So I bought Shin Budokai Another Road...

Bardock the Mexican · Post by **Bardock the Mexican** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:01 pm

...And all I got was this lousy t-shirt. No, that's not what happened. I did do somthing I don't usually do and I don't regret it for one minute. I got a PSP and the game Shin Budokai. For all those of you who care, it's pretty good considering it's made off the American version of DBZ (dialogue wise and story wise). For the portable size of the PSP this game shows that it can do some impressive stuff. The only complaint I have is that until I figured out you can skip the dialogue with the start button I was going through a lot of text. The load screens are also a bit of a pain, but one can understand why they are there. So after all that, I have to say that I had no other problems with the game as it has overall good play to it. Each character looks good and has a nice assortment of ki abilities that vary the combat without having two characters whose attacks look alike. Goku has his Kamehameha and the Genkidama while other characters have attacks specific to them. The names of the attacks are however the ones used by Funimation so there is no Japanese names. I only put them in because they are the ones I know them as.
The Scores:
Graphics:9 out of 10
Reason: The PSP has power and it can do a lot with what it's got, though not a full 10 in this area.
Sound:8.5 out of 10
Interesting background music and sound effects are good. The catchphrases the characters say during combat is repetitive at best and gets redundant after a while.
Main Game: 9 out of 10
When you play story mode try to go into it with an open mind as this is different than the original storyline (hence the title Another Road) and will be different. Some stuff will be thinly disguised attempts at filler. I mean, I am not going to say which parts are badly done but it's in the beginning.
BUUUT WAIITT...there's more! In overworld mode (when you are flying over earth's surface) you can see character's arms flailing as NPCs fight enemies. It's cool when you see what I mean.

wannywan · Post by **wannywan** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:05 pm

Is it worth buying a PSP for?

I'm thinking of doing this too.

Conan the SSJ · Post by **Conan the SSJ** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 5:42 pm

I personally think both Shin Budokai games combined are worth getting a PsP by now, since the games offer unique playable aspects in the same style as Budokai 3 with aspects borrowed from the Sparking! series. Not just that, but the awesome original story modes we get in both games are alone worth getting them to play, with the first game giving us such a fun new spin on the movie 12 story-line and Another Road delving into the completely original story of Trunks' future with Majin Buu. Seriously, a lot of us get very tired of the same exact DBZ story (not that we don't love it) after ... 5 Ps2 games already? I mean, outside of small what-ifs here or there, only Budokai 2 and Super DBZ offered something different in terms of story mode, and in Super DBZ's case, we didn't even need a story mode to enjoy the game. With the Shin Budokai games, Dimps seem to finally take the g**-damned hint that some of us are just tired of the same lengthy story.

Sooner than later, a PsP will be mine~

fps_anth · Post by **fps_anth** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:24 pm

I'm not gonna lie. If I ever get a PSP, it's going to be for playing NES, SNES and Genesis games on.

Who am I kidding, I'd probably buy the DBZ games too.

Anonymous Friend · Post by **Anonymous Friend** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:20 pm

Our favorite game reviews at X-Play gave it a 3 out of 5 in a recent show.

But from what I've heard about it it probably deserved it. They really need a port of the two games to the PS2. I don't care if they called it Budokai 4.

Thanos · Post by **Thanos** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 2:00 am

Eh, I made the mistake of buying Shin Budokai 2. And frankly... I'd call it Shin Budokai 1 with a shittier story mode and a couple new characters. Honestly, There's no sense in paying the extra $25 for new characters, not to mention the awful story mode. Trust me. Aside from those two things, there is NOTHING about the game that's new or interesting. The characters have the same moves, sounds, the music is the same (aside from a few new tracks, but I'm tired of hearing them for the sixth time

), and the graphics are no different either. Future Gohan is boring, Metal Coola is boring, not only is the story mode bad, but the battles can be extremely hard and maddening. If the story mode's problems aren't enough, its original story is laughable and it feels like there's something missing - the regular story. The "What-If" about Trunks that the game is based around is no better than DBZ fanfics I wrote when I was twelve. Not only do you have lame things like Babidi using Majin mind control on Vegeta again, but you have him controlling Piccolo as well. Somehow, I got the feeling I was playing a game pirated by a couple kids who put in their wet dream of Gohan as a teenager meeting himself as a kid - not to mention the fact that it seemed like a piss-poor excuse of bringing back characters from the previous game that have no real role in the story other than being in the background (remember that bullshit about previous characters from DBZ archs coming back through the weird universal shift in the first game form Janemba? It's like that... but worse.) Seriously... it's just not believable - even for a Dragon Ball Z storyline. It's just a mess. I just didn't understand why I was fighting not only Metal Coola, but regular Coola as well. Heh, well, I could go on, but I think I've said enough. Stay away from it. Buy the much better prequel for $25 cheaper! Zing!

Sebastian (SB) · Post by **Sebastian (SB)** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 2:16 am

I don't think we need the original story for the...uh....6th time. Even if it is as bad as you say, at least it's something.

Conan the SSJ · Post by **Conan the SSJ** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 2:52 am

Sebastian (SB) wrote:I don't think we need the original story for the...uh....6th time. Even if it is as bad as you say, at least it's something.

Agreed. Thanos, if you want the original story, go to Budokai, Sagas, Budokai 3, Sparking!, or NEO for that (maybe Budokai 2 also, though that thankfully takes many liberties). Too many games have done the same old story over and over, so (in my opinion) it's about damn time we got something refreshing and original. I dunno why you can't get into it, but I think the reason you have dislike for it is because you may not've gone into it with an open mind. Unless I misinterpreted something in your post, you were apparently expecting something of the "regular" story we've seen half-a dozen times in the aforementioned Ps2 games, yet this game was advertised from the start as having an all new original take on the DBZ universe. If that's something you have no desire for or interest in, then why bother getting the game?

caejones · Post by **caejones** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 5:40 am

Sounded to me like he wasn't complaining about the new story so much as its lack of ... feeling like the series? And being poorly written just to maximize on what battles the game could include?

... or not.

... And off topic, it bugs me to no end that Cell Saga Gohan is called "Teen". Even with the RoSaT in the Dub, he's hardly pre-teen. . . Of course I'm the one who was insulted when the career dude came into the Career Orientations class in 8th grade and said "Notice I didn't call you kids..."

Thanos · Post by **Thanos** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 1:53 pm

Conan the SSJ wrote:
Sebastian (SB) wrote:I don't think we need the original story for the...uh....6th time. Even if it is as bad as you say, at least it's something.
Agreed. Thanos, if you want the original story, go to Budokai, Sagas, Budokai 3, Sparking!, or NEO for that (maybe Budokai 2 also, though that thankfully takes many liberties). Too many games have done the same old story over and over, so (in my opinion) it's about damn time we got something refreshing and original. I dunno why you can't get into it, but I think the reason you have dislike for it is because you may not've gone into it with an open mind. Unless I misinterpreted something in your post, you were apparently expecting something of the "regular" story we've seen half-a dozen times in the aforementioned Ps2 games, yet this game was advertised from the start as having an all new original take on the DBZ universe. If that's something you have no desire for or interest in, then why bother getting the game?

I think you're missing the point.

I'm all for original storylines, as long as they're well done. I'd actually rather play the original storyline than this crap. And to be honest, not only does it suck, but it feels a lot like a retread of the Buu Saga. Dabura and Babidi are present, minds are controlled, etc.

If I want an original story, I'd rather have something revolving around Bardock's life on Planet Vegeta, young Muten Roshi's adventures, maybe even something far in the future. But honestly, this storyline could've easily been in Sparking! NEO, and it would be just written off by the fans as just another "What-If" storyline... there's nothing that sets it apart from any others. In fact, it's actually a lot less original than the What-If in NEO when Raditz loses his memory or the one where Vegeta and Zarbon team up. Having two of the same character from different timelines is something that just isn't plausible or smart to put in something.

chibitrunks1987 · Post by **chibitrunks1987** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 3:53 pm

Graphics: 8
Sound: 9
Gameplay: 7.75

Bura · Post by **Bura** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:19 pm

I recently purchased a PSP too (slim version) along with Shin Budoukai: Another Road, and I'm not dissapointed at all. It's awesome that you have japanese voices as an option and that there's a new storyline (which was mostly about my dear Trunks). I do think there aren't that many characters available, but that's only because I'm used to the PS2 games of DBZ.

Detective X · Post by **Detective X** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:09 am

The single saving grace for Shin Budokai is the 3D dashing. Aside from that, it's a poor game. I hate watered down ports of console games.

Best thing Dimps could do now is give us Budokai 4 with everything that made Budokai 3 great plus Shin Budokai's 3D dashing.

Only game worth buying a PSP for is Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. For everything else? Mod your PSP and... well... you know.

Thanos6 · Post by **Thanos6** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:38 am

I haven't played this, as I don't have a PSP, but reading about it, two big negatives stand out.

1.) The story sounds ridiculous. It starts off well enough, with Mirai Trunks getting help from the past, but almost immediately takes a turn for the loony (e.g. Cooler and Broly teaming up; Z-fighter clones). Also, way too many things that are exact repeats of the original Buu saga. The great Son family bias also plays in for the ending.

2) "Mystic Future Gohan." I understand the sentiment, but for God's sake, let Mirai Trunks get that, the story of that timeline is one with HIM as the main character and hero, and Gohan in an old mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi type role. "Mystic Mirai Trunks" would have been so flippin' cool. He doesn't even get SS2!

Chuquita · Post by **Chuquita** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:06 am

The original Shin Budoukai had Vegeta absorbing a genki dama.
No idea how that's possible.

The Shin Budoukai 1's script was hilarious in its nonsensicalness. I haven't read 2 yet though. (*Doesn't own a psp*)

Thanos6 · Post by **Thanos6** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:13 am

I actually enjoyed SB1's script. It was so free-wheeling and fun (and, yes, goofy).

Chuquita · Post by **Chuquita** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:38 am

Thanos6 wrote:I actually enjoyed SB1's script. It was so free-wheeling and fun (and, yes, goofy).

I loved how Vegeta seemed to over-exaggerate things even more than usual (its possible).

Vegeta: Wait, Kakarot!...He's gone...
Gotenks: Wha...Dad!
Vegeta: Gotenks...
Gotenks: That was that Pikkon guy just now. Where'd he take dad?
Vegeta: To hell. He went to the afterlife.
Gotenks: What, did dad die again?
Vegeta: No, not this time. Kakarot...
Krillin: Oh, Vegeta. And Gotenks too.
Have you seen Goku? Did he go off with Instant Transmission again?
Vegeta: Excellent! Krillin! Come and kill me now! Hurry!
Krillin: Whaaat?! H-Hold on!
Vegeta: Kakarot went to hell! I'm going after him, so I have to die!
Krillin: W-Wait Vegeta! I can't do that while your son is watching!
Vegeta: Grr!
Krillin: Don't be so hasty. He could be back any minute, and...
Vegeta: Or he could've been kidnapped...
Krillin: If you want to go that badly, help look for Dragon Balls.
Vegeta: Yes, I suppose we could do it that way.

Vegeta: Damn...At this rate I'll have to handle things myself...
*gasp* *cough*...!
Shut up, Vegeta! It's not over - not without beating Kakarot!
*GASP!*
Yeah, that's right...
Gohan: Vegeta...
Vegeta: But now I'm starting to hate myself.

And him being jealous of Pikkon.

Pikkon: I'm looking for Goku. If you know, I want you to tell me.
My name is Pikkon. I was Goku's rival in the other world.
Vegeta: Ah. You think you're Kakarot's rival, eh?
He can have all the friends he wants, but I'M his rival!

Vegeta: That was a good attack. Even if you are a small fry.
That was enough for a warm-up before the main attraction.
Pikkon: This isn't the time for that!
Vegeta: Now, let's go! Don't go boasting that you're Kakarot's rival!
Pikkon: I guess we'll just have to fight?

Tsukento · Post by **Tsukento** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 3:45 am

Yeah, the stories don't sound all that great, but Shin Budokai's story is rather funny in a ridiculous way. If anything, I prefer the Sparking! what-if stories. Namely in NEO, like Zarbon planning to betray Freeza.

Thanos6 · Post by **Thanos6** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:34 am

Maybe it was me, but Vegeta actually seemed to be the main character, at least from reading the script.

Some of the branching choices were nice, such as Vegeta choosing between worrying about Trunks and following him, or deciding he and Goten can handle things themselves.

Vegeta had a very nice bit when, thanks to plot device, he fought Majin Vegeta:

Vegeta: Take this! You're every bit as bound; by your Saiyan pride! Pride is
something you decide on your own, and it' your own strength! On my pride as a
Saiyan, and as a citizen of Earth... And my pride in myself, I won't lose to
anyone when it comes to pride! You would call my hopes chains and weights?!

And, quite frankly, this is gold:

Gohan: H-Huh? That's weird...Why haven't I transformed? Oh! Mom did the laundry
yesterday! It must not be dry yet... I have another change over at Videl's
place... S-Sorry about that! Looks like I can't do it today...
Frieza: It's okay...
Gohan: Anyway, cheer up Frieza! Here I come!
Frieza: I am NOT doing any bad comedy routines with you. Time for you to die!

I don't know which is funnier; Freeza saying "It's okay" or the quiet admission that Gohan is sleeping with Videl.

Supa Saiya-Jin Tullece · Post by **Supa Saiya-Jin Tullece** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:58 am

Conan the SSJ wrote:
Sebastian (SB) wrote:I don't think we need the original story for the...uh....6th time. Even if it is as bad as you say, at least it's something.
Agreed. Thanos, if you want the original story, go to Budokai, Sagas, Budokai 3, Sparking!, or NEO for that (maybe Budokai 2 also, though that thankfully takes many liberties).

LOL. Oh God, that was funny.

Kanzenshuu

So I bought Shin Budokai Another Road...

So I bought Shin Budokai Another Road...

My ratings