Back before Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 was conceptualized, the original game was earning a remarkable reputation in the market. People were enjoying it, as they try to experience the intensity of being a Saiyan. And sure enough, Bandai Namco was earning buckets of sales. It's safe to say that the first iteration was a hit -- no doubt about it. As for the sequel, it didn't really make a huge difference. I'm here to explain why.
I won't go ahead and not say that the first installment was also a messed. Remember about the complaints the community has about the quests being boring. Let alone the silly camera angles and mechanics the developers did. However, for the love of Goku and his friends, these issues weren't really of a big deal. Probably for me, but I'm pretty sure some of the fans felt the same way.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 was released. I had this idea that maybe, in one way or another, Bandai has covered the issues common in the first game. Or perhaps, the studio has finally found a way to make it an even better title. You know, one that's worthy of being called a sequel. So yeah, I played it.
For the first few hours after acquiring the digital copy, it felt good. I mean, I kind of like the gameplay. However, in a couple of runs and whatnots, it's starting to make sense to me. That it's actually still the same game as its predecessor. To put it into an idea, here it goes: I wasn't able to tell if there's a huge (or significant) difference between the first and second game.
Of course, I'm not overstating that Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is a complete copy of the original game. There are new things it offered anyway. First is the fact that it lets you start on a new place called the Canton City. And since I'm a die-hard Dragon Ball Z fan, I'm quite familiar with it. This is where things start to avalanche on me.
In the sequel, players will be asked to create their own characters. They can select from a total of five races -- namely, Majin, Earthling, Saiyan, Freiza Race and Namekian. As obvious as it can be, these are still the same races introduced in the first game. But okay, let's give them the benefit of a doubt. After all, the developers can't really do something especially if the canon restricts it. Nonetheless, something tells me that the guys could have done something about it. I don't know; perhaps, blend the races in order to have one.
Moreover, if you look closely, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 still follows the same story path that the original already paved. For instance, both Mira and Towa are still wreaking havoc on the same timeline. Not to mention that I still fought the same dude in the early part -- it's no other than, well, Raditz.
I'm not also saying that second title is bad (absolutely not!). What I'm trying to point here is the evolution. That I wished Bandai could have done something significant -- something that's unique -- to make the sequel far from what the first game is all about. What even burdens me is how similar it actually is. Most, if not all, of the elements are identical to the ones in the original.
Maybe, if I didn't play the original game, my view towards the second installment will be different. I'm not frustrated, honestly. I just kind of expected a bigger picture from a successful company like Bandai Namco.
What are your own thoughts towards Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2? Share to us what you're thinking at the comment section below!
