Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu

Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu, released in Japan as Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Gokū Densetsu (ドラゴン ボール ゼット 遥かなる 悟空 伝説, Doragon Bōru Zetto Harukanaru Gokū Densetsu), is a role-playing game for the Nintendo DS.

Story

It begins at the start of the Saiyan Saga and continues until the end of the Cell Games Saga.

Gameplay

Players choose from one of four main characters, Son Goku, Son Gohan, Piccolo, or Vegeta. Every character from the playable sagas appears, but only as either enemies or cards. Each mission is usually broken down into a few key objectives and events. The game is based on character levels, therefore the more fights you win then the more experience you receive to level up, which in turn makes your attacks stronger. On the map screen, the Power rating determines how many spaces you can move. In battle, the Power rating determines the winner of a battle. You can also combine cards to create combination effects. For example, if you have 3 cards with a Power rating of 7, you can combine these to create a card with a power rating of 21, which will most likely outdo your opponent's card. You can also combine Defense rating in the same way. You move around the game in a board game-like manner.

There is also a Multiplayer mode in the game which uses local Wi-Fi to let you duel against a human opponent.

Types and effects of cards

Energy Cards are used for everything you do in the game. They have three values: Power, Guard, and Action.

The Power rating of a card is represented by the number of stars located in a Dragon Ball drawn on the card, one being the weakest and seven the second most powerful (the attack level goes from 1 star to 7 stars, with the next level, Z, being the strongest).

The Defense rating works the same way as the Power rating.

Energy Cards have eight Action types:

• Strike Card: On the map screen, it lets you attack that turn. In battle, it lets you attack on your own.
• Hide Card: On the map screen, it lets you hide from an opponent after moving. In battle, it lets you try to escape from an opponent.
• Training Card: On the map screen, it lets you increase your defense ability for one turn. In battle, it lets you add the Guard rating of a card to another card.
• Reverse Card: On the map screen, it lets you discard all of the Energy Cards in your hand and draw a new hand from the deck. In battle, it lets you swap Power rating with your opponent's if your Power rating is lower.
• Energy Card: On the map screen, it lets you increase the power of your attacks for one turn. In battle, it lets you add the Power rating of a card to another card.
• Event Card: On the map screen, it lets you call your friends who can give you items and such. In battle, it lets you call your friends to help out by attacking the enemy.
• Use Card: On the map screen, it lets you use your items. In battle, it lets you use the items you are carrying.
• Z Card: On the map screen, they can act as any Action type. In battle, they can act as any Action type.

Characters

Playable characters

Four characters are available with their own story. Their outfits change frequently to match what they look like during the different sagas.

• Son Goku
• Son Gohan
• Piccolo
• Vegeta (Must be unlocked)

Non-playable characters

These characters are used with Event Cards. They are listed in order of weakest to strongest. Most of them usually have a role in the story.

Map screen

• Launch (Good)
• Oolong and Puar
• Bulma's Mother
• Bulma
• Uranai Baba
• Karin
• Mister Popo
• Kami

Battle

• Launch (Bad)
• Chichi
• Chaozu
• Muten Roshi
• Yajirobe
• Yamucha
• Kuririn
• Tenshinhan
• Saibaiman
• Piccolo
• Son Goku

Enemy characters

Major characters you have to fight against are known as bosses. The main bosses are Raditz, Nappa, Vegeta, Freeza, the Ginyu Force, the Artificial Humans, and Cell, although there are many other minor enemies you may encounter along the way depending on the character you are playing as and the part of the story you have reached.

Other characters

Every character who appears from the start of the Saiyan Saga to the end of the Cell Games Saga appears in the game as a non-playable character.

Reception

Reception in Japan was good. It was near the top of the best selling charts, and reviews were positive or mixed, with only a few negative. Critics were glad not to see a complex fighting game like Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, while a little disappointed at the simplistic gameplay.

In America, the game was not as popular, but came in third place for its first week of release only below Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl. Critics were glad to see a simple RPG and praised it for how close it followed the story and how it was a good card game. Most of the criticism was based on the simplistic gameplay, difficulty, and repetivity.

• Game Vortex: 88/100
• Gamers Temple: 78/100
• IGN: 75/100
• Worth Playing: 70/100
• PALGN: 65/100
• G4 TV: 60/100
• Cheat Code Central: 60/100
• GameSpot: 56/100

Gallery

External links

• Official site (English)