Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO Unveils New Gameplay and Features
Bandai Namco has recently revealed more exciting content for Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO, treating fans to an extended look at the gameplay through a new video. This extensive showcase delves into the returning features, introduces new mechanics, and unveils a plethora of characters joining the playable roster.
One of the burning questions that arose following the December announcement of Sparking! ZERO at The Game Awards was whether the game would include beam clashes. Fans will be pleased to know that beam clashes will indeed be featured in the game. However, it seems that they will differ from the joystick-spinning struggles witnessed in the last Budokai Tenkaichi games. In this iteration, players will activate the clash meter boost by pressing a button, though it remains uncertain whether it will be based on timed presses or button mashing.
However, this may not be the only form of beam clashes in the game. Producer Jun Furutani referred to a specific exchange between Goku and Vegeta in the showcase as an “Ultimate Blast,” suggesting that normal beams could interact differently.
The Dragon Rush movement style returns, but with a twist—a short dash variant that allows bursts of high-speed movement in any direction. Additionally, Vanishing Assaults have been introduced, functioning similarly to the feature in Dragon Ball FighterZ, enabling players to teleport rapidly and close the gap between themselves and their opponents.
A new gameplay mechanic called “Skill Count” has also been incorporated, with a meter displayed alongside the character’s health and Ki bars. This meter fills up throughout a battle, granting characters the ability to execute unique actions based on the Skill Count. These actions include a Revenge Counter to escape from an opponent’s combo and Super Perception, enabling players to deflect Ki Wave attacks such as the Kamehameha. The showcase also teased a potential return of Max Power mode, although further details were not disclosed.
The visuals in Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO leave a lasting impression, as the animation appears incredibly close to the anime’s art style. From billowing clothing and hair to destructible environments, shimmering Ki blasts, and impressive shading, the game takes full advantage of current-gen hardware, delivering a product that encapsulates the grandeur of the franchise. Producer Jun Furutani expressed his belief that these new features will enhance the battles, making them more reminiscent of the Dragon Ball series and adding a strategic element.
To conclude the presentation, Bandai Namco treated fans to a multi-character trailer featuring Future Trunks, Dypso, Kakunsa, Master Roshi, Nappa, Toppo, Burther, Jeice, Kale, and the confirmation that Super Broly from the Dragon Ball Super era would also make an appearance. The eclectic roster is a deliberate effort to cater to both new and longtime fans, combining classic and DBS characters.
While an official release window for Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO has yet to be announced, fans can expect more trailers to drop in the coming months as the developers continue to prepare and share additional content.
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