Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

IT LOOKS LIKE THE BEST IS NOT QUITE GOOD ENOUGH.

- ADAM BRYANT

Turning Dragon Ball Z into a full-blown RPG seems like an obvious fit for the franchise. You’ve got characters who spend most of their time training to get stronger, they help out those in need and they go on amazing adventures. Yet for years all we’ve had is fighting game after fighting game. Granted, there’s plenty of scraps to be had in a story involving the world’s best martial artists, but until Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot no game has scratched the itch of feeling like you’re really playing through the DBZ story.

Cyberconnect2 already has experience with anime brawlers and over-the-top action, with its Naruto Ultimate Ninja series and Asura’s Wrath, but it was important for the team to get every RPG aspect right. Sadly, it seems we’ll still be looking for that sweet role-playing salve, as the studio didn’t so much as drop the ball as it took a superpowered run-up and chucked the thing into a lake.

Kakarot is a semi open-world single-player RPG that follows the adventures of all-round good guy and Earth’s number one fighter, Goku. Alongside him stands his faithful companions, these ‘Z Warriors’ fight to protect the universe from the powers of evil. The game covers the whole ‘Z’ storyline, which includes the Saiyan, Frieza, Cell and Majin Buu Sagas. Throughout the story you’ll explore the world, develop characters and go up against the universe’s biggest and baddest in huge, spectacular battles in order to save the day.

You don’t always play as Goku, though. At various points throughout the story you’re in control of many fan favourites, such as Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta and more. Some of the other characters often join your party to support and assist you in combat.