83
MONSTER
Dragon Ball FighterZ is born from what makes the Dragon Ball series so loved and famous: endless spectacular fights with its all-powerful fighters.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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73
Praised for originality and innovative structure, Dragon Ball FighterZ’s story mode falters with repetitive battles, filler content, and a shallow plot, dividing fan reactions.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
36%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
58%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
6%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Praised for originality and innovative structure, Dragon Ball FighterZ’s story mode falters with repetitive battles, filler content, and a shallow plot, dividing fan reactions.
Gameplay Mechanics
Expand for full analysis
90
Dragon Ball FighterZ delivers accessible, deep 3-on-3 combat with explosive combos, strategic tag-team mechanics, and a perfect balance for casual and competitive players—its minor flaws (like repetitive auto-combos) are overshadowed by its dynamic gameplay, earning praise as a genre standout.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
90
Positive Reviews (80-100)
98%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
2%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Dragon Ball FighterZ delivers accessible, deep 3-on-3 combat with explosive combos, strategic tag-team mechanics, and a perfect balance for casual and competitive players—its minor flaws (like repetitive auto-combos) are overshadowed by its dynamic gameplay, earning praise as a genre standout.
Graphics and Visual Design
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97
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a visual masterwork that captures the anime’s essence with stunning cel-shaded art, fluid 2.5D combat, and cinematic flair, earning universal praise as a benchmark for anime-inspired games—its minor flaws in animation and resolution pale next to its breathtaking presentation.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
97
Positive Reviews (80-100)
97%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
3%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a visual masterwork that captures the anime’s essence with stunning cel-shaded art, fluid 2.5D combat, and cinematic flair, earning universal praise as a benchmark for anime-inspired games—its minor flaws in animation and resolution pale next to its breathtaking presentation.
Music and Sound Design
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82
Critics praised Dragon Ball FighterZ's immersive audio, faithful adaptation, and iconic sound effects, with highlights on its rock-metal combat soundtrack, authentic voice acting, and nostalgic anime cues. However, the soundtrack faced backlash for overreliance on rock, lack of originality, inconsistent quality, and DLC-dependent content. While hailed as a strong fan-pleaser, it fell short of innovation, balancing nostalgia with mixed musical ambition.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
82
Positive Reviews (80-100)
72%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
28%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Critics praised Dragon Ball FighterZ's immersive audio, faithful adaptation, and iconic sound effects, with highlights on its rock-metal combat soundtrack, authentic voice acting, and nostalgic anime cues. However, the soundtrack faced backlash for overreliance on rock, lack of originality, inconsistent quality, and DLC-dependent content. While hailed as a strong fan-pleaser, it fell short of innovation, balancing nostalgia with mixed musical ambition.
Voice Acting
Expand for full analysis
84
Critics hailed Dragon Ball FighterZ's voice acting as a triumph, praising its authenticity, emotional depth, and faithful adaptation of the anime’s humor and charm. Japanese and English dubs were universally lauded for their energy, with standout performances from current Dragon Ball Super cast members. While minor gripes—like subtitle mismatches and occasional over-the-top delivery—surfaced, they paled next to the overwhelming praise for its immersive storytelling and cultural resonance. The dual-language options and iconic voice work solidified it as a defining pillar of the game’s success.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
84
Positive Reviews (80-100)
81%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
19%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Critics hailed Dragon Ball FighterZ's voice acting as a triumph, praising its authenticity, emotional depth, and faithful adaptation of the anime’s humor and charm. Japanese and English dubs were universally lauded for their energy, with standout performances from current Dragon Ball Super cast members. While minor gripes—like subtitle mismatches and occasional over-the-top delivery—surfaced, they paled next to the overwhelming praise for its immersive storytelling and cultural resonance. The dual-language options and iconic voice work solidified it as a defining pillar of the game’s success.
Technical Performance
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73
Dragon Ball FighterZ delivers solid core mechanics and optimization across platforms, but technical hiccups—like spotty online play, lag, and server instability—hurt its polish. PC and PS4/PS5 shine with smooth netcode and visuals, while Switch and Xbox One struggle with connectivity and load times. Despite post-launch fixes, online infrastructure remains a critical flaw, leaving the game's technical foundation uneven but its combat intact.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
73
Positive Reviews (80-100)
29%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
71%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Dragon Ball FighterZ delivers solid core mechanics and optimization across platforms, but technical hiccups—like spotty online play, lag, and server instability—hurt its polish. PC and PS4/PS5 shine with smooth netcode and visuals, while Switch and Xbox One struggle with connectivity and load times. Despite post-launch fixes, online infrastructure remains a critical flaw, leaving the game's technical foundation uneven but its combat intact.
Replay Value
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81
Dragon Ball FighterZ offers stellar replay value through dynamic Arcade Mode, deep multiplayer, and character variety, but repetitive storylines, broken online systems, and DLC roadblocks undermine long-term appeal, leaving its longevity tied to fixes and community retention.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
81
Positive Reviews (80-100)
65%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
35%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Dragon Ball FighterZ offers stellar replay value through dynamic Arcade Mode, deep multiplayer, and character variety, but repetitive storylines, broken online systems, and DLC roadblocks undermine long-term appeal, leaving its longevity tied to fixes and community retention.
Overall Verdict
83
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
83
Positive Reviews (80-100)
94%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
6%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Dragon Ball FighterZ earns universal acclaim for its vibrant cel-shaded visuals, deep yet accessible combat, and faithful franchise homage, hailed as one of the best fighting games ever made. While its repetitive story mode and online glitches draw criticism, these flaws are overshadowed by its thrilling multiplayer, nostalgic fan service, and polished presentation—making it a must-play triumph for fans and newcomers alike.
83
MONSTER
Reviews
203 reviews found98
Gamers' Temple
Dec 17, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ exceeds expectations, delivering a fantastic experience for fans and newcomers alike, with impressive visuals, engaging gameplay, and a solid story mode.
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97
Gamers' Temple
Feb 20, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ exceeds expectations, delivering a fantastic experience for fans and newcomers alike, with high-quality visuals and engaging gameplay.
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96
Cheat Code Central
Jan 23, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a highly anticipated game that lives up to the hype. It offers a satisfying gameplay experience with its teaching tools, enjoyable story mode, and visually stunning graphics. It is recommended for both Dragon Ball fans and fighting game enthusiasts.
95
CGMagazine
Jan 23, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a fantastic experience that a wide audience of players are sure to enjoy, with simple gameplay and deep mechanics.
95
GamingTrend
Feb 5, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a near-perfect fighting game that caters to both casual and veteran players, with stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and enough content to satisfy any Dragon Ball fan.
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95
Everyeye.it
Jan 22, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ is a well-crafted fighting game that respects the source material, suitable for all types of players, despite some online stability concerns.
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94
Xbox Tavern
Jan 22, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ is an outstanding game that effortlessly captures the essence of the popular anime. With excellent visuals, engaging gameplay, and a captivating story mode, it is a strong contender for fighting game of the year.
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93
MondoXbox
Jan 26, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ is described as a passionate tribute to the franchise, combining solid gameplay, impressive visuals, and a compelling story, making it one of the best Dragon Ball games in recent years.
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93
Game Informer
Jan 26, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ successfully blends accessibility with depth, providing an engaging fighting experience that appeals to both casual players and fans of the franchise.
93
Generación Xbox
Jan 28, 2018
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Dragon Ball FighterZ is hailed as the best Dragon Ball game ever, successfully capturing the essence of the series while being accessible yet challenging for fighting game fans.
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