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Dragon Ball, a global phenomenon and childhood favorite for many, has spawned countless video games. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot stands out, promising a vast semi-open world and an action RPG experience that relives the iconic saga. Does it live up to the hype?

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – Goku powering up

A Faithful Retelling of a Legendary Saga

While numerous games have retold the Dragon Ball Z story, Kakarot sets itself apart with its meticulous attention to detail. Developed by CyberConnect2, known for their work on the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja series, the game faithfully recreates the Saiyan, Frieza, Android, and Buu sagas.

Playing as Goku and his allies, players experience key moments through meticulously crafted cutscenes and dialogue. The game captures the characters’ personalities and emotional depth, staying true to the source material. Even newcomers to the Dragon Ball universe can easily grasp the narrative and connect with the characters.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – Young Goku

Beyond the main storyline, Kakarot offers a wealth of lore and backstory. Collectible information snippets and flashbacks to the original Dragon Ball series enrich the experience, providing deeper insights into the characters and the world. A comprehensive in-game encyclopedia compiles these discoveries, creating a valuable resource for fans. This dedication to detail ensures that the legacy of the legendary Saiyan, Kakarot, continues to resonate with new generations.

Exhilarating Combat with a Few Flaws

Kakarot delivers the high-octane combat that Dragon Ball Z fans crave. Similar to other anime-inspired action games, the combat system revolves around basic attacks, special moves, and defensive maneuvers. The 3D arena allows for free-flowing movement and environmental destruction, enhancing the dynamic battles.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – Combat Scene

The challenge lies in precise timing and strategic execution. The robust blocking mechanic makes enemies cautious, often forcing players to adapt their tactics. However, the game falters in scenarios with overwhelming odds. The targeting system struggles in group battles, leaving players vulnerable to off-screen attacks. While allies are present, they don’t draw enemy fire, leading to frustrating “ganging up” situations. This inconsistency creates uneven difficulty spikes, sometimes making random encounters more challenging than boss fights.

Facing multiple opponents can be challenging

Despite these shortcomings, Kakarot’s combat remains engaging. The visually stunning special moves and the sheer satisfaction of landing a powerful blow maintain the excitement.

Underwhelming RPG Elements

Ironically, the RPG elements, heavily touted by Bandai Namco, are Kakarot’s weakest aspect. While characters have levels, experience points, stats, and skill trees, their impact feels minimal. The generous experience gains from story missions negate the need for grinding, and the stat boosts from cooking and vehicle use are negligible.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – Exploring the world

The Soul Emblem system, designed for skill upgrades, offers little tangible benefit. Damage output primarily depends on character level, rendering skill upgrades mostly cosmetic. The limited impact of these mechanics raises questions about the purpose of the semi-open world and the RPG mechanics themselves.

Conclusion

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot offers a nostalgic and visually stunning journey through the beloved saga. The faithful storytelling and exhilarating combat will undoubtedly satisfy fans. However, the underdeveloped RPG elements and flawed targeting system hold the game back from reaching its full potential. While Kakarot successfully captures the spirit of Dragon Ball Z, it ultimately delivers a somewhat uneven experience.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – In-game scene

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot – Fighting Frieza