can within a certain amount of time. You'll be able to dodge incoming aerial attacks by pressing buttons in sequences that give you a few seconds to make a choice. If you manage to press the correct button, you'll slide out of the way, narrowly avoiding a painful squashing. The most significant addition to the fighting game, however, is the inclusion of the fusions that let different pairs of characters combine into brand-new fighters who are significantly more powerful than the individual fighters that make them up. The new moves are a perfect way to showcase the expanded fighting roster, which features alternate versions of characters, like Trunks, and presents new faces, like Supreme Kai, Goten, and Android #20.
| Helpful | Unhelpful | Agree | Disagree |
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| 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Total Respect: 0
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