Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 Preview: A Safe yet Fun Evolution

Ten years is a long time. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 still holds up, though. The Summer Game Fest live gameplay demo of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 shows Dimps is playing it safe, which, honestly, is a bit of a relief, given how the new game's futuristic Age 1000 universe and refined combat mechanics could've easily gone off the rails, but instead seem to be building upon the intense, aerial combat that fans of the series have grown to adore, now set 250 years after the events of the previous game.

It's fun. The demo for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 takes place in West City. You'll see characters like Vegeta just hanging out. They've made the environment pretty interactive. The game lets you customize a bedroom hub, which is a cool idea. We've seen combat like this before, for example, against Super Broly - it's where the new features really stand out. With the ability to go Super Saiyan on iconic villains, it's a key part of the game's appeal, you'll love it, whether you're new to the series or a long-time fan of Dragon Ball Xenoverse.

A Missed Chance to Fix Old Flaws

It's the same deal. Combat is still about aerial juggling. You'll need to manage Ki too. The new features are worth mentioning, though. They've got Soul Assists now, which is pretty cool. It lets you summon characters like Vegeta and Trunks for a big attack. We've also got Soul Switch, a feature that's a bit like Sparking Zero's Sparking Mode mixed with God of War's Spartan Rage, giving you a temporary Super transformation and a health boost - it's like a key emergency button in tough fights, you'll use it to get out of a bind. Character customization is better, with more options for Earthling and Saiyan, who can turn into Super Saiyan 3, and the promise of more races to come, which is a key part of the game's appeal, making it more fun for players.

Aerial Combat is key. You'll notice it in the demo. The icy level is a great example. It's all about flying and boosting through enemies, which feels very fluid. They've kept Super Attacks and Ultimates, for a sense of continuity, you'll use familiar controls, like R2 + face button. The fight against Super Broly is worth mentioning, it's a great showcase, with environmental dodges, like hiding behind icicles, adding strategy to the fight, making it more engaging, with the real feel of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 shining through in this crossover of action and tactics.

Why Bother? A Fanboy's Reckoning

It's the same. Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 is fun. You'll get more of what you like. The game plays it safe. This is a key aspect, for better or worse. With a futuristic setting in Age 1000, it's a bit different. The new stories are worth mentioning, we've seen this before, it's in a way where they've tried to mix things up, but it's unclear if they'll go beyond the usual beat-em-up style, which is what we've come to expect from the series, and that's what makes it interesting, you'll have to wait and see.

You'll see a big difference with the new revive feature. It's nice. Teamwork is key in multiplayer. We've got a good thing going with Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3. The game feels like Xenoverse 2 with updates, which might be a letdown for some players expecting a lot more.

Xenoverse’s Secret Weapon Isn’t New

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 is fun. You'll enjoy it. For fans, it's a must-play, with the Xenoverse gameplay loop still being key. They've kept the good stuff, added new elements, and it shows. The 2027 release on PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X gives Dimps time to polish the game, maybe add more depth to the story and gameplay, which would be worth mentioning, making it a great crossover of old and new elements, with the real feel of the series intact, and a bit of honesty in its approach, for a safe yet fun evolution, it's a good start, and we've got high hopes.

It's a fine line. The game needs to feel fresh. You'll want something new, for sure. With Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, it's all about finding that balance between what you know and what's next, which is key for any sequel, especially in a series with a dedicated fan base like this one, where the quality has been consistently high in recent years, making it likely to please fans, even if it doesn't necessarily blow them away with completely new ideas.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3: 3 Key Upgrades That Matter