Dragon Ball Z: Sagas

Dragon Ball Z: Sagas
Xbox cover art
Developer(s)	Avalanche Software
Publisher(s)	Atari
Series	Dragon Ball
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox
Release date(s)	NA March 22, 2005
Genre(s)	Action-adventure, Beat 'em up
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer

Dragon Ball Z: Sagas is a 3D action-adventure video game developed by Avalanche Software and published by Atari, based on the anime Dragon Ball Z. It is the first Dragon Ball Z console game to be developed by a non-Japanese developer, and the first Dragon Ball Z game to be released on a non-Japanese console, the Xbox. It also ended up being the only Dragon Ball Z to be released on the Xbox, while the Japanese machines continued to get a steady stream of Dragon Ball related games, all of which are still made by Japanese developers.

Overview

Gameplay

Sagas has fighting-based gameplay with new abilities becoming available via upgrade. There are three basic fighting styles: Melee, Combo, and Ki. Melee attacks are often swift and leave the opponent temporarily stunned. Combo attacks are several consecutive punches or kicks to the opponent which may contain up to 10 hits. Ki attacks are energy blasts that rely on a rechargeable meter for power. The most powerful Ki blast is the "Special Move" found in the first level.

Levels and Sagas

There are about 19 levels in the game. These levels are split into sagas. The sagas, in order are: Saiyan saga, Namek saga, Frieza saga, Yardrat saga, Trunks saga, Android saga, and the Cell Games saga. In the levels of the game you must complete many quests, buy upgrades, and defeat enemies and bosses.

Characters

• Goku (The Arrival, Saiyans Duel, Ascended, RIT Armor, Cell Games)
• Vegeta (Saiyan Elite, RIT Armor, RIT Armor Variant)
• Gohan (Kid, Kid RIT Armor, Teen RIT Armor, Teen Namekian Uniform, Teen Cell Games, Future, Future with One Arm)
• Piccolo (Normal, With Cape)
• Future Trunks (No Jacket, Dark Jacket, Light Jacket, RIT Armor, RIT Armor Variant, Teen)

After completing the game, along with being able to play any level with any of the previous characters, the following characters are unlocked:

• Bardock
• Broly
• Krillin
• Tien
• Yamcha

Reception

Scores

Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings (Xbox) 52%[1] (GC) 51.92%[2] (PS2) 48.80%[3] Metacritic (Xbox) 51 / 100[4] (PS2) 49 / 100[5] (GC) 48 / 100[6] Review scores Publication Score 1UP.com C+[7] Game Informer 5 / 10[8] GamePro [9] GameSpot 3.8 / 10[10] IGN 4 / 10[11] Nintendo Power 3 / 5[12] Official PlayStation Magazine (US) [13] Official Xbox Magazine 5.3 / 10[14] TeamXbox 5.5 / 10[15] X-Play [16]

Dragon Ball Z: Sagas received a very negative reception from critics. GameRankings and Metacritic gave it a score of 52% and 51 out of 100 for the Xbox version;^[1][4] 51.92% and 48 out of 100 for the GameCube version;^[2][6] and 48.80% and 49 out of 100 for the PlayStation 2 version.^[3][5] IGN gave the game 4 out of 10,^[11] claiming that, "In the end, Dragon Ball Z: Sagas fails in all departments. It's nowhere near as fun or functional as the Budokai games, and completely fails in taking the series into a new direction." The reviews were mainly a result of lack of gameplay. IGN also claims that "The lack of characters, sagas, and moves is what brings the game down. There is no reason why the very great Dragon Ball Z franchise should be taking a step backwards."

References

External links

• Dragon Ball Z: Sagas at MobyGames