DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO delivers a visually stunning and nostalgically rich fighting experience reminiscent of the Budokai Tenkaichi series, boasting a massive roster of over 180 characters and dynamic combat mechanics. Players appreciate its fun gameplay, especially offline or with friends, and the faithful representation of Dragon Ball's iconic battles. However, the game is held back by a lack of substantial single-player content, with story mode reduced to slideshow-style cutscenes and limited What-If scenarios that feel shallow.

Online multiplayer is plagued by matchmaking issues, imbalance favoring a handful of characters, and a toxic player base, detracting from its competitive appeal. DLC offerings are criticized for being sparse, overpriced, and lacking meaningful additions like new maps or gameplay features. Despite its strong foundation and visual fidelity, many feel the game was rushed or neglected post-launch, leaving it feeling incomplete and repetitive over time.

Highlights

Players praise the game's impressive graphics and cinematic fight animations that capture the Dragon Ball aesthetic. The combat mechanics are regarded as fun and faithful to the Tenkaichi legacy, with unique animations per character and satisfying combos. The vast character roster offers extensive variety, appealing to fans of all Dragon Ball eras. Story mode, while minimal, includes some interesting What-If scenarios, and Custom Battle mode allows creative match setups. Offline and local multiplayer modes provide enjoyable experiences, especially among friends, and the game successfully evokes nostalgia for longtime fans.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the lack of meaningful single-player content, with story mode described as a slideshow lacking depth and immersion. The online multiplayer suffers from poor matchmaking, lag, and imbalance, with a small competitive roster dominated by overpowered characters. DLC is seen as a cash grab with minimal content, no new maps, and repetitive character additions. The user interface and menus are considered clunky and slow, with frustrating unskippable cutscenes. Additionally, the game lacks customization options, crossplay, and suffers from occasional bugs and input issues, leading to a repetitive and sometimes frustrating experience.