Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot reviews

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot arrives on PlayStation 4 tomorrow, but critic reviews are starting to hit the internet right now. We're not quite ready to pen a full review just yet so you can read our thoughts on the game in a new Hands On piece, but it looks like various other outlets are in the same predicament as Push Square deputy editor Robert Ramsey. Reviewers simply haven't had enough time to fully get to grips with the title, so let's take a look at what other outlets think of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot with a selection of reviews in progress.

Push Square - Hands On Impressions

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot can be good fun, especially if you're a big Dragon Ball nerd like this particular author, but it's hamstrung by so many problems -- problems that, at least on a surface level, could have been corrected had the game been given more time in the oven. As it stands, Kakarot is a relatively unique and in-depth Dragon Ball adaptation, but it's not a great video game.

GAMINGbible - 9/10

Normally, knowing a story inside out would put me off enjoying a brand new video game, but Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot delivers a timeless tale that feels fresh despite it being around for years. Playing this is not so much about enjoying a story, as it is reliving a legend, and that's where the game really shines. From Goku's ultimate sacrifice against his brother, to Vegeta's menacing arrival on Earth, Kakarot makes every moment feel just as incredible as they were back when I was a kid.

The Sixth Axis - 7/10

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot displays unparalleled care and respect for the iconic story arcs it adapts. The original music is there, original Dragon Ball characters return, and pivotal moments are gorgeously animated. If these were stories being presented in video game format for the first time, it would be a mind-blowing experience. Unfortunately, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot doesn't push the envelope enough to warrant sitting through the Cell Saga for the umpteenth time and seeing Frieza get obliterated yet again. If you've played a Dragon Ball Z game before, you've basically played this one.

Trusted Reviews - 7/10

With a length of over 40 hours to get through the main story, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot might linger a bit too long for those looking for a varied experience, as the variety in sidequests is incredibly lacking. While everything looks pretty enough and there’s a healthy dose of fanservice and nostalgia for those who are diehard Dragon Ball Z fans, it often feels like more effort than it’s worth.

However for those fans that want to retread the Dragon Ball Z story and explore its world, this is the best, and most fully-realised Dragon Ball world ever made – and that in itself makes up for frustrating combat and lacklustre sidequests.

IGN - Review in progress

I’m fairly confident saying that Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is, at the very least, a good, if a bit unpolished game. As of this moment, I am about 23 hours in and feel like I am just about 3/4s of the way through, so obviously I want to withhold my final judgment until after I beat it, but thus far I’ve been very much enjoying my time. That said, it works much better as an arena fighter than an RPG, and the bits where you’re just flying around in the semi-open world looking for sidequests are not as strong as they could be. There are a ton of mundane fetch quests, scavenger hunts, and “beat up these same three generic robots/saibamen/frieza force soldiers” combat missions that get very old, very quick. Not to mention, the rewards for beating them aren’t that enticing either.

Destructoid - Review in progress

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot might be an all too familiar trip down memory lane, but so far it’s fun enough and much more pointed than some of the aimless DBZ games of old. We'll see if it doesn't overstay its welcome.

Gamesradar - Review in progress

As it stands, around 12 hours in, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot is a fun game, but one that hasn’t quite lived up to its potential in any section. The fights can often feel unbalanced, the adventuring lacks the carrots and sticks needed to pull you through, and a lot of the activities feel like little more than a distraction. It does, however, look like the anime has come to life, and sound spectacular. It’s just a shame it’s not a little bit deeper, but hey, at least it’s flashy.

Metro - Review in progress

First impressions of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot are positive then, but the lack of character creation feels a tad disappointing. Goku is the hero of the piece, but after Xenoverse allowed you to create a fighter from scratch and build them into a character, playing as a fixed character feels like a step back – especially since his story has already been told.

Are you buying Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot tomorrow? Have these reviews convinced you it'll be worthwhile? Let us know in the comments below.