The Dragon Ball franchise still is one of the most popular animes that has been turned into many different games spread across a variety different platforms. Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 for the PlayStation 3, is developed by Spike and published by Namco Bandai, improves on its predecessor while still adding new additions to create another quality Dragon Ball title. The game, like most Dragon Ball games, is a 3D fighter that allows players to play as characters within the Dragon Ball universe, either against the computer or another player in one of the diverse modes of play both on and offline. With Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2, Spike has attempted to compose an encyclopedic game to a series that spans across over 400 episodes completely catering to hardcore Dragon Ball fans. The question though, is the game great enough to allure those fighting game fans not passionate towards the Dragon Ball sagas?
In Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2, all the major characters are in attendance, but very little story is even done to explain their affairs or why they are even there. The game has neither story nor a narrative; odd considering it’s basically a fan service to followers of the series. Cutscenes are also missing completely from the game which also seems very strange because they don’t explain the fights or rivalries. The only information is inside the thorough encyclopedia to keep people up to par with histories of each of the characters. Galaxy mode is not really a story mode since it doesn’t tell you anything. It’s a series of challenges for each character that recreate various fights that occurred on the show. Even those some of the challenges were fights that were in the show, many of them aren’t, and you can’t even tell because there are no cutscenes to explain anything. Each of the 40 or so combatants has about eight challenges which provide no context at all for a new person to the series. It’s pretty disappointing.
Although the lack of a story and cutscenes are a bummer, there is a lot of good left from Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2. Artwork, character biographies, voiceovers and even special episodes of the anime are unlockables. Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 serves up as much bonus content as any fan could possibly want. This is very impressive that they would put so many bonuses content in a game; definitely part of the fan service to loyal devotees. Raging Blast 2, as you would think, has an enormous variety of moves and techniques that may encumber you at first, but after some play, it becomes second nature. All the characters are loaded with fighting moves and techniques that beautifully reflect the fast paced action seen from the show. The battles take place on land or in the air and span across many different environments seen from the anime. Although there are tons of moves, each fighter is basically identical which was probably because of balancing issues.
The graphics are identical to the show, except now it’s in High-Def! Each character animation feels as though you’re watching an episode of Dragon Ball. The camera system swoops and spins around, and looks superb during ultimate attacks. The graphics in Raging Blast 2 really enhances the experience of the game, making it feel just right. The sound, just as the graphics are a direct replica of the anime. Characters are fully voiced by original voice actors; all the sound effects imitate the show exactly. The soundtrack seems new but feels right at home.
Overall, the game is a great game for Dragon Ball fans, but the problem is that the game does not do enough to bring in newcomers to the Dragon Ball universe. It is not a fighting game to attract fans of the Street Fighters and Tekkens of the genre. The lack of an actual story mode isn’t going to help either. For a Dragon Ball fan that knows the story, it is worth the admission price just for the bonuses you can collect.
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Buy Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 online from EBGames.com for the PlayStation 3
Click here to buy Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 for the PlayStation 3 online from EBGames.com
