Dragon Ball Z: Buu's Fury – Review
Game Boy Advance
Review by Feath
Reviewed: 09/14/2004
Almost there, but not quite.
The story so far:
After the painful game that was LOG1, LOG2 appeared on the scene. This game surprised fans with it's almost true to series plot, working hit detection as well as something almost unknown to DBZ games, playability. It's only weakness was it's length...
One year later, Buu's fury enters the scene. Does the game expand on the standard set by LOG2, or does it slump? Find out on the next...er...now.
Story: 7/10
Like the previous game (as well as almost all Dragonball games), the game is rough replica of the plot of the series. As the majority who are playing this would've watched the series, there are no plot twists or surprises as far as the Buu saga goes. There's no Goten finding out Vegeta is really his father, or that Trunks and Bulma dye their hair and really are natural brunettes.
The only surprises come from the elements of plot interwoven from the movies. Then again, if you've watched the movies, what happens isn't really a suprise either. So why such a relatively high score? One thing the dialogue manages to do is bring back memories of watching the series first time around...at least the dub version. As it's very true to form, so there are times when you'll remember the line, and hearing Vegeta's dub lines was always mildly entertaining.
Graphics: 7/10
The game is set out pretty much in the style of the previous games of the series. Main characters/minor enemies are small RPG-like midgets. Major enemies are double/triple the size in comparison. The style grows on you. Or leaves you very annoyed.
Energy attacks look far better this time round, but perhaps the biggest improvement is scenery/towns, which are very pretty. However, when they're contrasted to mini-character wars going on, they're slightly out of place.
Dialogue pictures have also been improved, and bear closer resemblance to the show rather than something done in MS Paint. The main playable characters now have 2/3 emotion pictures depending on the dialogue.
The remainder of the characters such as Videl, only have one picture, leading to scenes where she has a content grin on her face whilst being violent brutalized in tournament. Those who are nitpickers will also be somewhat annoyed by the frequency of the dialogue picture not matching the characters form (Base Vegeta's pic being used while Super saiyan, etc, etc.). Nothing major, but still annoying.
Gameplay: 6/10
There was an immense improvement of LOG2 over LOG1, does LOG3 follow suit? Well, yes and no. The level up system has been greatly improved to be more RPG like, the quests are a whole lot more interlinked and less scattered, and the fetch quests made more interesting. So where does it fall? Ironically, in the one thing LOG1 had - enemy difficulty. In LOG1, upon entering the screen, KILLER KITTENS/DOGS/SNAKES would immediately rush and cause heavy damage to poor gormless Goku. This was the main complaint with LOG1 - the poor hit detection/fast enemy speed made killing these enemies almost impossible. There's been a reversal in Buu's fury. The good hit detection/mild enemy attack patterns makes it almost impossible NOT to kill the enemies.
Another main culprit of this is the new stat system. This time round, you get 3 Level up points for each level you gain. So, at any point in the game, you can decide you can choose how much of your points you want in each stat. This allows smart players to put all the experience of several level ups into the strength stat, begin OHKO'ing everything in sight, the fast killing leading up to even MORE leveling up, which in turn gives you more stat points. This isn't helped by equipment which dramatically increase the amount of experience for each enemy.
The equipment in the game doesn't really serve that much of a purpose. Seeing as any character can de-equip equipment from another, even if they're not selectable, there's no real real feeling of exclusivity. It's just a case of equipping the best items to the character on switch.
Another new element in the game which falls flat are Zeni (coins), which mysteriously pop out of all enemies when they're killed, and are supposed to be spent in the shops. The problem is that well as exploding into currency, the enemies also decide to explode into healing items/new equipment, meaning there is very little incentive to even go to the shops, as usually there is very little need to, except for the sub quests.
In short, the main problem with the game is this: Unless you keep a close eye on how you use the stat system, almost nothing in the game is going to last more than 4 hits. If you read this review before you get the game, I strongly suggest when you do not to level up any stats until you need to, in order to artificially foster some kind of challenge, and when you do, just enough so the fights are moderate/don't drag on. This will definately increase your enjoyment of the game.
Controls: 9/10
The controls are by and by the same as LOG2. A is the standard punch/kick attack (which appears to have gotten a mild speed boost). L rotates through specials. B is to use a special. The map has been moved to select, to make way for a new move, Block on R. As this is rarely if ever used, it's an annoyance, as now select deals with both the scouter AND the map. Oh well.
Sound: 8/10
Like last time, the music is very much a remix of the dub music. Some combinations come out catchy (until you get tired of the endless loop that is), and some bland. All in all, it manages to catch the mood quite well, although some far better than others (The world map). As for sound effects, no qualms here. Punches, kicks, ki blasts all sound fine.
Conclusion:
The fact that this game gives off the impression of being polished is probably why what is wrong with it shows up so strongly. The resources given in this game far out-match what you're up against. This game will probably last you around 15-25 hours on the game clock, depending on how many subquests you're prepared to undertake. If you're a Dragonball fan, it's a recommendable diversion, but not essential. As for non-Dragonball fans, this reasonably fun, but too short to recommend. Then again, if you take the advice in the review and not go crazy on the stat system, you may be able to add a few hours to the play time. The only reason for buying is if you have a physical need all DB related items in your house, or you want to take advantage of the multiplayer (trading items/fight). In other cases, a rent/brief swipe from friend/any other devious means will suffice.
Will LOG4 (DB:Red Ribbon saga) manage to fuse BF's system and bring back the brutality of LOG1 enemies? Or will it make another error causing the difficulty to decrease again? Find out.....next year.
After the painful game that was LOG1, LOG2 appeared on the scene. This game surprised fans with it's almost true to series plot, working hit detection as well as something almost unknown to DBZ games, playability. It's only weakness was it's length...
One year later, Buu's fury enters the scene. Does the game expand on the standard set by LOG2, or does it slump? Find out on the next...er...now.
Story: 7/10
Like the previous game (as well as almost all Dragonball games), the game is rough replica of the plot of the series. As the majority who are playing this would've watched the series, there are no plot twists or surprises as far as the Buu saga goes. There's no Goten finding out Vegeta is really his father, or that Trunks and Bulma dye their hair and really are natural brunettes.
The only surprises come from the elements of plot interwoven from the movies. Then again, if you've watched the movies, what happens isn't really a suprise either. So why such a relatively high score? One thing the dialogue manages to do is bring back memories of watching the series first time around...at least the dub version. As it's very true to form, so there are times when you'll remember the line, and hearing Vegeta's dub lines was always mildly entertaining.
Graphics: 7/10
The game is set out pretty much in the style of the previous games of the series. Main characters/minor enemies are small RPG-like midgets. Major enemies are double/triple the size in comparison. The style grows on you. Or leaves you very annoyed.
Energy attacks look far better this time round, but perhaps the biggest improvement is scenery/towns, which are very pretty. However, when they're contrasted to mini-character wars going on, they're slightly out of place.
Dialogue pictures have also been improved, and bear closer resemblance to the show rather than something done in MS Paint. The main playable characters now have 2/3 emotion pictures depending on the dialogue.
The remainder of the characters such as Videl, only have one picture, leading to scenes where she has a content grin on her face whilst being violent brutalized in tournament. Those who are nitpickers will also be somewhat annoyed by the frequency of the dialogue picture not matching the characters form (Base Vegeta's pic being used while Super saiyan, etc, etc.). Nothing major, but still annoying.
Gameplay: 6/10
There was an immense improvement of LOG2 over LOG1, does LOG3 follow suit? Well, yes and no. The level up system has been greatly improved to be more RPG like, the quests are a whole lot more interlinked and less scattered, and the fetch quests made more interesting. So where does it fall? Ironically, in the one thing LOG1 had - enemy difficulty. In LOG1, upon entering the screen, KILLER KITTENS/DOGS/SNAKES would immediately rush and cause heavy damage to poor gormless Goku. This was the main complaint with LOG1 - the poor hit detection/fast enemy speed made killing these enemies almost impossible. There's been a reversal in Buu's fury. The good hit detection/mild enemy attack patterns makes it almost impossible NOT to kill the enemies.
Another main culprit of this is the new stat system. This time round, you get 3 Level up points for each level you gain. So, at any point in the game, you can decide you can choose how much of your points you want in each stat. This allows smart players to put all the experience of several level ups into the strength stat, begin OHKO'ing everything in sight, the fast killing leading up to even MORE leveling up, which in turn gives you more stat points. This isn't helped by equipment which dramatically increase the amount of experience for each enemy.
The equipment in the game doesn't really serve that much of a purpose. Seeing as any character can de-equip equipment from another, even if they're not selectable, there's no real real feeling of exclusivity. It's just a case of equipping the best items to the character on switch.
Another new element in the game which falls flat are Zeni (coins), which mysteriously pop out of all enemies when they're killed, and are supposed to be spent in the shops. The problem is that well as exploding into currency, the enemies also decide to explode into healing items/new equipment, meaning there is very little incentive to even go to the shops, as usually there is very little need to, except for the sub quests.
In short, the main problem with the game is this: Unless you keep a close eye on how you use the stat system, almost nothing in the game is going to last more than 4 hits. If you read this review before you get the game, I strongly suggest when you do not to level up any stats until you need to, in order to artificially foster some kind of challenge, and when you do, just enough so the fights are moderate/don't drag on. This will definately increase your enjoyment of the game.
Controls: 9/10
The controls are by and by the same as LOG2. A is the standard punch/kick attack (which appears to have gotten a mild speed boost). L rotates through specials. B is to use a special. The map has been moved to select, to make way for a new move, Block on R. As this is rarely if ever used, it's an annoyance, as now select deals with both the scouter AND the map. Oh well.
Sound: 8/10
Like last time, the music is very much a remix of the dub music. Some combinations come out catchy (until you get tired of the endless loop that is), and some bland. All in all, it manages to catch the mood quite well, although some far better than others (The world map). As for sound effects, no qualms here. Punches, kicks, ki blasts all sound fine.
Conclusion:
The fact that this game gives off the impression of being polished is probably why what is wrong with it shows up so strongly. The resources given in this game far out-match what you're up against. This game will probably last you around 15-25 hours on the game clock, depending on how many subquests you're prepared to undertake. If you're a Dragonball fan, it's a recommendable diversion, but not essential. As for non-Dragonball fans, this reasonably fun, but too short to recommend. Then again, if you take the advice in the review and not go crazy on the stat system, you may be able to add a few hours to the play time. The only reason for buying is if you have a physical need all DB related items in your house, or you want to take advantage of the multiplayer (trading items/fight). In other cases, a rent/brief swipe from friend/any other devious means will suffice.
Will LOG4 (DB:Red Ribbon saga) manage to fuse BF's system and bring back the brutality of LOG1 enemies? Or will it make another error causing the difficulty to decrease again? Find out.....next year.
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Rating:
7
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