Monthly Archives: January 2020

Super Nintendo World is Coming to New ‘Epic Universe’ Theme Park in Orlando

Universal Studios is officially bringing Super Nintendo World to North America as part of its upcoming Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida. As reported by WESH in Orlando, Universal parent company Comcast announced the Super Nintendo World news during its Q4 2019 investors meeting. The Epic Universe park is set to open in 2023. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/06/08/super-nintendo-world-japan-teaser-trailer"] The first Super Nintendo World location is set to open this summer at Universal Studios in Japan. Nintendo recently released a CGI music video to give fans an early look at the theme park. The park will feature a Super Mario Kart ride as well as a Yoshi's Adventure ride when it opens and visitors will also be able to interact with the park using Nintendo-themed wristbands. The first photos we saw of Super Nintendo World feature clouds and platforms matching designs from Super Mario 3D World. Besides Japan and Orlando, Super Nintendo World will eventually make its way to Universal Studios in Hollywood and Singapore. Super Nintendo World isn't the only way Nintendo is branching out from video games. Nintendo is partnering with Illumination to develop a Super Mario Bros. movie, which is scheduled to hit theaters by 2022. For more on Super Nintendo World, read Shigeru Miyamoto's comments on the upcoming Nintendo theme park. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/12/01/7-things-we-want-in-a-nintendo-theme-park"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Logan Plant is a news writer for IGN, and the Production Assistant for Nintendo Voice Chat, IGN's weekly Nintendo show. You can find him on Twitter at @LoganJPlant.

Super Nintendo World is Coming to New ‘Epic Universe’ Theme Park in Orlando

Universal Studios is officially bringing Super Nintendo World to North America as part of its upcoming Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Florida. As reported by WESH in Orlando, Universal parent company Comcast announced the Super Nintendo World news during its Q4 2019 investors meeting. The Epic Universe park is set to open in 2023. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2017/06/08/super-nintendo-world-japan-teaser-trailer"] The first Super Nintendo World location is set to open this summer at Universal Studios in Japan. Nintendo recently released a CGI music video to give fans an early look at the theme park. The park will feature a Super Mario Kart ride as well as a Yoshi's Adventure ride when it opens and visitors will also be able to interact with the park using Nintendo-themed wristbands. The first photos we saw of Super Nintendo World feature clouds and platforms matching designs from Super Mario 3D World. Besides Japan and Orlando, Super Nintendo World will eventually make its way to Universal Studios in Hollywood and Singapore. Super Nintendo World isn't the only way Nintendo is branching out from video games. Nintendo is partnering with Illumination to develop a Super Mario Bros. movie, which is scheduled to hit theaters by 2022. For more on Super Nintendo World, read Shigeru Miyamoto's comments on the upcoming Nintendo theme park. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2016/12/01/7-things-we-want-in-a-nintendo-theme-park"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Logan Plant is a news writer for IGN, and the Production Assistant for Nintendo Voice Chat, IGN's weekly Nintendo show. You can find him on Twitter at @LoganJPlant.

Bill Murray Is Officially on Board for Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Ghostbusters: Afterlife cast members have mentioned Bill Murray's return, but nothing has sounded like a definitive answer. Today, following an interview with Murray from the set of the film that was published by Vanity Fair, Fans now have the confirmation they've been looking for....that wearing the proton pack is a pain in the butt. Oh, also that Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts and Sigourney Weaver have all stepped onto the set and are officially back. Unfortunately, Rick Moranis will not be returning. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/09/ghostbusters-afterlife-official-trailer"] Murray has known Ghostbusters: Afterlife director Jason Reitman since he was a child. Murray was a star of some of the movies of Jason's father, Ivan Reitman, including the original two Ghostbusters films, Meatballs, and Stripes. Jason used to cameo on his father's movies and even decorated his childhood bedroom with a piece of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Murray was also familiar with co-screenwriter Gil Kenan after he directed Murray in the movie adaptation of City of Ember. Murray agreed to read the Afterlife script in spring 2019, and was very positive towards it. “The script is good. It’s got lots of emotion in it. It’s got lots of family in it, with through lines that are really interesting,” Murray said. “It’s gonna work.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ghostbusters-afterlife-trailer-breakdown&captions=true"] The original Ghostbusters actors were called OGBs on the set of the film by the new crew, which includes Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace. Additionally, Murray was happy about handing over the proton pack, to say the least. Lightweight proton packs are used for stunts, but different, heavier ones are used in close-up shots. "When you put that gear on, it’s so uncomfortable. It’s so heavy, just to stand there with that weight on your back, tilting your spine,” Murray said while reportedly rolling his eyes. “And we wore them for a long time.” For more on Ghostbusters: Afterlife, check out what details we were able to pick from the latest trailer and see what the director of the female-led Ghostbusters remake had to say about the trailer. The movie will be released on July 10, 2020. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN who highly recommends Ghostbusters: The Video Game (2009).

Netflix in February: Locke & Key, Altered Carbon: Season 2, and More

February may be the shortest month of the year, but Netflix will have plenty of buzzy movies and TV series to keep you occupied. To get things started, the streamer is releasing several high-profile original series, including the long-awaited return of Altered Carbon's second season, Narcos Mexico: Season 2, and the premiere of Netflix's new psychological-horror series, Locke & Key. Here's how the streamer describes the show: "After their father is murdered under mysterious circumstances, the three Locke siblings and their mother move into their ancestral home, Keyhouse, which they discover is full of magical keys that may be connected to their father's death. As the Locke children explore the different keys and their unique powers, a mysterious demon awakens — and will stop at nothing to steal them." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/08/netflixs-locke-key-season-1-official-trailer"] On the movie front, you can watch the cult sci-fi classic Starship Troopers, all seven Police Academy movies, the original Blade Runner, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Check out the slideshow gallery below for a spotlight of some of the most notable February Netflix offerings, followed by the full list (U.S. Netflix only): [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=netflix-spotlight-february-2020&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"]

Coming Soon in February (Exact Date TBD)

  • Amit Tandon: Family Tandoncies -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Taj Mahal 1989 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 2/1/20

  • A Bad Moms Christmas
  • A Little Princess
  • Back to the Future Part III
  • Blade Runner: The Final Cut
  • Center Stage
  • Cookie's Fortune
  • Dear John
  • The Dirty Dozen
  • Dirty Harry
  • Driving Miss Daisy
  • Elizabeth
  • Elizabeth: The Golden Age
  • Fools Rush In
  • Hancock
  • Love Jacked
  • The Notebook
  • The Other Guys
  • The Pianist
  • Police Academy
  • Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment
  • Police Academy 3: Back in Training
  • Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol
  • Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach
  • Police Academy 6: City Under Siege
  • Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow
  • Purple Rain
  • Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
  • Scary Movie 2
  • Sex and the City 2

Avail. 2/3/20

  • Sordo -- NETFLIX FILM
  • Team Kaylie: Part 3 -- NETFLIX FAMILY

Avail. 2/4/20

  • Faith, Hope & Love
  • She Did That
  • Tom Papa: You're Doing Great! -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 2/5/20

  • Black Hollywood: 'They've Gotta Have Us'
  • #cats_the_mewvie
  • The Pharmacist -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
  • Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story

Avail. 2/6/20

  • Cagaster of an Insect Cage -- NETFLIX ANIME

Avail. 2/7/20

  • The Ballad of Lefty Brown
  • Dragons: Rescue Riders: Season 2 -- NETFLIX FAMILY
  • Horse Girl -- NETFLIX FILM
  • Locke & Key -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • My Holo Love -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Who Killed Malcolm X?
 

Avail. 2/8/20

  • The Coldest Game -- NETFLIX FILM

Avail. 2/9/20

  • Better Call Saul: Season 4
  • Captain Underpants Epic Choice-o-Rama -- NETFLIX FAMILY
  • Polaroid

Avail. 2/11/20

  • Good Time
  • CAMINO A ROMA -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
  • Q Ball

Avail. 2/12/20

  • Anna Karenina
  • To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You -- NETFLIX FILM

Avail. 2/13/20

  • Dragon Quest Your Story -- NETFLIX ANIME
  • Love is Blind -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Narcos: Mexico: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 2/14/20

  • Cable Girls: Final Season -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Isi & Ossi -- NETFLIX FILM
  • A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon -- NETFLIX FAMILY

Avail. 2/15/20

  • Starship Troopers

Avail. 2/17/20

  • The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia -- NETFLIX FAMILY

Avail. 2/19/20

  • Chef Show: Volume 3 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 2/20/20

  • Spectros -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 2/21/20

  • A Haunted House
  • Babies -- NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY
  • Gentefied -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Glitch Techs -- NETFLIX FAMILY
  • Puerta 7 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • System Crasher -- NETFLIX FILM

Avail. 2/22/20

  • Girl On The Third Floor

Avail. 2/23/20

  • Full Count

Avail. 2/25/20

  • Every Time I Die

Avail. 2/26/20

  • I Am Not Okay With This -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 2/27/20

  • Altered Carbon: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • The Angry Birds Movie 2
  • Followers -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution -- NETFLIX FAMILY

Avail. 2/28/20

  • All The Bright Places -- NETFLIX FILM
  • Babylon Berlin: Season 3 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Formula 1: Drive to Survive: Season 2 -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Jeopardy!: Celebrate Alex Collection
  • Jeopardy!: Cindy Stowell Collection
  • Jeopardy!: Seth Wilson Collection
  • La trinchera infinita -- NETFLIX FILM
  • Queen Sono -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Restaurants on the Edge -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL
  • Unstoppable -- NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Avail. 2/29/20

  • Jerry Maguire
For a look at the exciting new trailer for Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 7, check out the video below: [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/22/star-wars-the-clone-wars-final-season-official-trailer"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] David Griffin still watches DuckTales in his pajamas with a cereal bowl in hand. He's also the TV Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.

Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Heading for a $40m+ Debut

The Sonic the Hedgehog movie is tracking to open to over $40 million during Presidents' Day weekend. The Hollywood Reporter is expecting a four-day opening of $40 million to $45 million, while Deadline is pushing it a bit further to a potential $47 million. That's not a bad start considering the movie has an estimated production budget of $95 million. It's also worth mentioning that video game movies have a history of making most of their money outside of America and Canada. According to The Numbers, movies like Tomb Raider, Assassin's Creed, Rampage and Need for Speed have had over 75% of their box office come from international territories. The best comparison for Sonic is Detective Pikachu and the Angry Birds movies. Those PG-rated video game movies had about 2/3 of their box office come from foreign markets. If Sonic follows either of these trends, then this troubled production might end up as a success. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/16/5-things-from-the-sonic-games-we-want-in-the-sonic-the-hedgehog-movie"] The initial Sonic trailer sparked outcry that led to a drastic redesign of the CGI model for Sonic. The second trailer, and the first featuring the redesign, had the highest "like-to-dislike ratio" for any official movie trailer on Google in three years, according to the report from Deadline. The movie stars Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation) as the voice of Sonic with Jim Carrey (Dumb and Dumber) as his nemesis Dr. Robotnik. The movie will open in theaters alongside the Will Ferrell-Julia Louis Dreyfus movie Downhill, horror movie Fantasy Island, the Issa Rae-Lakeith Stanfield drama The Photograph, and the romance film What About Love. As for the rest of 2020, a Monster Hunter movie is coming to theaters on September 4 from the director and star of the Resident Evil movies. An Uncharted movie was scheduled for December 18, but that long-delayed movie was taken off the release date. Sony supposedly wants the director of Venom to hop on board, but no negotiations have taken place. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-video-game-movie-in-development-almost&captions=true"] [poilib element="accentDivider"] Petey Oneto is a freelance writer for IGN.

Apex Legends Season 4 Introduces New Legend Forge

Apex Legends' Season 4 will begin on February 4, 2020, and with it comes a brand new charismatic Legend named Forge. This newest season is titled Assimilation and also arrives with a new Battle Pass, a new bolt-action sniper rifle with a charge mechanic called the Sentinel, and changes to Ranked mode. Furthermore, February 4 marks the one-year anniversary since Apex Legends was released, and free login gifts will be given to players, including gun charms and a specific badge depending on how long you have been playing Respawn's battle royale. While we know what Forge looks like, there was no footage yet revealed of this new Legend who is "confident yet humble,..." and "uses his size, strength, and heavy-duty Shatter Gauntlets to batter his opponents into submission." [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=apex-legends-season-4&captions=true"] It was also revealed that Forge is a 5-time Hyperfighting Federation Champion and is the first corporate-sponsored Legend. His sponsor? Hammond Robotics. If that name sounds familiar, it's because it is one of the major corporations from Titanfall that was allied with the IMC and produced a ton of war material for its cause. The team at Respawn also hinted that Hammond Robotics may be the cause for some big map changes in Season 4 for World's Edge. Ranked mode is also getting an update with Ranked Series 3, and the biggest change is that the current Apex Predator Tier will now be Master Tier. This tier will be earned by any players who earn over 10,000 RP. To achieve the Apex Predator Tier, players must be one of the top 500 players per platform with the most RP. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/12/24/13-biggest-video-game-surprises-of-2019"] There will also be two parts of Ranked Series 3. The first Split will take place on World's Edge and will run from February 3 - March 23. The second Split will run from March 24 - May 5 and will see the return of the Kings Canyon map. Rewards will be earned based on the highest rank achieved from either Split. If players earn the same rank on both, they will also unlock an animated version of the Rank Badge. More details on Forge and Season 4 will be released in the future. Until then, check out why we called Apex Legends the Best Shooter of 2019 and take a look at an Apex Legends player who wanted to play so bad he took over and Airport TV to do so. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com. Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who can't wait and is so excited he just can't hide it. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst and on Twitch.

Nioh 2 Story Trailer, Post-Launch DLC Content Revealed

Team Ninja has shared the first story trailer for Nioh 2 as well as revealing the post-launch DLC plans for the title. This includes three major DLC releases promising hours of additional single-player gameplay. Nioh 2 is set during the Warring States period in Japan. The protagonist is a rogue mercenary who hunts down yokai, demon spirits that have overrun the war-torn island. The mercenary is half-yokai who uses his powers to battle the demons, but one day loses control over his abilities. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/01/23/nioh-2-story-trailer"] Thanks to the merchant and their “Spirit Stones” the mercenary regains power over their yokai abilities and sets out with the merchant to find more stones. Team Ninja’s creative director Tom Lee confirmed Nioh 2 would have a post-launch DLC roadmap and season pass. There will be three “major DLC’ releases that will focus on a different storyline that takes place before the events of Nioh 2. There will also be new weapons, combat abilities, and characters with each DLC that can be incorporated into the main missions. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=nioh-2-story-screenshots&captions=true"] IGN reviewed Nioh and praised the action RPG for its ambition. Though it’s a Dark Souls-inspired game, we said Nioh has enough originality to forge its own identity. Nioh was also a PlayStation Plus game last year, so if you managed to pick it up in time you can read IGN’s Nioh guide for tips and walkthroughs. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Kojima Productions Wants to Develop Anime, Manga, and Smaller Games

Kojima Productions could expand beyond big budget video game projects, according to a new interview with Famitsu. The interview with Hideo Kojima and artist Yoji Shinkawa was translated by Dualshockers (via GameSpot), and Kojima said he's interested in developing smaller video game titles. This could allegedly include episodic games or digital-only projects. However, he added that these small projects would not replace the studio's desire to work on big games like Death Stranding. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-ign-kojima-game-review&captions=true"] Apart from video games, the studio could branch out to manga and anime. Kojima and Shinkawa both said they'd like to work on a project using Shinkawa's mecha designs. Shinkawa said working on a manga would be nice because he likes to be able to touch his work directly. Finally, Kojima added that he'd still like to make movies, which matches an interview from last year when Kojima said, "In the future Kojima Productions will start making films. If you can do one thing well, then you can do everything well." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/11/01/death-stranding-review"] Death Stranding was IGN's winner for the Best PS4 Exclusive of 2019. The Kojima Productions title also won Best Game Direction at The Game Awards 2019. Kojima says he's considering developing a sequel to Death Stranding, but that the game would "start from zero." For more, read about when Death Stranding is coming to PC, or read our official Death Stranding review. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Logan Plant is a news writer for IGN, and the Production Assistant for Nintendo Voice Chat, IGN's weekly Nintendo show. You can find him on Twitter at @LoganJPlant.

Fortnite Gets Official High School and College Esports League

An official, competitive Fortnite esports league is coming to high schools and colleges thanks to an organization called PlayVS. PlayVS is a startup that’s building an esports league at the high school — and now college — level. The company announced that Fortnite will be joining its lineup of official esports games alongside Rocket League. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=the-most-addictive-online-games&captions=true"] High schools that sign up with PlayVS will be organized into a regional conference, just like traditional sports. Conferences are determined by geographic locations for high schools, though the College conference will vary. Teams are made up of two players competing in Fortnite Duos and schools can register an unlimited number of teams. Top teams at the end of a season will get a chance to compete in the playoffs and then a championship match. There's no requirement for platforms, meaning players can compete on whatever hardware they choose. Epic Games already hosts its esports league for Fortnite, but the company is partnering with PlayVS to bring the competitive version of the game to the high school and college level. Other game developers like Blizzard also host their collegiate esports league for games like Overwatch and Hearthstone. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2019/02/28/fortnite-season-8-trailer"] PlayVS says the official season of Fortnite esports for colleges and universities begins on March 2, 2020, while the high school season begins on February 24, 2020. Check out IGN’s Fortnite guide for tips, strategies, and more if you’re interested in competing in Fortnite at the competitive level. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Review – Mondo Cool

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot begins right where the anime does: introducing us to Goku and his son Gohan just before the Saiyans are set to invade earth, revealing Goku's true Saiyan heritage and setting off a chain of events that threatens the entire universe. It's a story we've seen played out in many Dragon Ball Z games over the years, but unlike recent examples, Kakarot tells its tale by way of a narrative-driven RPG rather than a strictly combat-focused game. It gives life to the world and story of DBZ in a refreshing way, offering us a glimpse into what life is like for Goku and his many companions outside of battles to decide the fate of the universe.

All of Dragon Ball Z's major story arcs are contained here: the Saiyan invasion, the showdown with Frieza on planet Namek, the Androids, the fight against Cell, and Majin Buu's story. But among all of these massive, earth-shattering sagas and intense fights are numerous smaller stories and character interactions that many games have simply glossed over.

The game's structure is split into parts: free-roaming/exploration sequences with a semi-open world, battle scenes against foes big and small, and cutscenes where you watch some of the most dramatic story moments of DBZ play out in gorgeous in-engine renditions. There's a good balance between all of these; it rarely feels like you're spending too long watching a cutscene or that you're thrust into constant battle without being able to take a moment to catch your breath. Sometimes the exploration sequences can seem overlong, but a lot of that depends on how much time you want to spend doing side quests and hunting collectibles like power-up orbs, food supplies, and materials for side pursuits like cooking and crafting. It's not essential to spend a lot of time on side pursuits, but it does provide benefits--and while you're flying around the big, vibrant environments, it's easy to be swept up in exploring the DBZ world itself, which is filled with giant fish, rampaging dinosaurs, and futuristic cities.

One striking thing about DBZ: Kakarot is how it showcases the large cast of the anime. You begin the game as Goku, but as the story progresses, you assume control over several other characters, like Gohan, Piccolo, Vegeta, and Trunks, to name a few. Familiar faces like Krillin, Tien Shinhan, Yamcha, and Android 18 also appear to aid you in combat as assistants. Many of the other supporting DBZ cast members make cameos in side quests and story scenes as well. Building friendships with characters through questing and giving gifts rewards you with a character emblem, and by placing it on a “community board” that represents a group of Goku's companions, you can earn assorted boosts to combat, item-gathering, cooking, and other adventurous pursuits.

But these rewards are only part of what makes DBZ: Kakarot's adventuring feel satisfying. Dragon Ball Z is a series where character relationships and interactions are important, and that really comes through in the non-combat story bits. You see Piccolo warm up to young Gohan, Chi Chi's tough mother role, the fighters bonding outside of battle, teenage Gohan doing his goofy Great Saiyaman shtick, and much more. Even relatively minor characters like Yajirobe, Launch, and Puar have side quests that showcase funny interactions, silly scenarios, and genuinely sad and touching moments. Seeing so many DBZ characters given their moment to shine is great, and it helps you forget that a lot of the side quests are fairly typical RPG kill-these-enemies or collect-this-item affairs. As someone who thinks some of the “filler” and comedy episodes of DBZ are among the series' best, I really appreciated an increased focus on these stories in DBZ: Kakarot.

Of course, it wouldn't be Dragon Ball Z without combat. While the 3D, action-driven combat takes some getting used to at first, once you've got a decent handle on the controls, you'll be flying around, shooting off ki blasts and Kamehamehas like a pro. You control a single character who has two basic attacks--up-close melee strikes and ranged ki blasts. If you have companions in the fight, the CPU will control them, and you can command them to make use of special attacks. Besides your basic strikes, you have several powerful special skills, a boost to get up close to the opponent, several defensive techniques to guard, dodge, and catch an attacking opponent off-guard, and even (eventually) the ability to transform into stronger forms. Many of these abilities cost ki, which can be charged mid-battle but leaves you vulnerable when doing so, making ki management very important. A tension gauge fills over time, and when it's full, you can send your warrior into a superpowered state where you can chain special attacks into each other, causing some serious devastation.

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It's an intriguing combat system, and the 3D aerial movement element is unique, but there's a lack of depth--most normal enemies and even a few bosses can be patterned to make fighting them much easier. On top of that, enemy variety outside of main story battles tends to be lacking, particularly the annoying cannon-fodder foes that will interrupt you during times when you just want to explore. But fighting still has some standout moments during big boss fights when enemies whip out massive, incredibly damaging energy attacks that force a rapid change in strategy. Overcoming some of the nastiest things Dragon Ball Z's iconic villains toss at you with skillful dodging and well-timed attacks is immensely satisfying, and it somewhat makes up for all of the combat time wasted punching the same robots over and over again.

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot's modern, semi-open approach to telling the saga of DBZ--despite some minor issues--is a good one. Zooming around the environments and seeing the world up close is a blast, and it's great being able to interact with so many fun DBZ characters and see stories that usually get passed over for game adaptations. And even though combat can be a bit lacking, when the big battles happen, they feel suitably epic and engaging. If you're looking for an enjoyable way to see the life and times of adult Goku through a new perspective, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot will grant your wish.