PC & console game reviews
THE TECHLIFE TEAM REVIEWS THE LATEST GAMES FOR PC AND CONSOLES, BEGINNING WITH THIS IMPRESSIVE FUSION OF ANIME AND PUNCHING. Dragon Ball FighterZ OVER-THE-TOP BOISTROUS FUN. $99.95 | PC, PS4, XO | www.bandainamcoent.com
DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ is possibly one of the best licensed fighting games we’ll ever get. The whole package frankly embarrasses other fighting game releases so far this generation. Where Street Fighter V released without a true story mode, with a limited roster and paltry training options, and where Marvel Vs. Capcom: Infinite hit shelves feeling decidedly unfinished, FighterZ feels like a direct response to those. It’s brimming with stuff to see and do. From the second you boot the game up, you can jump into Arcade or Versus mode and select from 18 characters, and there are three more unlockable fighters.
The Arcade system is one of the freshest we’ve seen in a fighting game for some time. You’re graded after each 3v3 bout in the ladder, and depending on the rank, you’ll move on to one of three fights: B+ takes you up, C takes you across, and lower pushes you down. It’s a unique, interesting and challenging take on the Arcade mode, and one that’s far more complex than you’d think on first impression.
The complete roster is a shining example of fun character design, and you’ll notice a versatility in the cast that often makes bouts unpredictable. A variety of mechanics come into play in each fight to make the bouts varied and engrossing. Your character can teleport, fly to meet your opponent or call in support. The icing on the cake is the Dragon Ball mechanic. Performing lengthy combos and achieving certain conditions in battle will see you ‘collect’ Dragon Balls, and once you gain all seven, the first team to pull off an AutoCombo will summon the dragon god himself.
Training mode is robust. As well as the standard ‘beat up a dummy’ mode, the game will also offer you lessons that explain the game from its most basic elements right up to the more tricky aspects of combat. Then there’s character-specific challenges designed to help you master some of the bread-and-butter combos you’ll be relying on in combat.
The Story mode cutscenes show the limitations of ArcSys’ engine with a few stiff animations, but for the most part, it remains a good-looking, authentic interpretation. You start as the heroes, then the villains, then a mystery perspective. It’s impressive in scope, and certainly worth playing through, although the English dub is pretty horrific in places.
Even if you’re not a Dragon Ball fan, this game will scratch your fighting game itches.