DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE
- February 26, 2015
- Dimps
- 17h median play time
Dragon Ball Xenoverse allows players to participate in the world of Dragon Ball like never before as they help change the tide of battle. If you enjoy battling it out with your favorite Z fighters then you will enjoy this game.
DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE is an anime fighting game that allows 2-player multiplayer and co-op gameplay. Create and customize your own warrior from 5 races, learn skills from Dragon Ball characters and restore the original story of the series in online and offline adventures. Join over 200 players in the Toki Toki City hub for battles and online tournaments.
Reviews
- story3,671 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of Dragon Ball Xenoverse is a unique twist on the classic Dragon Ball Z narrative, allowing players to create their own character and participate in key battles while correcting time distortions caused by new villains. While the storyline is engaging and offers nostalgic moments for fans, it can feel repetitive due to the reliance on grinding parallel quests for experience and items, and some missions may present frustrating difficulty spikes. Overall, the game provides a fresh take on the beloved franchise, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a deep narrative experience.
“The storyline is enjoyable, allowing you to relive classic moments while also introducing new elements that add depth to the lore.”
“The story follows our create-a-character (CAC), a unique character created to protect the timeline from time distortions.”
“The game's adaptation story is unique as it allows us to experience time distortion issues that should not have occurred due to mysterious enemies in universe mode, providing a fresh experience for long-time Dragon Ball fans and introducing new ones to the story.”
“The balancing is terrible and the story is even worse.”
“The story is just a bit more than an excuse plot, and is essentially a re-writing of the original dbz storyline with your character thrown in - but then again few people play fighting games for the story.”
“The story mode is absolute trash and the online is disabled so.....”
- gameplay853 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Dragon Ball Xenoverse has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its fast-paced combat mechanics and character customization options, which evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for the series. However, criticisms include repetitive gameplay, clunky controls, and frustrating AI, leading to a grind-heavy experience that can detract from overall enjoyment. While the game offers engaging battles and a unique RPG element, it struggles with balance and technical issues, particularly in online modes.
“The combat is fast-paced and exhilarating, with a mix of flashy moves and strategic gameplay that keeps every battle engaging.”
“The gameplay is fast and epic and makes you really feel like the character you picked!”
“The gameplay is fun, fast-paced, and will make you feel like a tank, but there are a few things holding it back from being closer to perfection.”
“The gameplay is so clunky and somehow feels worse than the PS2 games.”
“The fighting mechanics are simple, but they get old very quickly.”
“The gameplay is very repetitive, lacks polish, and the grind can get somewhat boring.”
- graphics556 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of Dragon Ball Xenoverse are widely praised for their vibrant, cel-shaded style that effectively captures the essence of the anime, making the characters and environments visually appealing. While many reviewers note that the graphics remain impressive for a game released nearly a decade ago, some express disappointment that it doesn't fully utilize modern hardware capabilities. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience, despite occasional graphical glitches and limitations.
“Despite being nearly a decade old, the original Xenoverse still boasts graphics that remain impressive today.”
“In essence, the graphics and aesthetics of the game harmoniously blend to enhance both the storyline and gameplay experience.”
“Dragon Ball Xenoverse features stunning graphics that truly capture the look and feel of the anime through its cel-shaded graphics.”
“The game's graphics stay true to the cartoon visuals, though they don't take full advantage of new-generation hardware.”
“The graphics are okay with the game looking a little weird with black outlines on the characters to make it similar to the show and manga.”
“The graphics, art style, stages, controls, and music are all very nice, but it's plagued with some minor issues that can slightly ruin the experience.”
- grinding480 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive. Reviewers note that the reliance on RNG for item and skill drops exacerbates the grind, leading to hours of repetitive gameplay without guaranteed rewards. While some players appreciate the sense of accomplishment that comes from grinding, the overall sentiment is that the game demands far too much grinding, making it less enjoyable for those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“Whether or not the grinding is a detriment to your experience is entirely your opinion.”
“After that, I would say the game is a bit grindy, and it would be nice to have a bit more of an open world in Tokitoki (the main city) instead of being restricted to walking around and having preselected chat until you are in a room where you can voice chat (which is flawless).”
“The game gets really tedious after a while, so many characters in the later story have super armor and constantly just kinda say 'no' to stuns and combos, I would much recommend the second one instead of this.”
“Out of my 260 hours, I spent 180 in one of the most annoying grinds I've known, and I don't even mind grinding, but this is beyond too much.”
“The grinding required to get there is unforgivable.”
- music153 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in Dragon Ball Xenoverse receives mixed reviews, with some praising the catchy and memorable tracks that enhance the gameplay experience, particularly during battles. However, many players criticize the repetitive nature of the soundtrack, especially in hub areas, and note issues with audio mixing and a lack of diversity in the music. Overall, while the soundtrack has standout moments, it often falls short of expectations, leading to a somewhat average reception.
“The game's soundtrack is solid, with a mix of catchy and memorable tracks that add to the overall experience of the game.”
“The soundtrack is amazing (I dare you not to listen to track 03, which is the theme for Frieza, and not love it). The fact I can make my own DBZ character with my favorite moves is fantastic!”
“The music fits perfectly with the show, and the overall atmosphere is enhanced by the stellar soundtrack that makes you feel like you are in the show battling Frieza!”
“However, the first Xenoverse game had some sound issues, including repetitive sound effects, mediocre soundtracks, and an unbalanced mixing volume during fights.”
“The music is so repetitive and more or less not even existent.”
“The music is horribly annoying.”
- replayability107 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as high, with many players appreciating the extensive character customization, parallel quests, and the ability to explore different builds across various races. However, some critiques highlight that the grind for items and skills can feel tedious, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the combination of RPG elements and ongoing content updates contributes to a robust replay value, making it appealing for fans of the genre.
“It has tons of replayability, in my opinion.”
“The semi-open world makes the game feel exponentially larger than the linear progression of previous titles, and the inclusion of side quests (called parallel quests) adds a massive amount of replayability to the game.”
“With its custom character feature, the story mode is replayable through the five races, which should last you at least eight hours per race if you rush through.”
“The game's replay value is significantly diminished by the overwhelming presence of Xenoverse 2 and the numerous gameplay problems it faces.”
“Game was fun for a while, but what they call 'replayability' is just a garbage grind system with the worst RNG I have ever seen.”
“Fun game but lacking content, easily finished in 20 hours or less, 'replayability' is forced on you in the form of random drops for all skills that sometimes seem to take 30+ tries just to get one.”
- stability99 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting a variety of bugs and glitches, particularly in online modes, which can lead to frustrating experiences such as freezing and disconnections. While performance on most PCs is generally good, issues like unresponsive NPCs, imbalanced gameplay, and visual glitches detract from the overall experience. Despite these problems, some players still find the game enjoyable, suggesting that while it has significant stability issues, it remains fun for fans of the franchise.
“In terms of performance, this game runs great.”
“The game runs great with setup right, 1080p+ with a solid 60 fps with no frame loss whatsoever. I wish a game like this would've come out sooner; it honestly surprised me and I would suggest it to any Dragon Ball fan because you get the feeling that you're really a part of the story.”
“I really enjoy the structure of the game loadout, reminds me of a cross between an MMO & RPG. It runs great and the graphics are amazing; you can tell it's built on the next-gen platform.”
“I can't turn on the game; it freezes and I can only close it and try again. Nothing works, and my PC meets the requirements.”
“The multiplayer is laggy, buggy, and crashes a lot. It's way too buggy to play, and I can't recommend buying it until all these issues are fixed.”
“The online servers are a bit buggy and can't handle the amount of people online, so they crash a lot.”
- optimization54 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance at 60fps even on lower-end PCs, minimal visual glitches, and effective graphical settings adjustments. While some players experienced lag and stuttering, these issues appear to be exceptions rather than the norm, and the game is generally considered well-optimized for both single-player and online multiplayer experiences. However, there are some concerns regarding server performance and specific gameplay elements that could benefit from further optimization.
“Overall the game is amazing, the optimization is flawless and I run this game at a constant 60 frames on max settings.”
“The graphics look amazing and the game is very well optimized for the PC, meaning it doesn't take a supercomputer to run this game at max settings.”
“A couple of people got the 'minimum requirements' on 'Can I Run It' and they get the same smoothness as long as they fiddle with the options a bit... so I can safely say, this game is pretty well optimized, if not amazingly so.”
“Lag and stuttering is a constant, or at least it was for me and a few other people I know.”
“I give this game an 8/10 because of the online DRM that's required to play, which doesn't seem optimized well and has gone down a couple of times, rendering the game basically useless while it was down.”
“The big flaws being that PC has its own original issues compared to console, which hinders performance between you and other online players.”
- humor38 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -5 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it funny despite not being fans of the Dragon Ball series. Many highlight the hilarious character customization options, amusing dialogues, and entertaining multiplayer interactions, such as goofy poses and unexpected matchups. While some players note that certain gameplay elements can be frustrating, the overall comedic tone and moments of levity contribute positively to the gaming experience.
“Naming your Frieza race character 'Wintermint' is hilariously satisfying.”
“The poses and animations and canned chat make for some bombastically funny moments in town.”
“In the multiplayer lobby, you can goof around by doing hilarious character poses, like the Ginyu Force poses, or Great Saiyaman's entirely too elaborate poses.”
“The humor in this game falls flat; the random appearance of secret missions feels more frustrating than funny, especially when the drop rates are so low.”
“I thought the humor would lighten the grind, but instead, it just adds to the annoyance of having to repeat dungeons for a chance at a reward.”
“The jokes in the game are overshadowed by the tedious mechanics, making it hard to appreciate any humor when you're stuck grinding for random drops.”
- character development17 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and rewarding nature, particularly through a well-balanced mentor system and item collection that enhances gameplay. While the character designs are generally well-received and offer a variety of customization options, some players feel that the original character designs are lacking. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of the Dragon Ball series, making character development a standout feature.
“Great way of exploring a new character development with all the memorable moments from DBZ.”
“Character development is fun and rewarding; the mentor system is great, the in-game currency is well balanced, item collection is fun. It's just a great Dragon Ball game that's way better than you'd think.”
“In-depth character development and customization.”
“Character design (how you look) is way too limited.”
“I feel like they designed their whole idea for leveling and character development with cooperating and competing with friends in mind, then completely neglected to come up with an optimal combat system for this gameplay.”
“Bad character design for the original characters in the game (hello Kefka, what are you doing in a DBZ game?).”
- emotional16 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed; while some players express nostalgia and joy from engaging with the Dragon Ball universe, others feel disappointed by the lack of a compelling story and character depth. Fans appreciate the immersive experience and emotional connections, but criticisms highlight a sense of detachment and frustration due to poor gameplay mechanics and storytelling. Overall, the game resonates strongly with long-time fans, evoking feelings of excitement and nostalgia, despite its flaws.
“Playing through my favorite sagas from the anime made me feel a sense of excitement I haven't been getting out of a lot of other new games.”
“This game made me feel like the giddy 8-year-old me, that watched the Dragon Ball Z series and tried the 'kamehameha' move when no one was looking.”
“Not only because it’s just simply a DBZ game on PC, but because it really is a heartwarming love letter to fans and a respectably fine-tuned experience.”
“Awful, unimaginative, incredibly boring story - it's trying to make you fix the chaos to make the story how it should've been - you know, actually, a new unique story would be great.”
“All of this piled on top of a boring story makes this one of the worst Dragon Ball games I've played.”
“Bad gameplay, boring story, and poor controls.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its detailed environments and immersive experience, effectively capturing the essence of the Dragon Ball universe. Players appreciate the strategic elements of combat and the chaotic yet rewarding nature of battles, which enhance the overall enjoyment despite some design flaws. The combination of engaging story, soundtrack, and character customization contributes to a captivating atmosphere that keeps players invested for hours.
“The game's environments are detailed and atmospheric, making it easy to get lost in the world of Dragon Ball.”
“The atmosphere and experience do make up for a lot of the flaws and some odd design choices, like slipping in super hard parallel quests in the lower tiers where it seems like the enemies never stop coming.”
“The chaotic atmosphere is pleasing and if you win, you really feel like a victor.”
“In terms of gameplay, the only new thing that I have not experienced before was a 3 vs 3 atmosphere where all players are on the map at once.”
“Large bosses had the atmosphere of a large boss, such as its movement and attacks.”
“As much as I'm aware that grinding and lucky drops are part of any MMO atmosphere.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, particularly in the context of other Dragon Ball Z titles, which are seen as failing to provide quality content. However, players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, expressing relief that the game does not include this common monetization tactic.
“No microtransactions: well, how about that! Thank whatever deity you worship.”
“The game offers a fair monetization model that respects players' time and investment.”
“I appreciate that the developers focus on providing a complete experience without pushing for additional purchases.”
“Just another cash grab DLC Namco game.”
“All other Dragon Ball Z games are a cash grab so huge they fail to deliver a good product.”
“I have to stop the process through Task Manager to close it; otherwise, it's just advertising to everyone suggesting you are crazy about it.”
Critic Reviews
Dragon Ball Xenoverse Review - Wish yourself into the world of Dragon Ball!
Dragon Ball Xenoverse allows players to participate in the world of Dragon Ball like never before as they help change the tide of battle. If you enjoy battling it out with your favorite Z fighters then you will enjoy this game.
80%"Under 9,000" - Dragon Ball Xenoverse Review
Dragon Ball Xenoverse is excellent fan-service and has a ton of potential, which makes it frustrating as hell to see it held back by technical issues and repetitious combat.
65%Dragon Ball Xenoverse Review
Dragon Ball Xenoverse is definitely the best Dragon Ball game in years, though certainly not without its flaws, which shakes up the typical formula and is bound to shape the future of the series.
80%