Game Review: Dragon Ball FighterZ

Believe it or not, there have been a TON of Dragon Ball Fighting games covering all (now 4) series and numerous gaming systems. So have been more popular than others, but none have seemed to capture the eye of so many gamers as FighterZ. This could be because it’s the first pure fighter the series has produced in a long time. It could be because it’s coming out during a time that Dragon Ball Super popularity is crashing Crunchyroll and Funimation servers on the regular due to demand. It could be any number of reasons but I’m sure you want to know “is it worth the hype?”. I’m here to tell you that Dragon Ball FighterZ isn’t just worth the hype, it IS the hype! Developed by Arc Systems, the team behind some of the fastest paced and flashiest fighting series out there, Dragon Ball FighterZ delivers all of the key points that have been missing from the franchise for years.

Gameplay

Gameplay is buttery smooth, but given the portfolio of Arc Systems you would expect this to be nailed down. Collision detection is on point, counters are fast and furious, and teammate support & swapping is quick. They’ve also included a plethora of tutorials to help noobs and out of practice old guys (like myself) get in to fighting shape to take on the internet. Even without online play (which was not available during the prelaunch period) there is plenty to do in game. Between practice, arcade, and3 different stories, there are many modes and missions to keep you busy and helping you forget there is a world outside.

Graphics

This is probably where the game truly shines and what had the greatest impact on crowds at E3 2017, before they even had a chance to play a demo. FighterZ benefits from all of the latest graphics advancements to make a game that looks as close to the anime source material as possible. I mean, just get a load of the video below showing the comparison of the game to iconic Dragon Ball Z fights. While they don’t do all of the wardrobe changes and tattering that you can get in the anime, the facial expressions and emotion are all there. Mid-fight animations are rock solid as well. From the fast and furious Meteor Attacks to the impressive Destructive Finishes, the extra little flourishes help turn the excitement dial up to 11.

Audio

Music and sound effect are paramount to all fighting games to ensure that it helps keep up the excitement. This is something that should be an automatic 10 for fighting games so there isn’t much to be said here. There is one bit of information that is worth noting though; while allowing you to select between Japanese and American voice actors is already a staple in most adaptation games, FighterZ does give hardcore Dragon Ball fans an expected present. By this I mean the recorded voice of Hiromi Tsuru in one of her last audio recordings before her sudden & tragic death in November of 2017. Hiromi has been a fixture in anime since the 70’s but is most notably known as the voice of Bulma, one of the only characters to be in the entirety of the Dragon Ball series since it’s creation in 1986.

All-in-all Dragon Ball FighterZ is a solid game that opens up 2018 with a bang. This is a must purchase for virtually anyone with a PS4 or XB1.

Reblogged with permission from ibeatitfirst.com

Original article https://ibeatitfirst.com/review/dragon-ball-fighterz/

A Review of Super Mario Odyssey

We’re back and with exciting Mario news!

Need new ideas for children’s parties? With the Super Mario Odyssey release, no need to look any further! It’s too much fun to put it down! What is this game about you ask? Is it Princess Peach? Yup, you guessed it! Princess Peach managed to get nabbed again! With each stage, you make your way through mazes and new opponents. We had a ton of fun “researching” this game! You can find it on Amazon, Ebay, Best Buy, and GameStop!

Remember to explore the other challenges that could be hidden at these levels. This game has some similarities to the original Mario games but have way more mini levels! Even though there are a bunch of hidden challenges, one of the hardest parts of this game is its non-stop madness! Make sure to check out this game when looking for new birthday games!

Cappy

Mario got a new companion in this installment: Cappy. With the help of Cappy, you can turn into all kinds of animals and even the walking bombs! Can you turn into a giant stack of Goombas? YUP!

Triple Jumping

Do you remember when double jumping was a revolutionary thing? We do too which is why we are excited to play this new game which features a triple jump!

Have a different gameplay style?

With this game, you can play your way! Jump on every Goomba you see or avoid all the walking bombs, it’s up to you! If you liked the Zelda games, then you’ll love this one with your ability to explore different stages! We were also happy with this Assassins Creed like gameplay style. It also reminds us of the old Spiderman games as Mario roams through the city bouncing on cars and people’s heads.

Finished the game?

There are alternate endings! With 120 “Moons” which are pretty much the equivalent of harder to collect coins, you can beat the game but if you collect 500 Moons, you get to experience the real ending! Keep in mind, 500 is a lot of Moons when the game only has 830 of them!

Generally, when you beat a game, it gets dull. Well not with this one! When you beat this game, the challenges get even harder! This game introducing all new ideas and we love them! They incorporate these ideas intuitively and with child gameplay in mind. In this game, you can collect a bundle of Moons and it is a bundle of fun.

Enjoyed our review?

We hope so! When looking for birthday party ideas in Jacksonville FL, keep our game truck in mind! Whether it’s party games for kids or an awesome game of laser tag, GameTruck takes care of it all! We provide competitive video game bus prices and excellence when throwing your child a game truck birthday party! For more information visit GameTruck Jacksonville

E3 2017 – GameTruck Approved Games

GameTruck was on hand at E3 2017.

As with previous years we handed out GameTruck Approved awards to those games that promote what we hold near and dear to our hearts; Couch Co-Op games. With the constant gearing towards online multiplayer, the simple aspect of having your friends over for hours of gaming has started to fall to the wayside. As the millions of our event-goers know, GameTruck is all about playing together with your friends, not over the internet but face to face. While online gaming is fun, it just doesn’t give you the same feeling of camaraderie that you get while sharing a screen/couch with a friend. Without further ado, the E3 2017 GameTruck Approved games are:

Dragon Ball Fighter Z

After many years, the Dragon Ball series has finally made it’s return to the fighting game arena. Boasting 1v1 battles with teams of 3, Dragon Ball Fighter Z delivers a fast paced fighting game that stays true to it’s roots. Look for Dragon Ball Fighter Z early 2018 on PS4 and XBox One.

FIFA 2018 for Nintendo Switch

While this award could go to the FIFA series as a whole, the true essence of playing together is found most in the version made for the Nintendo Switch. Allowing players to wirelessly connect consoles together via Ad-hoc is something that has been missing from the franchise. Not to mention that now you can play a round of FIFA while waiting for a Soccer game to start. Look for FIFA to drop on all major consoles September 2017.

Knack 2

The original Knack struck a cord with many gamers but multiplayer was only available on Easy Mode. It seems Sony took some of the criticism to heart and made a full fledged multiplayer game. Knack 2 has all of the crazy growing and shrinking of the first game, but now you and a friend can beat the game together on any skill level. Look for Knack 2 on PS4 this September 2017.

Splatoon 2

Splatoon was a fun game that had a lot of things going for it. It was fun, vibrant, and full of crazy characters. While it found a great home with online multiplayer, it was severally lacking on the local play front. Enter Splatoon 2, a game that’s built from the ground up to allow large local play. Heck, they’ve even built in many mechanics for it to branch into a major eSports contender. Splatoon 2 hits the Nintendo Switch on 7/21/2017.

ARMS

Nintendo wanted to make a new fighting game to compliment it’s current behemoth Super Smash Bros. While Super Smash Bros has ruled the roost for fighting games on Nintendo Consoles, allowing furious paced 8 player battle royales, ARMS sticks to a more traditional 1v1 platform. Allowing a myriad of different play mechanics, players are sure to find a mode that fits any situation. ARMS dropped onto the Nintendo Switch the day after E3 2017 ended, so grab a copy today.

NASCAR Heat 2

With so many racing titles out there trying to push the envelope of resolution and detail, it’s very easy to lose site of couch multiplayer. While yes NASCAR Heat 2 will support a whopping 40 person online race, it will also support 2 player split-screen as well. If you’re a NASCAR fan, or just a regular race game fan, this is the game for you. Look for NASCAR Heat 2 to hit the PS4 and XBone One September 2017.

PlayLink for PS4

PlayLink is a very obscure gaming platform for the PS4 that did not get much fanfare around it. However, everything that it’s trying to achieve is exactly what GameTruck is looking for. PlayLink is a means of getting everyone in the room to interact together through game, utilizing what everyone these days seems to have as their means of control, a smart phone. There is so much going on with PlayLink that it’s best if you watch the video below.

The Metronomicon

The E3 Indiecade section usually has 1 or 2 bright gems in it each year and this year was no different. The Metronomicon is a very interesting type of game, part RPG and part rythm game, that allow up to 4 players to play simultaneously. If nothing else, they deserve an honorable mention for giving us a use for those darned gaming guitars. Look for The Metronomicon on PS4 and XBox One Q3 2017.

Lego Marvel Superheroes 2

Do you like Lego? Do you like Marvel? Well, this game should be a no brainer then. With the most extensive list of super heroes yet, Lego Marven Superheroes 2 is easily a must buy. Need more to entice you? Then I have 3 words for you… I AM GROOT! Lego Marvel Superheroes 2 drops on Nintendo Switch, PS4, and XBox One 11/14/2017.

Honorable Mention

Super Mario Odyssey

While yes they haven’t shown any multiplayer capabilities, Super Mario Odyssey was easily one of the best games we played at E3 2017. From Mario becoming almost anyone, so seamless 3D-2D-3D transitions, this game amazed us all! Heck, there is even a mode that let’s you play co-op, with the second player controlling Cappy. Look for Super Mario Odyssey on Nintendo Switch 10/27/2017.