Dragon Ball FighterZ Reviews Roundup (Update)

This is an especially exciting week for game releases, as two of the year's most anticipated titles, Monster Hunter World and Dragon Ball FighterZ, are both set to launch on January 26. The latter is the new 2.5D Dragon Ball fighting game from Arc System Works, the studio behind Guilty Gear and BlazBlue, and it looks to be one of the best titles based on Akira Toriyama's popular anime and manga series.

In GameSpot's Dragon Ball FighterZ review in progress, critic Peter Brown called the game "an exciting revitalization of Dragon Ball Z's glory days." He added, "Even if you think Dragon Ball is old hat, and even if you're intimidated by fighting games, there's a good chance you'll be drawn into the explosive action and personalities that expertly evoke the anime's infectious spirit."

Other reviews for Dragon Ball FighterZ have also begun appearing online ahead of the game's release this Friday, and they've been similarly positive. We've collected a sample of Dragon Ball FighterZ reviews in our roundup below, which we'll continue to update as more reviews are published closer to the game's release. In the meantime, you can take a wider look at what critics think of Dragon Ball FighterZ on GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Game: Dragon Ball FighterZ
• Developer: Arc System Works
• Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
• Release date: January 26
• Price: $60 / £50

GameSpot -- 9/10

"FighterZ is complex and distinct enough to be enjoyed by fighting game competitors, but there's no question that it's been designed to tap into the hearts of Dragon Ball's most dedicated fans, and no doubt those same qualities will win people over who've never given the series a chance. Where past games attempted to get there through huge character rosters and deliberately predictable trips down memory lane, FighterZ has bottled the essence of what makes the series' characters, animation, and sense of humor so beloved and reconfigured it into something new: a Dragon Ball fighting game that can go toe-to-toe with the best of the genre." -- Peter Brown [Full review in progress]

IGN -- 8.5/10

"Between the accessible auto combos, homing attacks, and simplified command inputs, Dragon Ball FighterZ is an inviting gateway into the world of fighting games for newcomers--whether you're a Dragon Ball fan or not. Those easy controls can open the door to some spammy behavior, but just as often it's satisfying in a way that does right by the Dragon Ball name. Dragon Ball FighterZ has enough depth and complexity to glow as brilliantly as a Super Saiyan." -- Mitchell Saltzman [Full review]

EGM -- 9/10

"While there have been many fighting games based on the Dragon Ball franchise, Dragon Ball FighterZ marks a modern approach through the means of fast-paced action. From its breathtaking visuals to ease of gameplay mastery, the new fighter is a good stepping stone to expand the fan base of the genre. However, it may not satisfy players who are looking for complexity." -- Evan Slead [Full review]

Shacknews -- 9/10

"This is truly the best Dragon Ball fighter I’ve played since the Super Famicom imports. It's pure fighting bliss that makes you feel as OP as the characters on the show by adding so much style and flare. Longtime fans and newer fans who may just be familiar with Dragon Ball Super will find something to enjoy here if they’re fans of fighters." -- Blake Morse [Full review]

Game Informer -- Review in Progress

"The more I delve into training mode, the more I learn about FighterZ, which is great; before playing the full game, I was a little afraid Arc System Works was going to go a bit too simple to appeal to casual Dragon Ball fans, and I'm happy to be proven wrong. Despite the simple control scheme, there are plenty of ways you can approach your opponent, and I never felt completely helpless, or that any one option was overwhelmingly powerful. Complete novices will still have to do some genre learning, but the fundamentals are simple enough that it won't be too much of a chore." -- Suriel Vazquez [Full review in progress]

Eurogamer -- Review in Progress

"Dragon Ball FighterZ, then, is the fighting game for everyone. Sure, it's a fast-paced game, and with three-versus-three action the screen can get pretty busy at times, but Arc System Works' effort to make the combat accessible means pretty much anyone can pick up their favourite few characters from Dragon Ball and get them to do cool and exciting stuff straight away. A few minutes spent in training mode and you'll find yourself doing combos that approach the 100-hit mark--just from a few basic input commands." -- Wesley Yin-Poole [Full review in progress]

VideoGamer -- Review in Progress

"We've still got to do some online testing when the servers are up, but the offline lobby for Dragon Ball FighterZ suggests this is going to be a good 'un. Whether or not you like fighting games or Dragon Ball, extremely dramatic villains and hench dudes with giant hair hurling fireballs at each other (all set to unceasing guitar solos) is kind of inherently enjoyable." -- Alice Bell [Full review in progress]

TrustedReviews -- 4.5/5

"For Arc System Works, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a chance at real mainstream success. The Guilty Gear games are universally excellent, and have a dedicated fanbase, but their hardcore nature meant they always lost to the Street Fighters and Tekkens of the world when it came to sales. The Dragon Ball license could be what gets the masses interested in the studio’s particular brand of air-dashing, spectacular combat." -- Andi Hamilton [Full review]