Release Date: February 26, 2015
Developer: DIMPS
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Price: $39.99 (Frequently on sale for <$5)

There's no denying that XENOVERSE 2 is the vastly superior game, and with how quick the turnaround was on that title - releasing just one year after the original XENOVERSE came out - it's a wonder why XENOVERSE even existed at all to begin with when XENOVERSE 2 could've been the definitive XENOVERSE experience instead of having virtually two of the same game, but without contemplating whatever nonsensical decisions went behind that over at Bandai Namco, I'll just preface this by saying that I'm incredibly happy that XENOVERSE does exist, and even more so that Dragon Ball still remains so damn entertaining all these years later.

Creating a character prior to starting your adventure has just enough options to give a sense of unique taste to any design you decide to come up with.

DRAGON BALL XENOVERSE, story-wise, isn't much different from most other Dragon Ball titles. It insists that you should once again play through and experience the entire Dragon Ball Z storyline in case it isn't already ingrained into your DNA by now, but this time there's a twist, though that twist has also been a tried concept that Bandai Namco has squeezed a little bit too much of over its last few Dragon Ball releases (and, quite frankly, their overall licensed anime releases) in general: There are evil versions and/or clones of already existing characters that may or may not be in your current timeline. We've seen the same purple aura + red eyes now across XENOVERSE, XENOVERSE 2, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Super Dragon Ball Heroes, Dragon Ball Fusions, Jump Force, and I don't even know what else at this point - and this is just involving the Dragon Ball characters. I know these exact same scenarios have existed in other Naruto, One Piece, etc. games as well. It's a little absurd, but I'm sure my complaints will only cause for more of this to continue happening, so I'll stop there.

Super Saiyan Goku lands a haymaker on Frieza at WrestleMania DCLXVI

What XENOVERSE does do well, however, is present this story in a way that feels a little more personal, and, for me, it's very much akin to Attack on Titan 2: Final Battle, where your created character experiences these events that originally didn't involve them through their eyes as if they did, gaining a different perspective on these iconic scenarios that bend the story to be more about you. Adding elements of RPG mechanics such as leveling, customizing, equipping armor, quests, and so on give a nice layer of depth that also makes the created character feel a sense of growth throughout, and it's that same growth that kept me so invested in a story that I've otherwise gone through hundreds of times at this point (and that's not a hyperbole).

XENOVERSE 2 isn't much different in this regard, but it is much more fleshed out and, in XENOVERSE 2, feels (mostly) properly balanced as to make the strength and skills gained feel like actual upgrades and not just window dressing. XENOVERSE 1 compared to its successor certainly feels like the leveling system isn't as intricate as it could be, especially when you could be level 99 with all stats maxed out by the end and still get absolutely pounded into oblivion (I'm looking at you Beerus and Whis), and any upgrades done to basic attacks, ki, supers, and so on feel so minuscule and trivial that it's a wonder why these "stats" were even implemented to begin with, as it felt very prototype-ish. It would have been better to keep any stat boosts strictly related to equipment and skill sets rather than leveling and stat increases, but I understand these were the stepping stones (almost like an official retail beta) for what would inevitably become XENOVERSE 2.

Goku spars with Vegeta in a showdown we’re all too familiar with.

One of the reasons why i ultimately went back to XENOVERSE 1 instead of XENOVERSE 2, however, is that XENOVERSE 1 is far more focused and streamlined than its successor. To be fair, this is a given due to its short shelf life and the fact that XENOVERSE 2 is STILL being updated and supported a whole eight years later at the time of this review, so it's only natural that it would grow into an absolute behemoth by comparison, but that certainly doesn't hurt XENOVERSE 1's validity and appreciation I have for it.

Xenoverse’s queen, Towa, sitting on her imaginary throne.

As a lifelong Dragon Ball fan, sometimes I just want something simple to jump into that I can play in either long or short spurts and be in that incredible universe Toriyama-sensei so wonderfully crafted so many years ago. The combat is fluid and Toki Toki City, while small and a nuisance to run around, is just big enough that I can really become enamored with being there and surrounded by fellow humans, saiyans, namekians, and so on, interacting with fellow players or local NPCs, and really feeling like I'm there without the overwhelming pressure that XENOVERSE 2 puts on me by comparison with constant events, tournaments, leaderboards, and techniques to prove to other people. XENOVERSE 1 now, being as old as it is, I feel is actually better for it. Though, again, overall, it's nothing compared to XENOVERSE 2, but there is beauty in the simplicity of its approach to being a basic-as-it-gets semi live-service fighter.

Goten and Trunks flunked their test and Papa Piccolo ain’t too happy about it

It's aged surprisingly well, and I can't recommend it enough when it's on sale as it's a great time for Dragon Ball fans and a nice little warm up if you've ever thought about jumping into XENOVERSE 2 but haven't really decided if it's the right time yet. Just jump into XENOVERSE 1 without a worry in the world and treat it like an old school Budokai game (though it's clearly and mechanically not), play locally, and just enjoy your time with it. It's a surprisingly relaxing and equally cathartic experience when wanting to just revisit these characters we've loved so much over the years, while having that extra added aspect of creating "you" to fight alongside them.

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