Dragon Ball Z: Budokai

"A step up, just not a big enough step..."

Introduction
Let me start off by saying I have unlocked all the capsules, characters, dragon balls, and modes. Even though I'm new to this site, don't base your opinion of my review solely on my karma. I will do my best to inform fairly and accurately about Budokai.

Graphics
These are very similar to Final Bout, but less polygonal and more refined, which is a great plus. However, they are still underpar in comparison to other fighting games on the PS2 (Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance, Dead or Alive) I am looking forward to the day when these graphics are as pretty as the cutscenes in Final Fantasy 10. There are a few minor glitches during combat, but I have not noticed anything major to make note of. I'd say they're acceptable, but nothing special. I gave this section a 5/10

Sound Effects Music
By far, I find this section to be the hardest section to write something good about in this review. We'll start with the voiceovers: Goku, Vegeta, Picolo, and Gohan sound nearly dead on; the rest sound awful (especially Nappa) It seems as though they really thought no one would notice the horrible acting here, bit it sticks out like a sore thumb that just got slammed in a door...ouch. I think the music is okay, but it really does get old after a long time of playing the game. By far, the most annoying thing in this area you'll hear will be Mr. Popo saying ''Can I help you?'' ''Is that all'' ''Are you sure'' and ''Very good then'' I took a whole point off for having to hear this said like a million times. Lastly, I really wish the explosions would be louder, and more fierce; for example, whenn vegeta does the final flash and the sound that ensues when it hits sounds like firecracker, it's a little dissappointing. I gave this section a 4/10

Gameplay
I broke this into 3 different sections: combat vs players, combat vs computer, and combat system.
Combat vs Players: Combat here is what makes this game fun. Nothing is greater than beating one of your buddies and then mocking him like a mentally retarded jackal on laughing gas. I think this is great also because it is more balanced with speed and reflexes rather than Superior A.I. I do however believe that it can be rather lackluster, and most of the time, the opposing player can nullify a character merely by holding the block button and countering. For this reason, I gave it a 6/10
Combat vs Computer: Combat here is rather dull, and will wear on you quickly. In world tournament mode, the computers will always avoid real combat and instead try and ring-out you (this will severely enrage you to the point of self destructing like Chaotzu)Also, it seems they have some kind of adrenaline rush in the A.I, because sometimes they will be losing with dramatic odds (example: you have full health, 3 hits kills comp, comp wins)and suddenly turn on the burners and make you scream for your mother. i plead with anyone who plays the game; avoid this combat as much as possible, just unlock everyone's stuff and never play solo again. I gave this section a 4/10
Combat System: Wow.....almost nothing changed from Final Bout here. The controls are still semi-stiff, and reaction time seems a little delayed. There is a serious lack of moves, which really annoys me. i find it upsetting that Infrogames though the players would not notice that a lot of the moves are exactly the same, just with different names. (ex: meteor smash=continous kamehameha) It seems to me giving a character 7 moves is a pathetic amount compared to games like MK:DA, VF4, or Tekken4. One can't expect a high replay value due to this lack of moves. to make things worse, the sub characters have less moves than the main ones. Not that anyone would want to play as Didoria, but giving him 1 special move is uncalled for, where Goku has 8. The lack of attention paid to the subcharacters moves takes away a lot in my rating. Yet even worse though, the lack of moves needed to win is next to nothing. You can honestly win matches using 1 combo the entire battle, and that really takes the whole strategy of the fighting. However, the absolute most unacceptable fact about this combat system is that it is way too slow. DBZ is fast paced and action packed, and I don't get that type of excitement when I play this game. Sluggish sidestepping, crawl paced walking, the inabilty to fly by choice or duck to dodge attacks; these are key elements to a good combat system, and they are all missing in Budokai. While DBZ games are notorious for reaking, the lack of effort into changing the sub-par combat system over the years is atrocious. If there is another DBZ game released, I expect to see a completely reformatted battle system, because this style is played out.I gave this section a 3/10

Replay Value
This game is pretty fun, but only if you play it with freinds. it will, however, grow repetitive and tedious fairly quick. I would say this game would provide at MOST, 1 month of casual gaming enjoyment. If you play it every day, reduce that down to maybe 3 weeks. There are a few reasons why it will get old quick. A lack of moves, a lack of variety in the moves, the lack of combos actually used/needed to win, and the lack of fun you'll have after every match, as it decreases quickly. I gave this section a 5/10

Miscellaneous
The game does have a few modes to keep you interested. the story mode, which follows the T.V series perfectly, but adds in extra scenarios for fun (Cellin is great fun :-P)World tournament: this mode reaks, but you have to play it to get money and stuff; it will frustrate you. Duel; the best part of the game, play against a comp or a freind and test your skills, a great place to practice. Then there's Hercules mode; pointless? yes. fun? kinda. There isn't a lot to do in this game, but hey, it's a fighting game, what do you want.I gave this a 6/10

Final Comments
This game is a must buy for die-hard fans who sold their souls to DBZ the first time they watched the show. However, for other gamers, this is a fighting game that cannot compete with other fighters out in stores. I would not suggest a purchase;50$ is a highway robbery for the game. Renting the game is recommended because a) you will be able to complete the game within 5 days and b) you will get all there is out of it within 5 days and probaly lose interest in it as well. I am pleased this game actually is making progress however, and I think either 1 or 2 more DBZ games, and we gamers will finally have a DBZ game worthy of respect. I hope this review was informative and helpful. To summarize my review:
Graphics: average, but improved, still need work
SFX/music: horrendous...large downfall in the game
Combat: short and for for awhile, but will grow repetitive and boring, very small variety of moves among chars, boring slow combat engine
Replay: rent this game for 5-10 days of fun, then return this game and rent a new one
Overall: rent, don't buy. improvements from Final bout, makes the though of Budokai 2 look promising

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 12/13/02, Updated 12/13/02