Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is an action RPG that follows the full story of Goku and the Z Fighters across the major sagas of the Dragon Ball Z anime. Players control Goku and switch between other characters as the narrative advances from the arrival of the Saiyans through the final confrontation with Majin Buu. The experience blends large-scale battles with everyday activities in the Dragon Ball world, including fishing, cooking meals, and training sessions that help characters grow stronger.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on real-time combat that mixes simple melee strings with powerful special techniques. Players press a single button to chain basic attacks while holding another to trigger ki blasts or finishers that recover energy. Up to two support characters join in fights and can unleash their own timed moves to assist during key moments. Outside of battles, the game encourages exploration across story-unlocked regions where enemies roam freely and side activities appear naturally. Characters level up through combat and story events, unlocking skill trees that improve stats and add new abilities for Goku, Vegeta, Gohan, Piccolo, and others. Z-orbs collected throughout the world serve as the main resource for upgrading these trees, keeping progression steady without heavy grinding.
Game Modes
The primary way to experience the game is through its linear story campaign that recreates iconic Dragon Ball Z events while adding smaller personal moments between characters. Side quests and optional challenges appear in each region, letting players build relationships and uncover extra dialogue. Exploration happens in open hub areas that open as the plot advances, with flying and vehicles used to cross distances quickly. Training mini-games and cooking sessions provide breaks from combat and directly improve character performance for upcoming fights. No separate multiplayer or competitive modes exist, keeping the focus entirely on single-player progression through the Dragon Ball Z timeline.
Exploration and Progression
Regions range from familiar locations like the rocky plains near Goku's home to more distant battlefields, each filled with collectibles and minor encounters. Flying freely once certain story milestones are reached makes revisiting areas efficient for completing any missed tasks. Multiple playable heroes each carry independent skill trees, so switching between them during the campaign adds variety to how battles are approached. The leveling system rewards consistent play without forcing players into repetitive loops, and the abundance of upgrade materials means most characters stay viable throughout the main story.
Is It Worth Playing?
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot delivers a faithful retelling of the anime's major arcs with solid combat and a steady sense of character growth. Fans who want to relive the full Dragon Ball Z saga in an interactive format will find the story presentation and party-based battles satisfying. The mix of action and lighter activities like fishing or training gives the world a lived-in feel that sets it apart from pure fighting games. Players who prefer fast-paced arena combat or deep open-world systems may find the pacing uneven in places, yet the overall package remains a strong single-player choice for anyone invested in the Dragon Ball universe. The game continues to receive occasional content additions that expand the available adventures beyond the original release.
