Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
Publisher:
Bandai Namco
Developer:
CyberConnect2
Platforms:
PS4, Xbox One, PC
Genre:Action RPG
Release Date:January 17, 2020
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an open world action role playing game developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco.
Development
Bandai Namco unveiled the game as Project Z, an action RPG set in the Dragon Ball universe that would call back to the original manga and anime. The game was originally set to come out toward the end of 2019.
In June 2019, Bandai Namco fully unveiled the game as Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and confirmed that it had been delayed to early 2020. The game is confirmed to run at a 4K resolution on both PS4 Pro and Xbox One X. Bandai Namco have also confirmed that a Switch version of the title is not planned.
Story
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot will adapt the full story told in the Dragon Ball Z anime, adapting the Saiyan arc, Vegeta, Ginyu Force, Frieza, Cell and the Androids, and Majin Buu. In addition to the complete adaptation, the game will also introduce many new story elements of its own. For instance, some side quests will have stories that introduce non-canonical elements. Meanwhile, the game is also confirmed to have backstories for characters that were not included in the original manga.
The game will also see Goku interacting with various characters in the Dragon Ball Z arcs, such as the pre-Saiyan Saga characters, many of whom will have new stories and dedicated side-quests of their own.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot also features an original new character, created by series creator Akira Toriyama. The character’s name is Bonyu, and she is a former member of the Ginyu Force. She makes her first ever appearance in a short side-quest in the game.
Gameplay
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a full blown action RPG with exploration, side quests, NPCs, and more. The game’s length is said to be between 35 to 40 hours, while doing all side activities can extend that to upto 100 hours. Players take control of Goku, who can fly around the world to explore various locations. Other playable characters include Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo, and Future Trunks. Characters such as Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and Yamcha also feature as support characters. They can be called in for special attacks during combat.
During combat, the camera goes into a third person over the shoulder perspective. Combat functions similar to fighting games, taking place in 3D arenas (both on the ground and in the air) where players can move around freely and attack enemies with moves and special abilities. In combat, players will have basic attacks, Ki blasts, the ability to charge Ki, assist moves, Transformations, and more. Each character will also have their ow unique moves and transformations.
The game also places on progression and RPG mechanics. Since Goku doesn’t begin the game and its story with all his abilities and becomes more powerful as the story progresses, Kakarot uses that as a conceit for its RPG progression mechanics, allowing players to slowly become more powerful.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is not a fully-fledged open world title, but the developers have mentioned that it features many large and expansive areas that players can explore thoroughly. The game has a larger world map, where players can select separate larger zones and areas to enter and explore, which is how the many areas are connected.
The game also features a fishing minigame, which sees Goku fishing with an attachable tail. Other minigames include playing baseball as a teenage Gohan, and learning to drive and get a driving license as Goku. Driving cars will also be part of various missions and side activities.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot’s world also has collectible objects called Soul Emblems scattered throughout several areas. Using Soul Emblems powers up characters, providing them with various skills. By setting up these Soul Emblems on community boards – which players get from various characters scattered throughout the game, and which each entail different sets of abilities – players get even more bonuses, such as stat buffs, special abilities, and more.
Character progression in the game is spread across various activities, and players can power up one of five different ways- through combat, through training, by eating meals, by finding Ki orbs, and by establishing communities through community boards. Exploring the world allows players to find orbs, which are used to progress in the skill tree. Meanwhile, finding ingredients, hunting, and cooking meals can provide permanent stat buffs. Goku can also engage in other activities such as mining for ore, hunting down dinosaurs in specific areas, trading in materials with traders, and more.
Note: This wiki will be updated once we have more information about the game.