User Rating: 9 | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 PS2
Budokai 2 has a thoroughly enjoyable combat system, but is marred by a lack of depth that is found in such games as Virtua Fighter 4 or Tekken. The square button is for punching, the triangle button for a kick, and x for blocking. This seems a basic system reminiscent of those found in many other games of the same genre, perhaps with not the same level of combo creation available, but similar nonetheless. The primary difference here is the circle button, used for “ki.” The premise of this is that one can link together a certain group of puncher and/or kicks, and then add the ki button at the right time to perform a ki attack, which is usually something along the lines of the show’s energy beams. This would be a remarkably well made system for the combat, but the lack of overall combos leaves it somewhat stale. The other major aspect to the gameplay is taken directly from the original Budokai – the use of capsules to customize each character. Each character is allotted 8 capsule slots, which are to be filled with capsules whose enhancements range from ki attacks to powerups in attacking or defensive capabilities. These capsules can be obtained through the revamped Story mode, now called Dragon mode, or Bulma’s shop. The well done Story mode in the original Budokai game has been trashed in the sequel, making way for Dragon mode. The premise of Dragon mode is a board game, in which you play through a variety of DBZ scenarios with your familiar cast, proceeding to gather the trademark Dragon Balls and capsules for character customization. The graphics in Budokai 2 are nothing short of incredible, particularly for those who are members of the large fan base for Dragon Ball Z. Done in a magnificent cell-shaded style intended to keep the feel of the now out-dated anime, the graphics are detailed, but the real killer is the character models. They look like they just popped out of the anime, and were given digital updates into the next millennium. Thus they are the primary eye-catcher in the myriad of examples of Budokai 2’s graphical excellence. The sound, however, is good, but it doesn’t really break any barriers in terms of theatrical excellence in video games. Now, to the subjective and opinionated part of the review. For me, personally, the game is inexplicably fun, despite its apparent inferiority in terms of an objective basis when compared to such games as Virtua Fighter 4, Street Fighter, or Tekken. So, in conclusion, buy the game, it’s a lot of fun for you DBZ fans, and those who are still beginning to play fighter games and find the deeper ones inaccessible, this game is for you.
