"Sparking! ZERO" Official Announcement, Pre-, & Post-Release Discussion Thread

[supersaiyamangod]

So it doesn’t cover all of the story beats within reason with this game.

[miguelnuva1]

I won't claim it got rushed but I have to think it had to be released now in order to coincide with the release of Daima. That may explain some of the missing oddities.

Daima's release is definitely one reason for the game having some unfinished content. Another thing to remember is that the game started development in 2018, which means the development cycle could've easily been shuffled around during the pandemic back in 2020. If that whole prediciment hadn't had occured, there's a very good chance this game would've launched with a roster of over 200 characters, over 20 unique stages, and a more fleshed-out local multiplayer.

Despite that, I still like the game that we got, but it does make you wonder...

It doesn't have local player vs player because they didn't plan one from the start. COVID slowed a lot down but people were still able to work from home and Japan didn't lockdown during the pandemic like the US did.

Maybe a couple of characters weren't finished or held off for DLC but this game I don't feel is missing much content. One reason I won't Zero 2 instead of DLC is to fix some of these issues like local multiplayer.

[Rinsankajugin]

It doesn't have local player vs player because they didn't plan one from the start. COVID slowed a lot down but people were still able to work from home and Japan didn't lockdown during the pandemic like the US did.

Maybe a couple of characters weren't finished or held off for DLC but this game I don't feel is missing much content. One reason I won't Zero 2 instead of DLC is to fix some of these issues like local multiplayer.

Oh yeah, I know this game is already stacked to the brim with content as is, I'm just giving assumed reasons for why some of the datamined content never made it to launch.

That said, I'm pretty sure we're not getting a sequel to this game. With this game making so much money so quickly, and Bamco bleeding so much money at the same time, they're going to milk this game for as much DLC as possible to make up for the recent cancellations. After all, Xenoverse 2 is almost a decade old and STILL getting more DLC as we speak.

[tinlunlau]

Apparently, there is a group of diehard fans in Hong Kong attempting to correcting Bandai's mistakes with the character names. Bandai uses neither the Hong Kong or Taiwanese localized names in their Chinese releases of their DBZ games. Unfortunately, this is only on PC.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/YGhVQK5AJwFW9fP5/

[miguelnuva1]

It doesn't have local player vs player because they didn't plan one from the start. COVID slowed a lot down but people were still able to work from home and Japan didn't lockdown during the pandemic like the US did.

Maybe a couple of characters weren't finished or held off for DLC but this game I don't feel is missing much content. One reason I won't Zero 2 instead of DLC is to fix some of these issues like local multiplayer.

Oh yeah, I know this game is already stacked to the brim with content as is, I'm just giving assumed reasons for why some of the datamined content never made it to launch.

That said, I'm pretty sure we're not getting a sequel to this game. With this game making so much money so quickly, and Bamco bleeding so much money at the same time, they're going to milk this game for as much DLC as possible to make up for the recent cancellations. After all, Xenoverse 2 is almost a decade old and STILL getting more DLC as we speak.

I agree on dlc as Xenoverse has set a bar for how long games can be supported.

If they can add outfits, more stages and smaller local player vs player stages that will shut me up real quick about a sequel and I'll buy all the dlc.

[90sDBZ]

I have to say I've been loving the game so far.

I just got done finishing off the last of the story episodes last night. I'm actually glad it glazes over certain parts of the story, as I've played through Z plenty of times at this point.

For example, it was nice starting up Gohan's story and being at the Cell Games within a few minutes. The earlier Kid Gohan stuff would've been a bit more of a slog to play through.

What I've noticed is that almost everything important is covered between all the different character stories. It's a bit strange how Vegeta's story ends at Buu, but you do get the option to play his later fights during other characters episodes. Like how in the Black arc portion of Goku's story you have the option to switch Vegeta in, and his big moment against Toppo is still shown in cutscenes.

And several of the What-ifs are really well done. One of Gohan's alternate paths in particular was really satisfying to me.

Even though the story mode did cut some corners, it still took me a decent amount of time to complete it all, and the challenge of unlocking the Sparking Episodes really added to the fun.

It's also really refreshing to be able to unlock characters through gameplay in a 2024 fighting game. These days the usual method to unlock characters requires getting out your wallet. SF6 technically let's you unlock them through fight money, but it takes forever, and is deliberately limited to the daily challenges Capcom put up.

[VegettoEX]

It's also really refreshing to be able to unlock characters through gameplay in a 2024 fighting game. These days the usual method to unlock characters requires getting out your wallet. SF6 technically let's you unlock them through fight money, but it takes forever, and is deliberately limited to the daily challenges Capcom put up.

But... those are post-launch DLC characters you're talking about in Street Fighter, not base-game-launch-characters. The full roster is available unlocked from the start of the base game in Street Fighter games.

It's not like you're going to be able to unlock the upcoming Super Hero DLC characters with anything but money, so your entire premise makes zero sense here. If anything, it's the exact opposite of what you said: Street Fighter at least gives you ***A*** method of freely unlocking post-launch DLC characters that can also otherwise be acquired with cash money.

[Koitsukai]

I agree, it’s refreshing to not do the usual R-to-B thing, even though they are essentially the same beats. Not having to train with Piccolo as Gohan is nice, that’s usually a chore for me in games. Grade 2 Vegeta beating Cell and then having to fight off Trunks, and then Perfect Cell was unexpected.
It’s like pieces of a puzzle the story mode for this game, and I haven’t even completed it yet. I’m taking my sweet time.

I keep discovering new stuff, like Freeza deflecting Vegeta's ki blast with his leg like he did on Namek.

[SelfTrainedNamekian]

there are extreamly wierd decisions in this game.

first of all i noticed there is not one character that have more then 3 transformations + base form at maximum. and it might be because of the transformation sub menu where you have only 4 slots. so that means that goku (super) dosent have ssj2 and 3 while goku (end of Z) have them. and that is also why Goku UI is a seperated character? maybe. i mean. there is a remining slot where UI omen could fit and then it could have changed and then they could have changed it to a new menu where you can either go MUI or Back to base form. so either they are not using their remening slot of they cant have more then 4 forms per character (including base) or any other reason. but i double checked it in the roster select and i found no characters who have more then 3 transformations on top of their base form. goku couldent go UI at will during the TOP so maybe thats why. anyway if they did had the ability to add 4 forms on top of the base then vegeta could get his blue evolution form which he did not.

i was thinking that maybe its either memory limit, tight release to fit with daima first episode, or simply lazyness that some forms are missing. first super's broly base form. before he turned into his pseuodo-great ape one. its wierd to see that form as his base form and not his normal base form. cauliflia dosent have ssj1. she have only ssj2. but keffla does have ssj1 and ssj2. cabba as well have ssj1 and 2. btw ssj 1 and 2 looks nearly identical on both keffla and cabba

the missing first 2 forms of frost which tie in into the lack of universe 6 tournament stage which, again. i dont why they dont have it when they keep mention this arc in the stories but its just a world-tournament-like map which suppose to be relativly small and simple to make so i have no idea why they dont have it where they could have add it and also have a universe 6 tournament option to the tournament battles. yes magetta and botamo are missing but cabba,frost, and hit are still here. even if frost have only his last form which he shouldnt have in my opinion.

having goku teen from dragon ball but not having at least king piccolo his arch nemesis. i mean, bad bad decision. we dont have enough namekians in the game. we only have piccolo,nail, and slug. slug first form dosent have a skin without his helmet so its hard to see that hes a namekian unless you go giant. piccolo (early) could have gotten a giant form. he has no forms anyway. giving it to early and not his second character would make sense.

the what if special characters should be playable. if not, they could have been solved with just skins. anyway i wont go into it not to spoil

general rildo should have been a character. has 3 forms all are cool with uniqe abilites and moves. got big amount of screen time on GT, the first vilian who actually challanged goku. dr myu best commander. why he wasent in BT3? i dont know. but they shouldnt thought in a way that if a character was not in BT3 we will not make him in SZ for "nostalgia". this is plain nonsense.

other gt characters who were cut like nova shenron. not only he should have been in the game but the ice shenron should have been as well. and super 17 too. but thats a given.

and most defnietly more TOP characters like the kamen rider lookalike from universe 3. that one was cool. maybe some other characters from universe 3 who could transform into anilaza. the trio of danger should have been in the game, all 3, not only bergamo. usually if there is a group then this entire group would be in the game or the most important ones. pride troopers,ginyu force,love triangle from universe 2, and trio of dangers should have been as well. basil kicks and lavender poison could have been great uniqe playstyles. bergamo needed a giant form. and also remember ribrianne giant form? yeha that too.

people have said that there would be a lot of DLC'S but i doubt there will be more characters then the 3 DLC'S announced. i think maybe there would be only OG dragon ball DLC and some cosmetic dlc's of costumes and such.

with the sales getting big on SZ i think they would prefer to make another sparking game in 4-5 years and that one would probably be very polished with maybe over 230 characters or more.

[miguelnuva1]

Vegeta Mini and Golorio got shown today at NYCC, just renders.

[90sDBZ]

But... those are post-launch DLC characters you're talking about in Street Fighter, not base-game-launch-characters. The full roster is available unlocked from the start of the base game in Street Fighter games.

It's not like you're going to be able to unlock the upcoming Super Hero DLC characters with anything but money, so your entire premise makes zero sense here. If anything, it's the exact opposite of what you said: Street Fighter at least gives you ***A*** method of freely unlocking post-launch DLC characters that can also otherwise be acquired with cash money.

I get why modern fighting games need to charge for DLC. I just kind of miss the fun of unlocking stuff through gameplay.

And in fairness Sparking Zero has been pretty damn generous with its base roster. Yes they mostly all play the same, but there's a lot of content already in this game they could've easily held back for DLC. They could've easily made the GT and movie characters DLC, and the game would've still sold well.

Going back to the SF6 example, yes characters take time and resources to develop, although the base roster was pretty limited compared to games like Tekken 8. A lot of people are still missing their favourites. And while you can eventually unlock characters yourself, the game is deliberately very tight handed with drive tickets. You have to be on the ball with booting the game up, or risk missing your chance.

[Anonymous Friend]

But... those are post-launch DLC characters you're talking about in Street Fighter, not base-game-launch-characters. The full roster is available unlocked from the start of the base game in Street Fighter games.

It's not like you're going to be able to unlock the upcoming Super Hero DLC characters with anything but money, so your entire premise makes zero sense here. If anything, it's the exact opposite of what you said: Street Fighter at least gives you ***A*** method of freely unlocking post-launch DLC characters that can also otherwise be acquired with cash money.

I get why modern fighting games need to charge for DLC. I just kind of miss the fun of unlocking stuff through gameplay.

And in fairness Sparking Zero has been pretty damn generous with its base roster. Yes they mostly all play the same, but there's a lot of content already in this game they could've easily held back for DLC. They could've easily made the GT and movie characters DLC, and the game would've still sold well.

Going back to the SF6 example, yes characters take time and resources to develop, although the base roster was pretty limited compared to games like Tekken 8. A lot of people are still missing their favourites. And while you can eventually unlock characters yourself, the game is deliberately very tight handed with drive tickets. You have to be on the ball with booting the game up, or risk missing your chance.

Traditional fighting games are multiplayer games with things you can do by alone. Sparking, and pretty much all arena fighters, are single player games with a vs Human feature.

Back when fighting games made their resurgence in the late 00s, many fighters still had unlockable characters. The problem was that people were not happy having to spend hours playing with characters they didn't care about, against often times unfair and cheating AI, just to unlock and be able to use the ones they did. And if someone was setting up a tournament, they would have to make sure to bring, and keep track of, a personal memory card. Or someone was going to have to spend those hours unlocking all characters beforehand at each event. This was especially true for the online era where lots of people want to hop online and fight people day one.

Unlocks have basically switched to cosmetics like costumes, colors, titles, banners, stages, and such.

And while anime arena fighters do have people hopping online day one, the primary focus of these games is the single player experience.

[Jord]

FighterZ did have 3 unlockable characters.
I myself prefer to have the whole roster unlocked from the get to as to prevent Marvel vs Capcom 2 tedium.

[Neo-Makaiōshin]

https://x.com/dragonballgames/status/18 ... 0097353201

An update patch for #DBSZ is planned for around late October and will include:

• Improvement of an issue where some controls become unresponsive during online matches when classic controls are selected
• Adjustment of difficulty levels when playing certain stages in Episode Battle on lower difficulty settings
• Adjustment of Yajirobe’s stats
• Improved operational stability

[GTx10]

No patch to fix that game erasing glitch? I regularly turn off my ps5 when not in use and I'm honestly afraid to turn it back on due to the glitch.

[Koitsukai]

Anybody knows where I can get an official or more detailed explanation as to what those non-special/ultimate attacks do? like those that buff up the character with little flames or something right under the ki bar?

[FiReFTW]

Anybody knows where I can get an official or more detailed explanation as to what those non-special/ultimate attacks do? like those that buff up the character with little flames or something right under the ki bar?

When during a match you press the select/pause and go under explanation of controls and ur gonna have ur moveset on your character and all of them explained.

[Koitsukai]

Thanks, I'll check it out!

[KorgDTR2000]

The story mode is definitely the weak spot for me. The presentation just sucks. I hate having to click through dialog in a cut scene (FighterZ did the same thing).

Lack of OG DB representation is a major low point for me as well. The roster is really inconsistent. Some characters are designed with lavish detail in homage to the source material, others feel slapped together. Tenshinhan is a good example of the latter. Two of his three special attacks are tri-beam?

As I have been for almost 20 years, I am puzzled by how Vegeta is delineated across eras. Goku makes sense: Early, Mid and End. Really straightforward. Vegeta is Scouter-Early-End, and the way its split up still bothers me. IMO, Vegeta (Scouter) should be Vegeta (Early) and be based solely on the Saiyan arc. Vegeta (Early) (formerly Second Form) should be Vegeta (Mid) and cover the Namek and Cell arcs. Vegeta had so many great fights in his first two arcs that his moveset in the game is pretty disappointing. And SSJ4 should be a transformation for Vegeta (End), with his GT clothes being an alt. costume.

[FortuneSSJ]

There's is a mod for PC users that allows local multiplayer to be played in any stage and not just Time Chamber.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkCgrqYjAq4

I've been hearing the reason why consoles are restricted is because Xbox can't handle it. If that's true it's not fair that PS5 users are being screwed because of that.