Dragon Ball: The Breakers

Dragon Ball: The Breakers needs to work on its online infrastructure, but beyond that it's a fast, exciting romp best played with a party full of well-known friends, as opposed to silent strangers.

If you enjoy online games with a unique approach then DRAGON BALL: THE BREAKERS likely piqued your interest. But, is it any good?

Dragon Ball: The Breakers brings an incredibly unique spin on asymmetrical multiplayer, and while the foundations are strong, it still needs a bit of work to truly be something special.

It's not great, and there are better games of this ilk for players to try out, but if you're enough of a fan of Dragon Ball, you might find just enough to enjoy here that makes it worth the cost of admission.

Dragon Ball: The Breakers is certainly an interesting concept for a Dragon Ball game, if not a great one. The idea of being hunted down by these villains that can literally blow up the entire planet may seem silly, but it’s nothing new to fans who have watched the show. It should be a terrifying and thrilling experience, and it is when everything clicks together. However, it’s hard to ignore all the technical issues, clumsy controls, uncontrollable camera, and of course, the gacha system that is obviously built to draw people to spend money, with its pay-to-win rewards. If you’re a fan of the ...

Dragon Ball: The Breakers is a solid game loop that feels fun to play, especially if you are with friends. However the progression system and the cosmetics have much to be desired. Hopefully the longer this game stays in service, the better the options become.

While there is quite a bit about Dragon Ball: The Breakers that frustrated me, that doesn’t mean that the game is entirely disappointing. There were several moments when I was able to win as both the survivor and raider that felt really rewarding. Plus, getting to play around in the Dragon Ball sandbox is always entertaining as a fan of the franchise. It feels great to customize your own character and have them appear in a universe that feels distinctly Dragon Ball, which helps overcome some of the main gameplay issues I had. Most of the issues are also things that can be fixed going forward, ...

The Breakers wants to bring Dead By Daylight to Dragon Ball, without understanding what makes that game great.

There's plenty of more content on the way for Dragon Ball: The Breakers. In fact, it's already been teased that Great Ape Vegeta could be coming in the game's second season. Dragon Ball: The Breakers is the kind of game that's rough around the edges at launch but could be improved greatly with updates. A switch to a completely free-to-play monetization model would do wonders for the game, and it seems likely that it could head in that direction, so Dragon Ball fans may want to wait and see what happens.

Dragon Ball: The Breakers is broken. In their efforts to slap a Dragon Ball coat of paint onto the world of asymmetrical horror-multiplayer action, Bandai Namco has failed to put any care or consideration into the gameplay mechanics that make games like these so fun and enjoyable. Mixed with matchmaking issues and egregious paid gacha mechanics, this is a poor attempt at live-service multiplayer hidden behind the veil of 90s anime nostalgia.

Despite efforts to include a vast collection of Dragon Ball characters and references in The Breakers, going as far as to provide a somewhat logical explanation of why it is possible for dead villains and normal civilians being able to transform into your favorite heroes, the game is ultimately let down by its poor mechanics and systems. Instead of giving players a chance to sink their teeth into a new way to enjoy the storied franchise, Dragon Ball: The Breakers will only be consigned to the place of a bad memory, much like a poor filler episode of an anime.

For diehard fans of Dragon Ball or asymmetrical multiplayer games, Dragon Ball: The Breakers is worth a try. The core gameplay loop can be genuinely enjoyable, especially if it's played with friends, but it is often bogged down by its clunky controls, slow camera, and lackluster combat. Playing as a raider is one of the most satisfying Dragon Ball game experiences in recent memory, but the queue system and lack of any formal raider tutorial can make it a pain to get into. Ultimately, though T...