Why was Budokai 3 so good?

Why was Budokai 3 so good?

Released in 2005, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 is widely considered one of the best Dragon Ball Z games ever created. The game’s comprehensive story mode, engaging gameplay, and impressive roster of characters made it a must-play for fans of the series. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind Budokai 3’s success and why it remains a beloved game to this day.

A Comprehensive Story Mode

Budokai 3’s story mode, aptly named "Dragon Universe," is a significant departure from the traditional "press X to win" narratives found in many other DBZ games. Instead, the game’s story is presented in a more cinematic fashion, with fully-voiced cutscenes and interactive battles that allow players to take control of their favorite characters. This innovative approach to storytelling gave players a deeper connection to the game’s narrative, making it feel more immersive and engaging.

The game’s story mode follows the events of the anime series, with players battling through iconic battles and meeting familiar characters along the way. The game’s ability to recreate the thrill of the anime’s climactic battles, such as Goku vs. Frieza, was a major selling point for fans.

Engaging Gameplay

Budokai 3’s gameplay was also a major improvement over its predecessors. The game introduced a new "Fusion" system, which allowed players to combine characters to create new, more powerful versions. This added a new layer of strategy to the game, as players had to carefully choose which characters to combine and when.

Additionally, the game’s controls were refined, making battles feel more responsive and accessible to players of all skill levels. The addition of a "Special Beam Cannon" system, which allowed players to charge up their special attacks, added a new layer of depth to the game’s combat.

An Impressive Roster of Characters

Budokai 3’s character roster was also a major draw for fans of the series. The game featured over 40 playable characters, including many fan favorites like Goku, Vegeta, and Trunks. The game’s character roster was also bolstered by the inclusion of several notable villains, such as Frieza and Cell.

A New Approach to Character Customization

Budokai 3 also introduced a new approach to character customization. Players could use a combination of items and training to increase their characters’ stats, allowing for a high level of customization. The game’s "Arts" system, which allowed players to increase their characters’ special attack damage, was also a major point of interest.

A More Realistic Artificial Intelligence

The game’s artificial intelligence was also praised for its realism. Enemy characters were programmed to fight more intelligently, making battles feel more challenging and unpredictable. The addition of a "Guard" system, which allowed characters to block attacks, added a new layer of strategy to the game’s combat.

Conclusion

Budokai 3’s success can be attributed to its comprehensive story mode, engaging gameplay, and impressive roster of characters. The game’s innovative approach to storytelling and character customization set it apart from its predecessors, making it a must-play for fans of the series. Even today, Budokai 3 remains a beloved game, with many fans considering it one of the best DBZ games ever created.

Table: Characters in Budokai 3

Bullets list: Key Features of Budokai 3

• Comprehensive story mode with fully-voiced cutscenes and interactive battles
• Engaging gameplay with a new "Fusion" system and refined controls
• Impressive roster of over 40 playable characters
• New approach to character customization with Arts and Training systems
• Realistic artificial intelligence with a Guard system
• Innovative storytelling approach with interactive battles and cinematic cutscenes