Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, Doragon Bōru Zetto Kakarotto is a semi open world action role-playing game developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, based on the Dragon Ball franchise, released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It was released on January 17, 2020. The game received generally mixed to positive reviews upon release, and has sold over 2 million copies worldwide as of March 2020.

Gameplay

This game follows the main protagonist Goku and the Z-Fighters. Unlike most of the games in the franchise, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is both a role playing game and a fighting game. The player can do more than just battle their opponents, like fishing, collect Z orbs, eating, drive around with their hover Car, training and putting characters in soul emblems as if the player is part of the surrounding Dragon Ball world. The game follows the progression of Dragon Ball Z, while the player interacts with the surrounding world as the different playable characters. This allows the player to explore the world, complete side quests, and progress the story.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot currently follows the main story of the Dragon Ball Z series, with some new added moments. The game is broken up into four storylines, beginning with the first chapter known as the Saiyan Saga, followed by the Namek Saga, continued with the Android Saga, where the player acquires their hover car and concluding with the Buu Saga. While following the story the player is also able to interact with the surrounding worlds, level up their character, and complete side missions. Through DLC, players are able to access other sagas. Currently available is a retelling of the Battle of Gods Saga and the Resurrection ‘F’ Saga from Dragon Ball Super. A third DLC saga based on Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks will be released in Summer 2021.

There are currently seven playable characters in Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot that the player will guide throughout the story. These include Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, Future Trunks, Gotenks, and Vegito. As the player progresses through the game, they will unlock new characters to play.

In addition to the playable characters, the player will be able to select two supporting characters to aid in their battle each with their own special moves. These current characters include Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiatzou, Android 18, Goten, and Kid Trunks.

The bosses that appear in-game include Raditz, Nappa, Vegeta, Cui, Dodoria, Zarbon, Ginyu Force, Frieza, Android 19, Android 20, Android 18, Android 17, Cell, Cell Jr., Pui Pui, Yakon, Dabura, Majin Vegeta, Majin Buu, Super Buu, Kid Buu, and Mira. Bonyū (ボニュー), an original character designed by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama for the game, also appears as a boss.

Downloadable content

In April 2020, Bandai Namco Entertainment announced the first DLC for the game titled A New Power Awakens – Part 1, with a scheduled release date of April 28. It follows Goku in his adventures after Dragon Ball Z and introduces characters and storylines from Dragon Ball Super. This allows the player to play as Goku and Vegeta in their Super Saiyan God transformations. Its second DLC titled A New Power Awakens Part 2 , allows the player play as Goku and Vegeta in their Super Saiyan Blue transformations and includes original content that lets players battle 1000 enemies and Golden Frieza just like in the Resurrection ‘F’ Saga. This DLC must be bought with a Season Pass.

A free update was released on the October 27, 2020, giving us Dragon Ball Card Warriors. An online card battle game that allows you to play cards battles with people around the world. There will be a monthly event on the new card game.

A new story arc was announced to be released in Summer 2021. The story arc will be based on Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks.

Reception

Kakarot received “fairly positive” reception. Metacritic awarded the game with scores of 73 for the PC version, 73 for PlayStation 4, and 73 for Xbox One. IGN‘s Michael Saltzman gave Kakarot a score of 7, praising its combat and story presentation, but criticized its poor RPG elements.

Kakarot was awarded 7/10 in GameSpot‘s review, with Heidi Kemps saying that its “modern, semi-open approach to telling the saga of DBZ – despite some minor issues – is a good one.” Kemps concluded that “f you’re looking for an enjoyable way to see the life and times of adult Goku through a new perspective, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot will grant your wish.”

The game was the second best-selling game during its first week on sale in Japan, with 89,537 copies being sold, behind Yakuza: Like a Dragon. In the United Kingdom, Kakarot debuted at number one on the sales chart.

In a conference call, Bandai Namco revealed that the game sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide in its first week release, rendering it a commercial success. As of March 2020, the game has sold over 2 million copies worldwide, combining total shipments and digital sales.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot was the best-selling game of January 2020 in the United States, and became the third highest-selling game in the Dragon Ball franchise, behind Dragon Ball FighterZ and Dragon Ball Z: Budokai.