Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2

"Budokai 2 far surpasses the Original."

I will say off the bat I am a big fan of DBZ but I will try my hardest to remain un-biased as humanly possible during my review of this game. If I was biased I would of easily given this game a 9.5. But enough about all of that... You're here for the review right? Of course you are!!!

First I'll just give a basic run down of the game. While similar in many ways to the previous Budokai, this installment in the DBZ universe is different in just as many ways. Besides the obvious new Cel shading graphics there is a host of new characters to play with in addition to (most) the previous Budokai roster. The special ''beam'' attacks, such as Kamehameha have also gotten a upgrade in looks and total effect. Story mode in the sense of following the Anime is gone to a certain extent and replaced with Dragon World. I'll go into depth a little later on as to the workings of Dragon World.

The skill Shop has also been re-done and makes it a tad bit easier to buy capsules that you want to buy. Instead of giving only one choice per type of capsule you are given 3 choices for each type. Example: Upon entering the shop my first time I had the option to buy Super Saiyan, Kamehameha, Destructive wave for ability capsules. You also have the good old random capsule purchase as well for a shocking 5k zenie. How do you get money? You can always check out the world tournament mode! Which by the way can be played with more than one player now! Also while in Dragon World you will ocassionally run into some extra cash lying around on the ground. There is also a unlockable mode called Babadi's space ship. By completing mini-games you earn points which are used to unlock other characters and capsules. I'm not telling who and what though =P

In addition to all of this the training mode has also been redone to teach first time players the basic workings of the game. And there is still the practice mode to try out combos and special moves. Now onto the part that really counts here... the score break down!!

If you have previous Budokai 1 data you can transfer that data to Budokai 2. Well, in a sense you can. Judging from your % completed of Budokai 1 you get a few capsules to start you out in Budokai 2. I originally said I was not going to do that, however, after going ahead and doing it I'm glad I did. You don't get much from the transfer, just a little bit to set you on your way. I think it was like 12 or so capsules and you get Gohan at the start.

Graphics: 9/10
-PROS: Why a 9?! you ask? Well yes games like Soul Calibur and Tekken are more realistic and detailed, however, this is a game based off an anime. The way the characters look in this game are about as close as we will get to actually playing the anime. They look stunning! Every character from Budokai 1 has been given an appearance overhaul. The choice to use Cell shading graphics in this game was a brilliant choice. The characters look near exactly how they do in the Anime. And also as I said before The ''beam'' effects as well as the backgrounds have all been given a new facelift as well.

CONS: I would of given a 10 on graphics if the backgrounds had been a little more detailed. Maybe it's just me, and I'm picky but to me Dimps could of spent a little extra time on the backgrounds in the game.

Sound: 8/10
PROS: Every grunt, groan, and scream can be heard with perfect precision. The game of course has the voices of the FUNI actors who do the dub's for english episodes. Not to mention the sounds of explosions and such too.

CONS: If you thought Mr. Popo was annoying just wait to you play this game. Bulma says the same thing EVERY time you leave the shop. So in the case you are looking for one paritcular capsule and you keep having to leave and re enter... It gets old after about the fifth time you leave. And yet again, for whatever reason, FUNI decided for Cell not to have his perfect form voice. That kind of brings down the experience of playing as Cell.

Gameplay: 8/10
PROS: Some nice new additions to the fighting system have been made. There are some moves which after done, require you to press a button and your opponent as well. If you press the same button then your opponent is able to dodge the last hit of the attack. If you press different buttons your attack succeeds fully and extra damage is done. Also for some moves such as the Spirit Bomb, you have to rotate the analog sticks to gather power. If you fill the bar completely the move will be bigger and do more damage. And still some other moves like the Super Spirit Bomb engage you and your opponent in a power struggle. It works like a tug of war if you gather more power than your opponent the move does more damage. If the opponent gathers more power, the move will still hit them, just not as hard.

While using the same combo system, Dimps has managed to squeeze more combos into the game to allow for more customization. Pressing forward or back during a combo will likely bring about a new attack unlike Budokai 1 where it seemed just about every body had the same exact combos.

And while I would of preferred a Story mode that covered from the beginning of DBZ to the end, the Dragon World mode is not as bad as many make it out to be. Basically you take turns with the AI moving around a game board. If you land on the same space a fight ensues. It does Semi follow the DBZ story, but some things are out of place. Example: In the first stage Nappa and Raditz come to earth, you don't fight Vegeta until you go to Namek. While the main objective in most boards is to defeat a certain opponent, you also have the oppurtunity to search for Dragonballs used to make a wish at the end of Dragon World. For every opponent defeated you get a capsule of sorts, sometimes even 2 or 3. And playing battles using certain characters will unlock new ones. Example: Beating Nappa with Vegeta will unlock Nappa. It usually depends on characters that are associated with each other in the Anime (The instruction book itself tells the Vegeta vs Nappa gets you Nappa, so it's not a spoiler).

CONS: Many, many people have a problem with the current combo system and ''recycled moves''. Things are no different in this one. Shared moves are all over the place. It would be one thing if Goku, Gohan, and Goten shared moves. But people like Frieza and Dabura have the same throw. This is unacceptable. I can only hope Dimps puts forth an effort to fix this for the next game.

And still no Build up mode?! I think many wanted this more than anything. Following the design of the ever famous Dragonball GT Final Bout, a build up mode would increase the replay value a thousand times over. And quite frankly, DBZ is all about training and improving. Something needs to be put in.

Fun Factor: 8/10
PROS: If you are a DBZ fan, you'll love the game. It's the best fighter released under the DBZ name yet.

CONS: If you're not a fan of the series, you will probably quickly put this game down and go back to Virtua Fighter or something.

Taking 4 hours to complete the Dragon World and make a wish means it will take a very long time to get absolutely everything in the game. I enjoy a challenge, BUT... you should of been able to call the Dragon as soon as you collect all 7 Dragonballs.

Replay ability: 8/10
PROS: As stated above, it's going to take awhile to do everything. Those determined should get good replay value out of this title. I've completed Dragon World twice, working on a third, done about 5 tournaments and I only have 56% of the capsules.

CONS: Again... this might be TOO much work for some people.

Overall: 8/10

Final Words--
If you like DBZ, and Budokai 1, go spend the $50. You will not regret it. If you did not like Budokai, then go give it a rent at the very least. Fans of neither, I would suggest giving it a rent also but I will almost guarantee this will not be a game for you.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/05/03