| Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z | |
| Developer: | Artdink |
| Publisher: | Bandai Namco Games |
| Composer: | Shunsuke Kikuchi Toshiyuki Kishi Hisao Sasaki Takao Nagatani |
| Series: | Dragon Ball |
| Genre: | Fighting Action role-playing |
| Modes: | Single-player, local & online multiplayer |
| Platforms: | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita |
is an action role-playing fighting game based on the Dragon Ball franchise. It was developed by Artdink and published by Bandai Namco Games. The game features elements from the 2013 Dragon Ball Z film, Battle of Gods, including the first appearance in a Dragon Ball video game of Goku's Super Saiyan God form,[1] Beerus, and Whis.
Battle of Z is a team fighting action title that lets up to eight players battle it out against one another. The game supports up to four players in cooperative play, and lets players perform attacks together and heal one another. It also supports online multiplayer battles,[2] and PS Vita ad-hoc connection. A multiplayer restriction in this game is that two players can not play on the same console; the developers say this is due to wanting a player having the best possible graphics in full screen. Battle of Z features over 70 characters, as well as team battles against giant characters such as Great Ape Vegeta, Great Ape Gohan, and Hirudegarn.
The game features more than 70 characters. Instead of transformations grouped together into one character, they are separated into each transformation each. The pre-order offer comes in with two in-game DLC characters: Super Vegito and Super Saiyan Bardock, available via pre-order across Europe, America, and Australasia. Day 1 Edition includes a bonus DLC code for Super Saiyan Goku in Naruto Sage Mode costume.
The game's key feature is team battle action of four versus four.[3] Teammates share a special energy meter called Genki Gauge. This meter increases when attacking opponents and, when filled, allows the character to perform an ultimate attack.[4] Any of the teammates can decide to give or use energy from the gauge in order to perform an attack. Playable characters can team up to perform techniques such as Synchro Rush, Meteor Chain, and Revive Soul. Meteor Chain involves partners teaming up to launch attack after attack, following up each other's attacks and timing it so the opponent has no time to counter.[3] Using Meteor Chains is an effective way to get the GENKI Gauge to fill up quickly.[4] Synchro Rush is rushing the opponent at the same time, resulting in simultaneous hits. Revive Soul is reviving a fallen partner, giving them energy to get back in the battle.[3] Also, thanks to Energy Share, teammates can share ki with each others.[4] Villains can team up with Heroes in the game, but they do not show appreciation when given ki or extra energy to heal.
There are four different battle types for playable characters:
There is a unique feature system that allows players to modify (edit) characters using ability/or customization cards. By collecting and equipping cards, characters that might not be suited to battle can be boosted to make them more capable, alternatively they can be given abilities that make their natural strengths more pronounced.[5]
Game modes include Single Missions, Multi Missions, and Team Battles.
This mode only allows Internet or ad-hoc connection.
Battle of Z brings back the feature to edit a character to make them the strongest character. It is shown that cards and card slots are the method for editing characters. Battle of Z introduces the feature to edit the color pattern of character's costume.
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z received mixed reviews, The Japanese magazine Famitsu gave 32/40 to all versions of the game with all four reviewers giving the game 8/10. PSU gave it 8/10, criticizing the lack of offline vs. and offline co-op modes. IGN gave an overall score of 6.6/10, criticizing the limited combat and the unbalanced teams in Battle Mode, while praising the visuals and the Co-op Mode. GameSpot gave this game a 4/10.
As of March 31, 2014 the game shipped 620,000 copies worldwide.[6]