Dragon Ball Xenoverse is an action role-playing fighting game that places players in the role of a custom Time Patroller tasked with protecting the Dragon Ball timeline. Released for PlayStation 4 and playable on PlayStation 5 through backward compatibility, the title centers on creating and leveling a personal warrior who joins the fight alongside familiar characters from the series. The core loop revolves around building a fighter from one of five available races, equipping hundreds of items and skills, and participating in story-driven battles that alter key events from the Dragon Ball universe.
Gameplay
Players begin by designing their avatar with choices for race, gender, appearance, and starting attributes. The five races each bring distinct traits that influence combat style and growth options. Once created, the character trains under mentors such as Goku, Vegeta, and Piccolo to learn new moves and abilities. Combat takes place in 3D arenas where players combine basic attacks, ki blasts, and special techniques in real-time battles. Exploration happens in the central hub of Toki Toki City, where the Time Patroller interacts with NPCs, accepts missions, and prepares for the next timeline correction. Progression involves earning experience to unlock stronger forms and equipment, with more than 450 customization pieces available to refine the warrior's look and power set.
Game Modes
The main experience unfolds through Universe Mode, where players follow a narrative that diverges from established Dragon Ball events and work with Future Trunks to restore the proper flow of history. Parallel Quests let players revisit classic story moments under altered conditions, often teaming up with or against series regulars to complete objectives. Tenkaichi Budokai serves as the world tournament format, featuring real-time matches against other fighters in a structured bracket. Additional options include local versus battles and online encounters within the shared Toki Toki City space, where up to 200 players can gather to spar or compete in global tournaments. These modes support both solo progression and cooperative or competitive play with others.
Multiplayer and Online Features
Online play centers on the bustling Toki Toki City hub, allowing players to join public areas, challenge others directly, or enter organized events. Matches can be fought one-on-one or in small groups, with ranking systems tracking performance across worldwide participants. The experience requires a PlayStation Plus subscription for full online access on PlayStation consoles. Offline play remains fully supported for story and quest content, giving flexibility for those who prefer single-player sessions or local co-op with a second controller.
Is It Worth Playing?
Dragon Ball Xenoverse appeals most to fans of the anime who want a deeper role in the timeline through character creation and mission variety. User reception has been generally favorable, with many appreciating the freedom to build and develop a personal fighter while reliving and reshaping key sagas. The title maintains steady availability on PlayStation platforms without ongoing seasonal updates or new content additions in recent years. Those seeking a blend of fighting mechanics, light RPG progression, and Dragon Ball storytelling will find a complete package here, especially if they enjoy experimenting with different race builds and mentor training paths. Players looking for the latest expansions and larger online populations may prefer the sequel, yet the original still delivers a focused and engaging entry for newcomers or series veterans revisiting the concept.