The Next Dragon Ball Game Should Lean on Sparking Zero’s ‘What If’ Premise

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The Next Dragon Ball Game Should Lean on Sparking Zero's 'What If' Premise

Highlights

  • Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero revitalizes the series with its “What If” mode, offering inspiration for future plot-heavy games.
  • Dragon Ball games should break away from directly adapting anime and embrace original storytelling through “What If” scenarios.
  • Dragon Ball has more than enough lore and characters to inspire an original story in its next game adaptation.

As a lifelong fan who’s grown up with Goku and his friends, I can confidently say that Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero has truly revitalized the series for me. The “What If” mode is an absolute game-changer, offering a fresh take on the familiar stories we all love. It’s about time the Dragon Ball games break away from directly adapting the anime and start exploring original storytelling through these exciting “What If” scenarios.

The game titled “Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero” is generating a lot of buzz due to its deep respect for every aspect of the series. While other games have shown similar reverence, they approached the adaptation of the anime’s story in distinct ways. Fortunately, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero offers an exceptionally robust guide for future narrative-focused Dragon Ball games thanks to its well-loved “What If” gameplay mode.

As a dedicated Dragon Ball fan, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of Budokai Tenkaichi 4 for years. However, my wait was finally rewarded with Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. One aspect that truly made this series stand out for me was the “What If” scenarios, where we got to relive iconic Dragon Ball moments in a fresh perspective. Sparking Zero is reviving these What Ifs, and I can’t help but feel that the next Dragon Ball game should definitely learn from this approach.

After Sparking Zero, The Next Dragon Ball Game Needs an Original Story

Explaining Dragon Ball Sparking Zero’s ‘What Ifs’

In contrast to other Dragon Ball games that shared similar ideas, the concept of “What If” stories was initially introduced in the first Budokai Tenkaichi game. These narratives typically centered around significant moments from the series, but with an unexpected twist that drastically altered the course of events. This mode quickly became popular among fans and has remained a staple feature in every subsequent release.

2007 saw the release of Budokai Tenkaichi 3, which marked the end of the mainline games in the series for quite some time. This lengthy hiatus led many to think that the franchise might have reached its conclusion. However, recent hits like Dragon Ball Xenoverse, Dragon Ball Fighterz, and Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot have garnered widespread acclaim, suggesting a change in development focus. Yet, the upcoming game Sparking Zero signals a return to the franchise, promising to revive one of its most beloved aspects.

Dragon Ball Games Stick Too Close to the Anime

As a devoted fan of Dragon Ball, I’ve got to admit that its humorous origins as a gag manga often take a backseat to the epic action-packed battles it’s known for in the shonen genre. It’s no surprise then, that most adaptations of this iconic series have morphed into thrilling fighting games. Now, fighting games do have a reputation for having flimsy storylines, but Dragon Ball’s popularity among casual gamers has ensured that engaging story modes are always given top priority.

Although the number of plot-centric Dragon Ball video games is relatively limited, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any at all. With over four decades worth of storytelling material available, developers could create an engaging single-player experience. However, some Dragon Ball games have started leaning on this extensive history a bit too heavily, using it as a support rather than pushing the boundaries.

Many Dragon Ball video games often rehash storylines from the anime, and Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a recent example of this trend. Given the global popularity of Dragon Ball, it’s safe to assume that players who pick up these games are already well-versed in the series’ major events. However, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero demonstrates that injecting more originality into the gameplay can only add to its appeal for fans.

‘What Ifs’ Could Serve as the Perfect Blueprint for a Future Dragon Ball Game

The announcement of Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero was a delightful surprise for long-standing series enthusiasts. Learning that What Ifs would resurface alongside it only amplified this nostalgic excitement. It’s evident that developers are taking fan feedback seriously, and the return of What Ifs could pave the way for an exceptional new Dragon Ball game design.

As a devoted Dragon Ball fan, I can’t help but feel that our hunger for fresh tales with these cherished characters is insatiable, and Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero certainly drives this point home. In comparison to Dragon Ball Xenoverse, which had the most intricate plot before Kakarot, its story was primarily centered around time-travel exploits spanning the series’ timeline. While an entirely new narrative would be delightful, a What If-style scenario for the next game’s narrative could strike the ideal balance.

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2024-08-22 20:13