Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is almost 9000 in awesomeness

As one of the most influential manga and anime ever created, “Dragon Ball” has, in many ways, contributed to your identity as a geek – especially if you’re the type who revels in over-the-top martial arts action.

Video games have long struggled to capture the utter carnage of “Dragon Ball’s” battles. But we now have machines so powerful they can convince you collections of polygons are actual people. Surely it can’t be that hard to produce faithful recreations of anime fight scenes?

Fighting game/RPG hybrid “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2” certainly tries, and succeeds for the most part. The omni-directional combat is furious, with warriors punching, kicking, and zipping through the air at blinding speeds. Energy blasts smash into enemies with the force of megaton bombs. And the cinematics look as good, if not better that the show itself.

But a near-perfect anime-to-video game translation doesn’t necessarily a great game make. So does “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2” play as marvelously as it looks?

Time after time

After creating a character from one of the game’s 5 races (Saiyan, Earthling, Namekian, Majin, and Frieza Race), you quickly learn that you’re a member of the Time Patrol – an elite unit of time travelers dedicated to ensuring history remains unchanged by punching things really, really hard. Well, bad guys with funny names are on the loose, and they’re wreaking havoc on the “Dragon Ball” timeline. A lot of punching ensues.

It’s no “War and Peace,” but when have “Dragon Ball” plotlines ever been works of literary genius? The story campaign is really nothing more than an excuse to have players participating in many of the series’ most legendary fights. The villains threaten to alter the timeline by interfering in its key battles; your job is to join said battles and make sure their outcomes are consistent with history.

Remember when Vegeta transformed into a Great Ape and almost pounded Goku into a puddle of goo? Rush to the aid of everyone’s favorite Saiyan and beat that monkey blind. Ever wanted to wipe that annoying smirk off Frieza’s face? Now’s your chance, as the diminutive monster will constantly harass you in the Frieza saga. If it’s one of the show’s most memorable brawls, “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2” will make you a part of it. By doing this, the game convinces you that your actions have an impact on the “Dragon Ball” mythos. It also allows you to fulfill any childhood dreams you may have had of fighting alongside your favorite heroes, and sharing in the glory of their greatest triumphs.

But battles are only as good as the combat system. Thankfully, “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2” offers one that boasts surprising hidden depths, not to mention boatloads of options.

Punching solves everything

On the surface, combat in “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2” is not as intricate as a traditional fighter’s. Combos are performed by spamming buttons. You don’t need to do any complex Hadouken-like motions to unleash powerful Super or Ultimate Attacks; by pressing two or three buttons simultaneously, you can let loose a vicious flurry of physical strikes or a devastating surge of energy. Ki blasts, evasive maneuvers, flight, and other moves are all executed using similarly uncomplicated button presses.

This is why it’s easy to pick the game up and start fighting. To become a master of the arena, however, you’ll need not only sound reflexes and precise timing, but a keen understanding of the combat system’s various subtleties, as well. For example, there’s a cancel technique that’ll permit you to extend your attack strings to deal massive damage. And if you’re the one on the receiving end of such a combo, you can escape it by teleporting behind your enemy. Sound knowledge of these mechanics is crucial if you’re to last in any of the toughest battles.

You also have to be mindful of your Ki and stamina – renewable resources that are depleted every time you use offensive and defensive skills. Additionally, situational awareness is paramount, particularly if you’re fighting more than one foe. You can fly in any direction, which is a blast, but so can your enemies – meaning you can be attacked from any angle at any moment.

Then there’s the matter of special abilities, a horde of which you can learn from over two dozen instructors such as Piccolo, Cell, and even Yamcha. Every technique has a specific function; while one will help you with zoning, another might sacrifice damage for the opportunity to torment your targets with crippling debuffs. You can assign these specials to your buttons and switch them out for others any time out of battle.

As the game is technically an RPG, you can raise your stats every time you level up. You can also equip gear that can affect those stats. There’s a crafting system that involves mixing items or equipment to create new ones, so you’ll find yourself with loads of armor, accessories, and consumables to play around with.

Options!

Outside of the story campaign, “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2” provides a host of optional activities for you to enjoy.

The game’s central hub is the enormous Conton City, which is composed of several areas. Each is chockfull of “Dragon Ball” characters such as quest givers, vendors, and civilians who’ll gift you with random items. You can navigate the city on foot, via vehicle, and, eventually, through flight. There are also NPCs that allow fast travel between places.

In specific special locations, supplementary stories play out as you progress through side quests. In the Frieza’s ship area, you’ll be tasked with ingratiating your way into Frieza’s army (by punching faces, of course). In Guru’s House, you’ll defend the planet Namek by gathering Dragon Balls while fending off enemies. Not all side quests are inspired, however; feeding Majin Buu is not even half as exciting as fighting villainy as the superhero Great Saiyaman’s sidekick.

Parallel quests let you replay key missions but with modified rules and objectives. These can be tackled offline or with player-controlled allies online.

Speaking of online, “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2” functions as a light MMO. If you’re logged on, you’ll see other players going about their business in Conton City. You can challenge players to fights, form parties with them, participate in ranked battles, and more.

There are other things to like about “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.” The visuals – with spot-on CG models and fantastic animation – are a treat. The soundtrack, with its eclectic mix of funky and hard-rocking tunes, is a joy.

The game’s far from perfect, though. During battle, the camera can get a little uncooperative, making it difficult to track your enemy or even see what’s going on. The problem is exacerbated when fights occur indoors. Thankfully, such fights are rare.

The combat itself can get repetitive, especially if you don’t plan on taking on high-level online opponents. The tougher the challenges, the more you’ll be encouraged to experiment with various techniques; the less troublesome the opposition, the more you’ll rely on the same tricks over and over again.

Power level

“Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2” is a game that’s heavy on fan service and frenetic, explosive fighting. It looks gorgeous, and sounds gorgeous to boot. It does suffer from a couple of issues, such as an occasionally wonky camera, some boring side quests, combat that can get monotonous, and a story that probably won’t appeal to non-fans.

If you are a fan, you should find no reason to pass this up. But if you count yourself among those who’ve long put this franchise behind them, this game provides enough thrills and nostalgia to reignite your interest in all things “Dragon Ball.” Its awesomeness level is not quite over 9000, but it sure as heck is close. — TJD, GMA News

Rating – 8/10

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One