Oh Dragon Ball. How I love you. First, you give me a happy childhood filled with hours of Goku, Gohan, and the rest of the Z Fighters and then you hand me the amazing Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout. When you ended, I thought I would die, but thank Kaio-Sama for your games, cause they kept me going. Especially now that I can actually make a kamehameha with my own movement.

Alright, enough thanking. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is basically a remake of the original Budokai Tenkaichi...but man, what a remake.

One title that certainly has been hidden off to the side among all the top tier games for the holidays. Is the recently released Dragon Blade: Wrath of Fire. An all new creation exclusive to the Wii. Which certainly has "sleeper hit" written all over it. Many reviewers have compared it to some of the PS2's best hack & slash titles such as Devil May Cry, and God of War.


The game begins with a cinematic story which has some what decent voice acting for the image being portrayed. The story is being told by Valthorian the red dragon who came to create an age of peace among the warring human race. All the while his kin back home were secretly plotting against him and the entire human race for their own desires. The five other dragons managed to turn all the humans against Valthorian and then after many great wars. He eventually met its demise when the dark ones had finally turned his own final king and friend against him. They then captured his soul essence within a great blade. Which was destroyed during creation and a piece granted to each of the 5 human kings. The human king who was formerly Valthorians friend spell broke after the dark ones had gained power. So he took the handle (his piece of the blade) and fled far away and began a small secluded village. Fearing that one day the Dragon lords may come for their piece of the blade. To prevent him from using it to bring to the pieces together. He used all his power to conceal it within an alternate dimension. Which could only be accessed by a blood relative who heard the call of the Dragon. Many centuries passed and no one heard that call. Until one day one of his decendant named Dal awoke to his destiny.


The controls are pretty basic. To swing your sword you simply tilt/swing in that general direction. There are sensitivity settings allowing you to set how eccentrically you want controlling it to be. The nunchuck adds the analog for general 360* movement, C centers the camera behind you, and Z allows for jumping. The D-pad is one set of buttons you want to keep quite close. They are used to activate the special dragon powers. Like really cool dragon claws, tail,wings, and head. All of which allows for different attack options. The basic point of the controls is to make the title fun and simple for anyone within the core audience to enjoy. I personally believed they have delivered with this aspect of the game.


My only complaint was with the camera which in my opinion should automatically recenter behind your character without having to hit the center button. During the game you basically just run around slashing at enemies and trying to destroy any and everything you can within the level. While minor RPG elements are thrown in or puzzle based action. Which require you to unlock certain items or to continue further on your adventure.


Each level has one or more dragon armor pieces, which when collected unlocks new armor "Clothes design" for Dal. Areas consist of a few levels. In one of which you'll usually meet one of the former Kings of the land which have been hauntingly possessed by the Dragons dark rule. Usually embodying a certain aspect of the red Dragon Valthorian. Who you'll have to defeat to earn back one of the pieces of the Dragon Blade. Which in turn unlock a new ability dubbed "Dragon Power" for you to use. Each area is broke up between boss battles. In which you'll have to face off with one of the dark dragon rulers. These battles are rather impressive from what I've seen and played. Its really hard to describe the intense action of being charged down by a huge water dragon (Jagira) to roll out the way and turn to just see him turn into a splatter of water on the wall. Sometimes the action with the levels has you on edge as well. Especially when you're being charged down by a horde of angry pig men. Its also rather satisfaying to excute a mass knock out of foes. While using the special dragon powers.


It would have been nice for the game to host voice acting. The story is really great and truely thought out and realized in this package. It would have made it so much better to have gotten to sit back and watch certain cut scenes without having to focus on reading. Though in all I'd much rather there be no voice acting then absolute horrible voice acting. So it might have been in the better interest of the title. The soundtrack is rather fitting for the entire theme of the title. Though it does sound a bit generic. But decent all the same. For others you could always just mute it and put on some music. Since you're not required to listen to anything.


Graphically the game is not up to par with the Wii's potential. This title could have easily been presented on any of last gens consoles. I doubt it would have been displayed as smooth or detailed as presented within this game. Yet it was certainly a possibility.


In all I've only two complaints mentioned above. Both of which do not warrant for the desire not to play. On the contrary that is exactly what you'll want to continue to do. Until the adventure is complete. With a great story, innovative controls, and simple play this title could earn quite a cult following and become the sleeper hit of the holidays. It also launched at a $39.99 price point. Which is at least $10 less than the usual price of a Wii game.


I'd highly recommend it to all fans of hack & slash titles. Also fans of fantasy in its purest form. All aspects compiled together create for quite a work. Which should be played by everyone. At least give it a rent, you might discover a hidden gem within this title. For those of you in the UK expect Dragon Blade to hit retail around Nov 2nd.