Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 Review for Xbox 360

System: X360, PS3	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Spike	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Namco Bandai	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Nov. 2, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Speaking of backgrounds, Raging Blast 2 has the same flaw that nearly all of its predecessors had - the invisible border. While the landscape appears to stretch out for miles around the battlefields, there are invisible borders that fence the combatants in. It really shatters suspension of disbelief when Vegeta smashes Cell through the air, only to have Cell collide with open air and promptly drop to the ground. While it is obvious that the invisible walls are utilized because of hardware limitations, there should be a way to incorporate limits in the game in a less intrusive way. If the developers cannot create the illusion of openness, perhaps they should confine the player to enclosed arenas.

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 screenshot

One of the biggest draws of Raging Blast 2 is the inclusion of the new anime feature. The Plan To Eradicate the Super Saiyans isn't exactly new, as it was released in Japan years ago as a "visual strategy guide." This feature has been remade for American audiences and will introduce many to the villain Hatchiyak for the first time. Hatchiyak also appears in the game, making his (American) video game debut with the feature providing his backstory (since the Galaxy Mode refuses to do so). While The Plan To Eradicate the Super Saiyans can't really be reviewed as part of the game, it is a nice inclusion and adds value for anyone attempting to justify a purchase.

As always, the voice casts reprise their roles and provide convincing performances. While DBZ isn't a serious drama, the voice actors all still do a great job in their respective roles. The option to retain the original Japanese voices is also available for purists. The soundtrack is decent, though largely forgettable.

One of the greatest things about Raging Blast 2 is the vast amount of unlockables. The game presents the player with numerous goals and rewards the diligent gamer with numerous unlockables which run the gamut from anime stills to new characters. There are a lot of things to unlock and collect, so gamers with the "Gotta Catch Em All" syndrome may find themselves entertained in their quest for completion.

Ultimately, the pleasure a player receives from Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 depends on a lot of different factors. Aside from a few characters that have never been in a DBZ game before, Raging Blast 2 doesn't offer anything new. The fighting system, the environments, and most of the characters appear to have been copied and pasted from Raging Blast. However, there is fun to be had in smashing your opponent through mountains or blasting them into oblivion - if you can forget that you have done in many times before.

By D'Marcus Beatty
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
Stunning cel-shaded visuals bring the characters to life.

3.8

Control
Decent responsiveness allows the depth of the fighting system to shine.

4.2

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Voiceovers are true to the anime with a decent musical soundtrack.

3.5

Play Value
There is a lot to do and a lot to unlock - although it all boils down to different ways to frame fighting.

3.8

Overall Rating - Good
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Command the Dragon Ball Z Universe - Experience Dragon Ball Z like never before as the story unfolds during battle, keeping you immersed in the action at all times. With signature moves and transformations, the experience is closer than ever to the anime!

Fight Using Fan-Favorite Characters - Choose from any of ninety characters, including twenty not included in the first installment of the Raging Blast series. Create new characters by customizing with various items and attacks or equipping them with a unique combination of Super Attacks.

Feel the Destructive Power - Command tons of Super Attacks and learn to harness the power of the new "Raging Soul" system, which increases a character's combat abilities to the ultimate level. Special effects add to the sense of destruction with the use of slow motion at the moment of impact, allowing you to feel the power of each bonecrushing blow.

Experience New Dragon Ball Battlefields - Battle across fourteen different large-scale, destructible stages, including four new ones. Watch the environment change as the battles progress and adjust your battle strategy as each stage is smashed to bits by the super-human strength of your devastating attacks.

Choose your Mode - Play through the all-new "Galaxy" mode to clear a variety of battles! Or you can face-off against another player in either the offline "VS" mode or one of the online modes such as "World Tournament" where you can fight to prove you deserve to be ranked #1 in the world!

Enjoy Bonus Content and Extras - Featuring original Japanese voices, downloadable content, and tons of unlockables, including over 300 still images from the anime, Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 continues to push the limits!