At a glance...

Reviewer	Platform	Publisher	Developer	Players	Screenshots
Matt Bailey	PlayStation 2	Atari	Dimps	1-2 (Share screen)	Here
Requirements					Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Memory Card					Click here to buy Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 review

It's amazing to think that one of 2002's most successful PlayStation 2 titles was Dragon Ball Z: Budokai. That's not to say the game was very bad or anything, but it was interesting to discover this considering the year is most remembered for the likes of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Pro Evolution Soccer 2, TimeSplitters 2, and Tekken 4. I suppose it does benefit from the licence which, although not carrying universal appeal, certainly makes the game attractive to fans of the cartoon series, and with 3.5million copies sold I suppose a sequel was inevitable.

One of the sequel's biggest changes is to replace the flawed story mode with a new Dragon World mode. It's quite an interesting mode, as it takes place in the style of a board game, and you move your character along in order to pick up items, and progress along the map. You're in control of two characters - the series' hero Goku, as well as a chosen ally - and when you meet enemies on the map, the game's main function as a fighting game comes into play. Apart from making the story mode fun, free, and interactive, it also allows strategy to come into play, as you get some role in deciding who to fight next, although as the main enemy characters also trawl their way across the map, sometimes it's beyond your control.

Those looking for an extra challenge will enjoy the secret Babadi's Spaceship mode with four challenges designed to test your skills. As well as this, the game sports modes from the previous edition, such as Duelling (essentially just a versus-style single fight), Training, Practice, as well as the World Tournament (which is, of course, a tournament mode). There is also the reappearance of Skill Edit, which allows you to completely customise your characters with whatever moves you think they should have. There are 34 characters from across the many Dragon Ball Z series available to get your hands on.

DBZ:B2 may feature a good selection of modes, and a great new Dragon World mode to keep you occupied, but like it's predecessor it is still let down in its core gameplay area; the combat. There are four types of moves - kicking, punching, blocking, and "Ki Energy" - energy beams which can be charged up (or not) and shot at your opponent. However, there are very few combinations to pull off often leaving games to be button-mashing exercises, in an attempt to out-punch your opponent. Having said that, the combinations (and the special moves) are very effective when pulled off, and are certainly worth learning - even if only to make sure the fights are more enjoyable. Interesting is the continued lack of either the ability to jump or duck, and instead your character can fly, but only after launching an opponent. The need to hold block to side-step is also awkward.

There are improvements in gameplay from last year, however, most notably the improved AI, but also amongst more balanced characters, some of the moves for each character feeling more individual (which changes in speed depending on who you play as), and fusion characters - which is where you can 'fuse' the abilities of two different characters into one.

There other major improvement comes in the graphics department. The 3D cel-shaded engine handles the characters and environments (which are also interactive, to an extent) very well, and are a definite improvement over DBZ:B1. There's a range of special effects on offer, including some great light-based attacks, as well as some good character expressions. Apart from being detailed, the characters themselves are well animated, and can make some moves look very impressive once pulled off.

Ratings

Graphics	Looking rather good and a definite improvement over the original. Interactive environments look impressive, and animation shows the moves in great detail.	8/10
Gameplay	It may have better AI, more balanced characters, and an abilty to fuse two chracters together, but you can't draw away from the fact that the core fighting is still rather weak and repetitive.	5/10
Value	Possibly could have done better at a lower price, but at Ł40, it still gives you quite a bit to do for your money.	7/10
Lifespan	If you can see past the gameplay, then you have the intriguing Dragon World mode to check out, as well as plenty of other options that should keep you occupied for some time.	7/10
Audio	The music is pretty good, and the voices are clear, and are greater in number than its predecessor.	7/10
Overall	Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 is an improvement in many areas over the previous title, but still inherits some of its main flaws, particularly in the key area of combat.	6/10

Click here to buy Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 from Amazon.co.uk.

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