Whether you are a new player or just a fan of DRAGON BALL games, get to know the basics of DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO in our starter guide!
I. HUD
The HUD of DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO keeps the same essence of the Budokai Tenkaichi Series, giving a comprehensive overview of each state during a fight.
HP & KI Gauge
HP Gauge
The bar shows the character’s current HP level and decreases when you or your opponent take damage. Once it hits 0, the character is defeated. Every HP Bar has a different color, going from Blue to Orange, and the amount of remaining HP bars is indicated in the left corner.
Ki Gauge
Like in the original anime, Ki is the power that can be used to perform super attacks and other movements. To increase the Ki gauge, you can either charge it yourself, or it will slightly charge by itself whenever you hit your opponent with hand-to-hand combos. Once your Ki gauge is maxed out, you can start filling up your Sparking! gauge to enter a special state known as “Sparking! Mode” (requires at least 1 skill gauge to enter the mode). It decreases as you dash, or use Ki Blasts and Blast Attacks (in-game Super Attacks). Once the Ki Bar becomes red, you will not be able to move until it returns back to normal.
Skill Count
The Skill Count is used when you perform various moves, such as transformation, fusion, and skills like Super Perception or Revenge Counter. It charges over time, as every time the blue bar is full, it adds one charge to the count.
Transformation Icon
This displays the amount of available Transformations for the character.
Hit Count
Displays the number of blows delivered, and the amount of damage dealt or received.
Timer
The countdown begins when the fight starts. Once it reaches 0, the fight comes to an end.
II. Controls
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO proposes two different types of controls:
- Standard: the recommended controls for the game.
- Classic: enables you to enjoy similar controls to those of the previous Budokai Tenkaichi games!
This change in controls will also affect the QTE sequences controls.
For this article, and all subsequent articles, we will refer to Standard controls, as these are the default settings of the game.
Standard Controls
Guard: Hold [R1/RB] to guard attacks. It can be oriented with Low Guard : Down + [R1/RB] or High Guard Up + [R1/RB].
Step/ Short Dash: Pressing [✖/A] enables you to move quickly in the air or on the ground.
Ascend/Jump: You can jump or fly in the air by pressing [L1/LB].
Descend: You can crouch down or return to the ground by pressing [L2/LT].
Smash Attack: Can be used for close combos, hold [☐/X] to perform a Smash Attack.
Ki Blast: Throws a Ki blast. Hold [△/Y] to throw a Smash Ki Blast.
Rush Chain: Enables to deliver long combos by pressing [☐/X] once to four times, and then pressing [△/Y].
The footage shown demonstrates the move Flying Kicks, which is activated by pressing [△/Y] after a single [□/X]. Actions may differ from each character.
Ki Charge: You can charge your Ki bar by pressing [R2/LT] to strike Ki Blasts and Super Attacks.
III. Understanding Battles
With its stunning and extremely varied roster, DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO offers multiple ways to enjoy battles. Given the many customization options, stats, metrics and more, let’s take a look at the various possibilities the game offers for an amazing player experience.
With the game’s large roster, each character comes with their own dedicated stats!
How to Read Stats
Each character has their own stats tree that can be influenced by customization, transformation or current state ( form, fusion…). It displays the following metrics:
1. Special Attack: This increases the strength of Blasts and Ultimate Blasts.
2. HP: Increasing this stat gives a higher number of HP.
3. Combo: This increases the damage dealt by combos.
4. Ki: High Ki stats allow the character to perform stronger Ki blasts and/or charge their Ki faster.
5. Attack: This stat increases the power of smash and hand-to-hand attacks.
Customization
In DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO you will be able to customize every character in the game to make them fit with your taste and playstyle.
Outfits: You can change the character’s outfit based on your unlocked costumes. Note that this change is only cosmetic and does not have an impact on the character’s stats, but can sometimes change the move set when equipped.
Accessories: You can choose to equip some specific characters with their anime accessories, to reproduce their famous moves or partially change their look (Halo, Scouter, …).
Type: This defines the additional characteristics/abilities based on the character type you selected.
Ability Items: You can enhance characters’ abilities (speed, strength, HP, …) through capsules customizations.
Customize all your favorite characters to make your look even more unique during online battles!
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO is developed by Spike Chunsoft for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
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