Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero might be the frontrunner for my all-time favourite DB game(yes, even with all of the complaining online), but I’llalways have a soft spot for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot. Its unique status as an RPG in a sea of fighting game adaptations and its commitment to faithfully and comprehensively retelling DBZ’s story instead of just showcasing all the biggest battles help it stand out in a stacked lineup of Super Saiyan offerings.
As great asKakarotis, I don’t think anyone expected it to be supported for as long as it has been. The base game launched way back in 2020,and we’ve had six DLC packs since then, most of which have been fairly in-depth with their own gameplay styles and narratives.The last expansion was fittingly an epilogue to Dragon Ball Z, seemingly acting as a perfect way for CyberConnect2 to go out on a high before finally moving on to something else.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Shortly after the End of Z saga expansion launched,Bandai Namco confirmed that Kakarot was set to receiveat leasttwo more DLC packsbased on Dragon Ball Daima. That seemed like overkill to me, but after previewing the first few hours of Adventure Through The Demon Realm Part 1, I’m more than happy that Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is being given a new lease of life.
Kakarot Continues To Put A Lot Of Love Into Dragon Ball’s Story
My hands-on preview took me through the first two hours of the upcoming expansion, as the story follows a newly miniaturised Goku and Shin meeting Glorio and Panzy while trying to rescue Dende and recover the remaining Dragon Balls from the three Tamagami. You know, ordinary Dragon Ball stuff.
I’m surprised I even have to mention this, but Kakarot’s Daima DLC actually has a full English dub,unlike Sparking Zero. Stephanie Nadolny hasn’t missed a beat as young Goku.
Right off the bat, the DLC reminded me of Kakarot’s greatest strength - telling Dragon Ball’s story in a faithful yet impactful way. While most DBZ games are all about combat, Kakarot puts significantly more effort into characters, humour, and world-building. That’s even more important for Daima since it’s less action-heavy than Z or Super, so I was anxious to see if CC2 could capture such a specific vibe.
In the three hours I played of Daima Part 1, a good amount of that time was spent happily watching Goku talk and joke around with Glorio, Pansy, Shin, and all the other Demon Realm inhabitants they run into while getting used to a strange new world. So far, Kakarot does a stellar job of adapting Daima and its wonderful OG Dragon Ball sense of humour, and I’ve been having a blast even as someone with an intimate knowledge of all things Dragon Ball.
The Demon Realm Is Where The Daima DLC Makes Its Mark
Kakarot once again nailing its retelling of Dragon Ballwasn’t a big surprise considering its past triumphs, but the Demon Realm itself ended up having a lot more to offer than I first assumed. Initially, it looked like just another big map to fly around in like the base game and its other expansions, but it’s actually very different in practice.
Thanks to Goku’s inexperience with his smaller form and the Demon Realm’s heavy air, you can’t fly around freely anymore, instead finding yourself stuck on foot. Considering how important flying around a big open world was to Kakarot, this instantly had me sceptical about the scope of the Demon Realm.
While it initially felt like a way of justifying a more enclosed approach for Daima’s adaptation, the on-foot exploration is a breath of fresh air after five years of barely touching the ground. It does mean that things are a little more linear overall, but the Demon Realm is still packed with things to see and do, from optional lore-drop conversations between Goku and Panzy to unique floating islands with high-value items to collect.
Outside of the new floating islands and Demon Realm rumours, you’ll see a lot of familiar side activities like fishing and dinosaurs to hunt and cook for stat-boosting meals. I hope there’s a bit more unique, but the world itself is a big draw right now.
Goku (Mini) Is More Than Just Goku But Smaller
It’s too early to tell how expansive the Demon Realm is going to end up being, but I saw enough to make me feel more relaxed about the grounded approach this expansion is taking. The removal of flying isn’t just for exploration’s sake either, as it also affects combat,with it now taking place entirely on the ground like the Tenkaichi Budokai DLC.
Even if Goku isn’t able to jet around and dodge attacks as easily as before, the mini version of everyone’s favourite Saiyan prodigy is still a powerhouse who’s incredibly satisfying to play as. Considering how many variants of Goku we’ve had in Kakarot, I was surprised at how unique his fast-paced power pole-focused fighting style is here, which offers a much-needed change of pace after so many adventures with adult Goku and the gang.
Shin and Glorio act as support fighters for most of the Daima DLC’s battles, while Panzy is a guest character with occasional special moves.
My preview sadly ended shortly after a standout battle with Glorio and seeing Goku turn Super Saiyan before his upcoming clash with Tamagami 1, but what I played has me excited to see how the rest of Daima’s DLC turns out. So far, the strengths of Kakarot are shining through as clearly as ever, with enough unique changes to make it feel fresher than the other expansions. I just hope the full scope of the Demon Realm is as exciting in the full DLC as it was in the opening hours.
