Game Review: Dragon Ball Z Sagas: Evolution
Rated by 2 members
What Parents Should Know
The game features plenty of violence, making it unsuitable
for children under 13.
While there is no human blood shed, the goal of the game is to kill the enemy as you make your way through the many chapters of the game. Characters bleed when punched and kicked, but for the most part simply fall hard to the ground after you kill them. There is a background voice that is constantly reminding players to "kill" the enemy before moving on to other parts of the game. In fact, you cannot even advance until you have killed all of the enemies that are chasing you.
The game features online gaming options, and parents may want to take precautions (see review below for ideas). You may also want to talk to your teens about the Dragon Ball Z franchise of videos, games and products. Since the game uses characters from the TV show, you may ask your kids: How does the game help promote the TV show? How does it promote other merchandise?
Common Sense Media Review
In DRAGON BALL Z SAGAS: EVOLUTION, players are transported
into the action-filled, animated world of Dragon Ball Z, with
chapters of the popular TV series being played out with actual
Dragon Ball Z characters.
Fans of the anime series will feel right at home with the characters and storylines. The game follows the early episodes of the series, beginning with the Saiyan Saga and ending with the Cell Games. Choose from six playable heroes, including Goku, Gohan, and Piccolo. Your objectives: Collect items, defeat enemies, and destroy monster rock formations, all while protecting the game's key characters and advancing through the chapters, all in an effort to save the universe.
This may be enough to hook fans, but gameplay grows frustrating. The camera angles do not change throughout, making for a predictable gaming experience. The bland design elements do not add the visual flair that you would expect to find in an action-adventure game. You'll find basic solid background colors throughout, landscapes that look like those found in cartoons instead of an actual outdoor setting, and characters that are lacking facial features and characteristics that make them look real.
The game controls are also extremely complex and require the use of all buttons to perform many of the basic functions of the game. Dragon Ball Z Sagas: Evolotion does offer players multiple gameplay modes. You can play by yourself in single-player adventure mode, or team up with a friend in double-player mode for cooperative play or old school arcade style battles. It's worth noting that this cooperative play happens online, and parents should consider whether or not their teen is matuire enough for this stype of gameplay. If so, parents may want to ensure that their teens play in a public space and encourage them meet up with friends for online play. Parents should check in regularly to see who they are playing with.
The game is still violent -- you can destroy enemies with a flame ball, kick them into rocks or punch and kick them until they are dead. But the violence is cartoonish and enemies are not human, but alien-looking creatures from the Dragon Ball Z series. When they are dead, they fall to the ground and simply fade away.
Overall, the game is geared towards teens that are fans of the Dragon Ball Z series. Beginning players will likely get frustrated with skill needed to control the hero, while experienced players may not be impressed with the bland design and low resolution graphics.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
