Hey guys! Let's dive into the world of Dragon Ball: The Breakers! This isn't your typical Dragon Ball fighting game; it's an asymmetrical multiplayer survival game where seven ordinary citizens, known as Survivors, face off against an iconic Dragon Ball villain, the Raider. Think Dead by Daylight meets Dragon Ball, and you're on the right track. The gameplay is all about teamwork, strategy, and a little bit of luck as you try to outwit and escape a super-powered foe. Whether you're a die-hard Dragon Ball fan or just love a good survival game, The Breakers offers a unique and thrilling experience.

What is Dragon Ball: The Breakers?

Dragon Ball: The Breakers flips the script on the classic Dragon Ball formula. Instead of playing as Goku or Vegeta, you step into the shoes of regular people caught in a temporal seam. These Survivors must use their wits and whatever resources they can find to survive against a Raider – villains like Frieza, Cell, or Buu. The core gameplay loop involves activating the Super Time Machine to escape, but the Raider will do everything in their power to stop you. You need to find keys to power up the machine while avoiding the Raider's relentless pursuit. As a Survivor, you can find items, rescue civilians, and even temporarily transform into a Z fighter to mount a desperate counterattack.

The asymmetrical multiplayer aspect is what makes Dragon Ball: The Breakers so compelling. Each match is a tense cat-and-mouse game where the Raider's overwhelming power is balanced by the Survivors' numbers and resourcefulness. Gameplay as a Survivor involves stealth, communication, and strategic use of the environment. You'll need to work together to find power keys, activate the Super Time Machine, and protect each other from the Raider. Meanwhile, the Raider player is on a power trip, evolving and growing stronger as they eliminate Survivors and destroy areas of the map. This dynamic creates intense and unpredictable matches where anything can happen.

Bandai Namco developed and published Dragon Ball: The Breakers. It was designed to offer a fresh take on the Dragon Ball universe, moving away from traditional fighting games to provide a more strategic and suspenseful experience. The game's concept originated from the desire to explore the vulnerability of ordinary people in the face of overwhelming power, a theme often present in the Dragon Ball series but rarely explored in its games. The Breakers stands out by focusing on survival and teamwork rather than direct combat between super-powered characters.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

The heart of Dragon Ball: The Breakers gameplay lies in its asymmetrical structure. Seven Survivors must coordinate to activate the Super Time Machine and escape the Temporal Seam, while one Raider seeks to eliminate them all. This setup creates a unique blend of stealth, strategy, and action.

Survivor Gameplay

As a Survivor, your primary objective is to power up and activate the Super Time Machine. This involves locating and placing power keys scattered around the map. Each key requires a certain amount of time to set, leaving you vulnerable to attack. Teamwork is crucial, as Survivors can protect each other while placing keys or revive fallen allies. You can also rescue civilians scattered around the map to earn valuable resources. These resources can be used to purchase items from vending machines, such as weapons, traps, and transformation devices.

Survivors aren't entirely defenseless. They can find Dragon Balls to summon Shenron and gain a powerful wish, or use Transpheres to temporarily transform into Z Fighters like Goku or Vegeta. These transformations provide a significant boost in combat ability, allowing Survivors to fight back against the Raider, but they are temporary and require careful management. Effective Survivor gameplay relies on communication, resource management, and knowing when to fight and when to flee.

Raider Gameplay

Playing as the Raider is a completely different experience. You start as a weaker form of the villain (e.g., Cell in his larva state) and must evolve by absorbing civilians and defeating Survivors. As you evolve, you gain new abilities and become increasingly powerful. Your goal is to eliminate all Survivors and destroy the Super Time Machine before it can be activated.

Raiders have unique abilities that allow them to track down Survivors, such as ki sensing and area destruction. They can also set traps and use powerful attacks to eliminate Survivors quickly. A key aspect of Raider gameplay is managing your evolution and knowing when to focus on eliminating Survivors versus destroying the Time Machine. The Raider's perspective is one of overwhelming power, but skilled Survivors can still outwit and outmaneuver you.

Items and Skills

Both Survivors and Raiders can use a variety of items and skills to gain an advantage. Survivors can find weapons like rocket launchers and energy rifles, as well as support items like smoke grenades and decoy devices. They can also equip skills that enhance their mobility, stealth, or combat abilities. Raiders have access to a range of destructive attacks and tracking abilities, as well as skills that can disrupt Survivor strategies. Effective use of items and skills is essential for both sides.

First Impressions

Alright, so after getting my hands on Dragon Ball: The Breakers, here are my initial thoughts. The concept is genuinely unique within the Dragon Ball universe. It's refreshing to see a game that focuses on the vulnerability of regular people facing off against these god-like villains. The asymmetrical multiplayer dynamic creates some truly tense and exciting moments.

The Good

One of the biggest strengths of Dragon Ball: The Breakers is its atmosphere. The tension of being hunted by a Raider is palpable, and the sense of accomplishment when you successfully evade them or contribute to the Super Time Machine activation is incredibly satisfying. The game does a great job of capturing the look and feel of the Dragon Ball universe, with faithful recreations of iconic locations and characters.

I also appreciate the strategic depth of the gameplay. As a Survivor, you need to carefully consider your actions and work together with your team to succeed. Resource management, communication, and knowing when to fight or flee are all crucial. Playing as the Raider is equally engaging, as you need to balance hunting down Survivors with destroying the Super Time Machine.

The Not-So-Good

However, Dragon Ball: The Breakers isn't without its flaws. One of the main criticisms is the learning curve. The game doesn't do a great job of explaining its mechanics, and new players may feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they need to learn. The matchmaking can also be a bit uneven, with some matches feeling heavily stacked in favor of one side or the other.

Another issue is the potential for imbalance. A skilled Raider can quickly snowball and become virtually unstoppable, leading to frustrating matches for the Survivors. Conversely, a well-coordinated team of Survivors can make life miserable for the Raider. Balancing these dynamics is crucial for the long-term health of the game.

Final Verdict

Overall, Dragon Ball: The Breakers is a fun and unique take on the Dragon Ball formula. Its asymmetrical multiplayer gameplay creates tense and exciting moments, and the strategic depth keeps you engaged. While it has some flaws, the core experience is enjoyable, especially if you're a fan of the Dragon Ball universe or asymmetrical survival games. If you're looking for something different, The Breakers is definitely worth checking out.

Tips and Tricks for Dragon Ball: The Breakers

To help you get started, here are a few tips and tricks for Dragon Ball: The Breakers:

• Communicate: Use voice chat or the in-game communication system to coordinate with your team. Let them know where the Raider is, where you're placing keys, and if you need help.
• Stealth is Key: Avoid unnecessary confrontation with the Raider. Use stealth to move around the map and gather resources.
• Rescue Civilians: Civilians provide valuable resources that can be used to purchase items from vending machines.
• Use Transpheres Wisely: Transforming into a Z Fighter can be a game-changer, but it's temporary. Use it strategically to defend the Time Machine or rescue allies.
• Raider - Prioritize Evolution: Focus on absorbing civilians and defeating Survivors to evolve quickly and gain new abilities.

Is Dragon Ball: The Breakers Worth It?

So, is Dragon Ball: The Breakers worth your time and money? If you're a die-hard Dragon Ball fan looking for a unique twist on the franchise, or if you enjoy asymmetrical multiplayer games with a strong emphasis on strategy and teamwork, then the answer is likely yes. The game offers a fresh perspective on the Dragon Ball universe, putting you in the shoes of ordinary people struggling to survive against overwhelming odds. The tense and exciting matches, combined with the strategic depth, make for a compelling experience.

However, if you're primarily a fan of traditional Dragon Ball fighting games, or if you're easily frustrated by steep learning curves and potential imbalances, then you might want to proceed with caution. The game's mechanics can be overwhelming at first, and the uneven matchmaking can lead to some frustrating matches. It's also worth noting that Dragon Ball: The Breakers is primarily an online multiplayer game, so you'll need a stable internet connection and a subscription to your platform's online service (e.g., PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold) to play.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to buy Dragon Ball: The Breakers comes down to your personal preferences. If you're intrigued by the concept and willing to put in the time to learn the mechanics, then you'll likely find it to be a rewarding and unique experience. But if you're looking for a more traditional Dragon Ball game, or if you're easily turned off by challenging multiplayer experiences, then you might want to consider other options.

Final Thoughts

Dragon Ball: The Breakers is a bold and ambitious experiment that offers a fresh take on the Dragon Ball universe. Its asymmetrical multiplayer gameplay is both tense and strategic, and the unique concept of ordinary people facing off against iconic villains is genuinely compelling. While it has some flaws, the core experience is enjoyable, especially if you're a fan of the franchise or asymmetrical survival games. So, grab your friends, dive into the Temporal Seam, and see if you have what it takes to survive Dragon Ball: The Breakers!