UPDATE-Nintendo Switch Verison
I recently got my hands on a review code for the Nintendo Switch version of Dragonball Xenoverse 2 from the friendly folks at Bandai Namco and the game feels right at home on the system. Before the game starts, you’ll be able to get your hands on all the DLC from the Nintendo eShop so if you have plenty of Nintendo eShop points or don’t mind spending a little bit of money, you’ll be able to grab yourself the DLC bundle or one of four Super Packs. Anyway, enough of the extra stuff, let’s get into the game!
Just like the PlayStation 4 version, you’ll start out your adventure for the Time Patrol of fixing history by creating your character from various races, each with different pros and cons. You’ll have to decide which species is best but I always go with the human race, have to represent the humans!
With Nintendo, the conversation will eventually get to the controls and motion controls. During the gameplay, it is recommended by the game to use the dual controller grip and hold a Joy Con controller in each hand to perform certain motion based combo moves. It also states that it might be difficult to perform the correct motion using the Joy Con grip. Most of the motion control motions were pretty simple and shouldn’t really give you issues but the more complex combo moves might give you trouble during the motion controls.
You will need to set the control settings to motion based on the menu and it’s simple enough to change back to another controller method. Some of the Joy Con controls were interesting such as driving vehicles where you needed to tilt the controller to move as well as push certain buttons to brake and perform other driving actions. Other than driving like this, it didn’t feel like the motion based control system was forced too much and if you felt like it, you could use the Pro Controller, which the controls felt very smooth on. Fighting with the Pro Controller felt natural as the control scheme didn’t feel like it was over complicated like fighting games have done it the past. Special attacks and combo attacks were simple to perform and the special attacks could be performed via shoulder button combos (shoulder button and one button)
This version allows you to play Dragonball Xenoverse 2 pretty much anywhere you would like. The controls don’t feel forced like other fighting games that have motion-based controls. It’s these reasons that I’m giving the Nintendo Switch version of Dragonball Xenoverse 2 an 8.5/10. I would like to thanks Bandai Namco for the review code.
SCORE: 8.5/10
PlayStation 4 Version Review
Dragonball Xenoverse 2 was shown at this year’s Electronics and Entertainment Expo by Namco Bandai. Fast-forward from the summer to now and the game is out for everyone to enjoy. Become a member of the Time Patrol to fix history and relive some of the more memorable battles in Dragon Ball Z history.
At the start of your journey, you need to create your character. There are quite a few races of people that you can choose from. You could be an Earthling, Saiyan, or Namekian just to name a few. You can upload your fighter from the first Xenoverse game if you like but you can choose to start from scratch.
One of the additions to Xenoverse 2 is that the hub city of Conton is much bigger than Toki Toki City was in the first game. This allows for much more city interaction and events to occur. It also allows for more characters to be in the city at the same time. Getting around the city is easy with the use of vehicles.
You’ll be able to fly in the city but you need to get your license first. You might think Conton City would be tough to get around in for the size but using the map is pretty easy. You can keep the map onscreen as long as you like. Since there are a lot of icons and things going on in the city, it’s beneficial to keep the map onscreen so you know what you can do and where the next part of the story will take place.
Become a member of the Time Patrol and fix the time anomalies throughout history. That’s your mission in Xenoverse 2 but how you achieve it is up to you. There are familiar characters from the Dragonball Z universe that can teach you their special attacks. When they teach you their moves, you’ll be able to use them in battle. It addition, you can ask one of them to be your teacher for special training. You can also have conversations with your teacher and they will provide you information as well as items, if they find anything.
There are online modes as well as parallel quests. You’ll need to have PlayStation Plus to gain access to online modes like the Time space Delivery and Auto-patrols mode. The modes are available to play but they won’t have online interaction but the game gives you the option to purchase PS+ if you don’t have it already as well as a short trial mode.( 2 days)
Items found, won in battle, or bought will be able to help toughen up your character for battle. The game has an RPG element to it in terms of leveling up through battles and what items/tools you equip to your fighter. Different clothing and tools do different things to your stats so try different combos to find the perfect set-up.
For any fighting game you get to a point where you have your favorite attacks and those are the only ones you use. Xenoverse 2 is no different as I found myself using the same attacks over and over again because those worked best. Also during fights I found the camera angles to not be great.
Trying to lock on an enemy was tough at times and getting to see where I needed to attack was a pain too. The camera would become an enemy when fighting larger enemies because you would get stuck underneath them and not able to get away when an attack was coming because of the camera. Attack controls are easy to pick up but it felt like I was spamming attacks most of the time in battle.
Parallel Quests allow you to jump into Dragonball Z history and relive historic battles. The twist is that you can bring different fighters into these quests and complete different tasks for rewards. You might be able to get that item you need by completing that tough Parallel Quest.
Dragonball Xenoverse 2 brings even more to the fan base than the first game did. Relive some of the most iconic battles by joining the Time Patrol! Fix the past to restore time. I’m giving Dragonball Xenoverse 2 for the PlayStation 4 an 8.5/10.
I would like to thank Bandai Namco for the review code!