Games for Lunch: Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit
In a nutshell: Defeat the universe's most powerful fighters with a single button.
11/24/2008 8:47 PM | 0 Comments | Page 1 of 3
Developer: Dimps
Publisher: Atari
Release Date: June 10, 2008
Systems: PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360
ESRB Rating: T
Official Web site
0:00 In high school, I watched this iconic anime up through the Frieza Saga. Then, in college, I watched my roommate play a truly awful-looking fighting game based in the same universe. Have things gotten any better in the intervening years? Let's find out!
0:01 The
Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit preview screen plays this endearing, aggressively metal instrumental ballad in a 15-second loop. IT'S BURROWING INTO MY BRAIN!
0:02 After roughly a bazillion logos slowly scroll by, the same metal theme comes in, this time with a Japanese singer and close-ups of some of the major characters powering up in a sepia tone. Cut to the title over a desert planet, then back to scenes from the game. They've done a good job of making 3-D characters that look a lot like they are drawn anime characters. The art style is very strong.
0:03 If you're not familiar with "Dragon Ball Z," this random montage of characters fighting and glowing and exploding and such is going to be incredibly confusing. Then again, if you aren't familiar with "Dragon Ball Z," why in the world did you pick up this game?
0:04 I love the way "MAIN MENU" is displayed in huge red capital letters on the menu. EXTREME! The music has transitioned from metal ballad to bluesy jazz riff.
0:06 After tinkering with the menus, it's off to the Tutorial to "Learn fundamental battle moves." "Okay, let's begin, Gohan," says the tall, green, gruff-voiced Piccolo. "The Saiyans are gonna be here soon." Then he compliments Gohan on his outfit. Er ... OK.
0:08 "This is the health gauge. You'll win a battle by attacking the enemy until his health is completely gone." So this is going to be one of those pedantic, explain-every-little-thing tutorials, eh?
0:09 Wow ... the first tutorial ends with a five-second "CLEAR!" message, a loading screen for the menu, an autosave and then more loading for the next tutorial. Unbelievably bad design there.
0:12 "Delivering a series of attacks is called a Combination." It's also called mashing the triangle and square buttons a lot.
0:13 I do like the way the attacks seems to have some real impact behind them. Each connection is accompanied by a loud crack and a far-flying opponent. I'd expect nothing less from the DBZ universe.
0:16 Pushing block just as the opponent's attack is about to hit does a dodge. Reminds me of the show, where characters could throw fast punches for 15 minutes without landing a single blow sometimes.
0:18 Everyone has projectiles in the form of "Ki blasts." Blocking at the right time bounces them back at each other. Hooray for ping-pong!
0:19 Piccolo declares that I now know the basics. Suddenly, the noonday sun goes dark. "Shenron. Well, I guess Goku WILL be returning soon," says an ominous Piccolo. I am so confused...
0:20 Bald-headed Krillin and his annoyingly high voice are training me now. We're "visualizing" the terrain on Planet Namek for some reason. Oh, also, I can throw people.
