Dragon Ball Sparking! Zero
- October 10, 2024
- Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
- 12h median play time
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Get on PS Store"Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO" is a fighting game that features characters from the Dragon Ball series. Pre-ordering gets you an exclusive character and early access to six others. The deluxe edition includes a season pass for additional content and early access to DLC packs. The game builds on the Budokai Tenkaichi series, allowing players to master each character's abilities, transformations, and techniques.
PC
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- story3,164 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story mode in "Sparking Zero" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over its presentation, which primarily consists of slideshows and minimal cutscenes, making it feel rushed and lacking depth. While the inclusion of "what if" scenarios adds some intrigue and replayability, the overall narrative is criticized for skipping significant moments and not providing a cohesive experience, especially for newcomers to the Dragon Ball franchise. Despite these shortcomings, the game's combat and character roster are praised, suggesting that it may appeal more to fans seeking engaging gameplay rather than a rich storytelling experience.
“The story mode is engaging, featuring exciting missions that expand on the Dragon Ball universe, making it feel like I’m part of the saga.”
“The story mode has a ton of 'what if' scenarios, but it is kind of annoying that you have to intentionally play poorly to unlock the 'canonical' path most of the time.”
“The story mode includes fun 'what-if' scenarios that mix up the classic Dragon Ball timeline, giving fans fresh takes on iconic moments.”
“The story mode is a complete joke.”
“The story mode is presented in a slideshow format with animated cut scenes sprinkled in.”
“The story mode feels incredibly unfinished.”
- gameplay1,427 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fast-paced, fluid combat and nostalgic mechanics reminiscent of the Budokai Tenkaichi series. While the game introduces new mechanics that add depth and complexity, some players find the learning curve steep and the balance between characters uneven, leading to frustrations in both single-player and online modes. Overall, the visuals and combat mechanics are celebrated, but issues with tutorials and certain gameplay elements have left some players wanting more.
“Gameplay-wise, it's quite fun and surprisingly deep, with new defensive options and characters that feel more different from each other than in some previous installments.”
“The gameplay is very original even though it still hints at the old games' style.”
“The gameplay genuinely has more depth than almost every other 3-dimensional fighting game out there with all of its available mechanics, and unlike some other games, it provides a wide variety of defensive options rather than being a race to whoever can pull off the best combo first wins.”
“Unclear mechanics and objectives.”
“Great visuals, but absolutely horrendous mechanically, and menus and settings designed by people who have apparently never even seen a video game before.”
“The gameplay can be summed into go sparking mode and then smash square until health bar goes down to 0.”
- graphics994 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Sparking Zero" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and vibrant art style, effectively capturing the essence of the Dragon Ball anime. Many players noted the impressive detail in character models and animations, particularly during special attacks and transformations, which enhance the overall combat experience. However, some users expressed a desire for more customizable graphics settings to accommodate lower-end PCs, as well as occasional performance issues during intense battles.
“The graphics are stunning, capturing the vibrant art style of the anime while delivering smooth animations that bring each battle to life.”
“The graphics are absolutely stunning, which is even more impressive given how little storage it takes up.”
“The graphics, the audio, the characters, the gameplay.”
“Game is the biggest disappointment of the year so far. Once the honeymoon phase was over and I finished the story mode, I realized how the only thing this game does better than the previous Budokai Tenkaichi games are the visuals and animations. Seriously, if you don't want to spend 70 euros on a game with no content and don't care about shiny visuals or online, just download the Budokai Tenkaichi 4 mod; it does everything better than this game and it's totally free.”
“The graphics are 'ok'; the stand-still manga style animation is cool, but it gets ruined a lot by really crappy body and facial/mouth movement that feels like it was done on PS2 at best.”
“The graphics do not justify how badly the story mode was handled. In fact, the story mode should have been more innovative this time around with more characters, maps, and story content.”
- music313 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. However, a significant point of contention is the exclusion of classic anime tracks, which are locked behind expensive DLC packs, leading to frustration among players who feel that these should have been included in the base or ultimate editions. Overall, while the original music is generally well-received, the paywall for beloved tracks has left a sour taste for many fans.
“The soundtrack features energetic, fast-paced music that mirrors the intensity of the fights.”
“The music is amazing, especially with the anime packs.”
“The graphics, animation, soundtrack, and gameplay are top-notch.”
“My biggest complaint is the music of the series being paywalled behind $40 CAD.”
“Having the anime music locked behind a ridiculously priced paywall is utterly disgusting.”
“The only negative thing I have to say is that the game already has DLC ready for you to buy at $15 a piece for the anime music packs despite the game not even officially launching until tomorrow.”
- optimization168 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering, crashes, and frame drops, particularly on PC. While some users report smooth gameplay and good visuals, others highlight the need for further optimization, especially for older hardware and on platforms like the Steam Deck. Overall, there is hope that future patches will improve performance and address the current shortcomings.
“The netcode has been optimized for smoother online matches, ensuring that even the most intense battles can be enjoyed without lag or disconnects.”
“Excellent optimization, smooth gameplay, stunning visuals.”
“The game runs smoothly without sacrificing visual quality.”
“Game is horribly optimized and constantly crashes.”
“This game is hot garbage and terribly optimized.”
“The optimization is very poor.”
- stability103 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 84 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of glitches, control issues, and significant problems in online play, including frequent disconnections and input lag. While some players have noted that the game runs well in offline modes and is enjoyable when functioning properly, the overall experience is marred by persistent bugs and unresponsive controls, leading many to express frustration. Despite these issues, there is hope that future patches will address the most severe problems.
“So much fun, the game runs great and looks fantastic.”
“The graphics are great, it runs great, and it's super fun.”
“Bug free experience so far.”
“The online PvP is buggy, constantly disconnects (no matter how good the connection is), and in the rare matches where I can actually fight other people for the entire duration of a match, the framerate often slows down to an unplayable crawl.”
“Game is very buggy and glitches a lot; scenes distort and pixelate often, button inputs are delayed and unresponsive at times.”
“As of right now, it's a buggy mess.”
- humor83 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny, especially in multiplayer scenarios and character interactions, while others criticize it for relying on clichés and poor design choices. Many enjoy the comedic elements of character quirks and absurd situations, but some aspects, like the poorly executed story mode and AI, are seen as unintentionally hilarious. Overall, the game offers moments of fun and laughter, particularly when played with friends, but it also has frustrating elements that can detract from the experience.
“The training mode is hilarious due to how poorly designed it is.”
“The custom battle mode is hilarious and adds a lot of replay value.”
“Character interactions are well-written, maintaining the humor and heart that the series is known for.”
“This is frustrating and unfunny; I just want to play with my mates, and I can't even for 10 seconds.”
- replayability77 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its extensive character roster, diverse game modes, and customizable battle options, allowing players to experiment with different strategies and scenarios. While the online multiplayer offers infinite replay value, some players find the offline content and story mode lacking in depth, leading to potential repetitiveness after initial completion. Overall, the combination of competitive play, character customization, and branching storylines contributes to a robust replay experience, though some aspects may require further development to maintain long-term engagement.
“Amazing gameplay and quality, and it's got a lot of replayability, though it does have a massive skill ceiling in online.”
“With over 200 characters, each with unique abilities, transformations, and moves, the game offers endless replay value.”
“The depth and variety of modes—ranging from world tournament battles to custom battles that allow players to create and submit their own matchups—make this title one of the most replayable Dragon Ball games to date.”
“The game is clear in about a week if you really dedicate to it, and once you are done, the only replay value is the online and farming dragon balls that can be found only as random loot after finishing offline vs CPU mode, making it very tedious and boring to collect all the dragon balls.”
“Although the episodes are very cool and the what-if scenarios are nice to find and play through, once you finish them, there is basically nothing left to do in the game unless you start grinding the PvP battles. It only took me about 20 hours of thorough gameplay to play through all the stories, and these offer low replayability value.”
“The lack of variety and replayability makes the gameplay feel repetitive and ultimately unsatisfying.”
- grinding72 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 72 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, often requiring extensive effort to unlock characters, complete objectives, and collect items like dragon balls. While some appreciate the nostalgic grind reminiscent of earlier titles, others criticize the lack of clarity in objectives and the repetitive nature of online matches and menu navigation. Overall, players suggest that significant dedication is needed to fully enjoy the game, with some humorously noting that "you'll need a second life for grinding."
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The game is clear in about a week if you really dedicate to it, and once you are done, the only replay value is the online and farming dragon balls that can be found only as random loot after finishing offline vs CPU mode, making it very tedious and boring to collect all the dragon balls.”
“18 hours of grinding down the drain; there is no world where this is acceptable.”
“The story mode felt either tedious or boring: either spend a good chunk of time trial and error hoping my execution is on point the entire time, often resetting in the very end due to a skill issue or abusing the AI.”
- emotional42 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking nostalgia and joy reminiscent of their childhood experiences with the Dragon Ball franchise. Many reviewers express that the game successfully captures the essence of their earlier gaming days, leading to moments of genuine emotional connection, including tears of joy and nostalgia. However, some critiques highlight that while the visuals and fan service are commendable, the story lacks depth and emotional pacing compared to previous installments, leaving a mixed emotional impact overall.
“Zero is a must-play—it’s a heartfelt tribute to the genius who created it all.”
“The story mode is structured to take players through key arcs from 'Dragon Ball Z,' offering cutscenes that not only advance the narrative but also immerse players in the emotional stakes of the characters.”
“This game is not just a game, rather, an extension to the Dragon Ball universe and it is a loss in life to not play this beautiful game, and it is only better if you have already made emotional connections with the shows.”
“It has several problems and it's not good for casual players at all. The story mode is very undercooked, with everyone except Goku having a pretty boring story. This game's story has 'what if?' scenarios that play out if you complete certain objectives. Some of these alternative scenarios can be very luck-dependent. One specific fight in Piccolo's story requires you to take minimal damage, never let Frieza use his ultimate attack, and you're also on a time limit.”
“Boring story; gameplay feels dull and repetitive. Not a game I enjoyed personally. 4/10.”
- monetization35 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 51 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it as a cash grab due to missing content and reliance on nostalgia. However, several users praised the absence of microtransactions, highlighting a generous unlocking system that allows players to earn everything through gameplay. Overall, while some view the game as a disappointing attempt to capitalize on the franchise, others appreciate its consumer-friendly approach and lack of in-game purchases.
“No pay to win, microtransactions, etc. You can unlock literally everything by just playing the game.”
“This much generosity in the base game and no microtransactions is a huge step forward with a game this popular.”
“Monetization wise, the game is very consumer friendly.”
“But I expected better and personally view this as a soulless cash grab. I genuinely feel insulted; this is from someone who's played every Dragon Ball game since Ultimate Battle 22.”
“This game should be the most criticized game of the decade for being a barely fleshed out, untested cash grab.”
“The story modes lack a lot of content, characters don't have enough costumes/cosmetics, and it's disappointing that a lot of needed content will be hidden behind microtransactions.”
- character development10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many players feeling that their favorite characters come across as one-dimensional and fail to resonate emotionally. While the character designs and animations are praised for their quality, the overall narrative and character arcs do not provide the same level of engagement as previous titles in the series.
“It's a fantastic DBZ game, follows the story arcs well, great character design and customization.”
“The character designs are spot-on, capturing the essence of each fighter perfectly.”
“The character intros, map design, soundtrack, character design, and gameplay pace are better than any Dragon Ball game that came before it.”
“Character development is lacking; some of my favorite characters feel one-dimensional and their arcs don’t resonate like they used to.”
“They will be getting and I don't think I am exaggerating when I say this, but less than 4% of the actual story and thus far we have seen zero character development through 3 sagas.”
“And to be clear, DBZ Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and the other two had actual character development, like say Vegeta when he's throwing a hissy fit on the asteroid in the Android saga... here?”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is immersive and engaging, enhanced by sound effects like laser blasts and explosions, which draw players into the experience. While the overall ambiance feels familiar to previous titles, the updated combat system offers a fresh take, though some users find the menu and UI design lacking. The difficulty may initially seem uninviting, but mastering the mechanics can lead to a rewarding gameplay experience.
“What if's are amazing and the atmosphere too.”
“The sound of laser blasts, impacts, and explosions contributes to the immersive atmosphere, ensuring that players are fully engaged in the experience.”
“The game, while incredibly different from the prior games, still gives off a familiar feel and atmosphere, but with an updated and revamped combat system and UI that can certainly provide chances for unique and stylish combat that the prior games lacked.”
“The game has a pretty uninviting atmosphere in terms of difficulty, but all it really takes is learning all the new mechanics to make a difference. Sparking combos and advanced defensive moves make this game really shine once you master the mechanics.”
“The style and sense of atmosphere in menus and UIs is lacking a lot.”
“While the game is incredibly different from the prior titles, it still gives off a familiar feel and atmosphere, but the updated combat system and UI do not fully capture the unique and stylish combat that the previous games had.”
