"LaoED's DBZ: BT3 Review"

Introduction- The third game in the DBZ: Budokai Tenkaichi series

Gameplay- I admit, when I first saw some videos of the gameplay they looked the same, but get the game for yourself to see, the controls are the same but, different gameplay elements now. Things such as rolling hammer, etc are now different on certain characters. The gameplay is quite addicting, though the new elements, Z counters, are kind of hard to do, you need practice with timing if you want to master it, but others like sonic sway are easy and quite addicting. Overall, it is very fun to try it out. The only real problems you'll have is the auto taunting which leaves you open, and auto lock-on(not that much a problem, unless you like to hide from your opponent).

Story- It is short but hey, if you know DBZ from the back of your head then theres no point in complaining right? Unless you are a fanboy who is never satisfied.. >_> It has most of the important fights from the series, though it skipped some other important ones as well. You could probably beat it within 3 hours.

Graphics/Sound- Same sort of graphics as the second, but it does have better effects, especially the dramatic transformation sequences, the sound is overall good, using moves can be really blow your mind away. It has some more nice stages such as, Central City, though they call it King's Castle. I don't bother for the translations, Muscle Tower(personal fav), and of course the finally in the Big DBZ games, Janemba's Hell.

Play Time/Replayability - It takes about no longer than 3 days to beat the game, since most of the characters are unlocked from the start, customization is improved, you buy an item, it stays bought, no more amounts needed. Tournaments are unique, you come in a certain time,a certain tournament is open, the free mode is optional with all the tournaments open, but you do not win anything other than sheer pride of owning everyone. The Z point system is good, though sometimes you want to miss the old fashioned zeni. With 3 custom setups per character, its worth using all the items of your choice this time instead of the old "max out stats" perfection setup.

Final Recommendation- IF your a DBZ fan you should get it, enough said. But if you are not, and like fighting games of ANY kind, try it out sometime, maybe rent it first. I really like this game, at first I was going to give it a 7/10, but I thought it over in this review.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/26/07

Game Release: Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 (US, 11/13/07)