Super Limit-Breaking NEO is the latest major expansion for Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero. It adds more than two dozen playable characters, as well as new single-player modes. It feels like an expansion that is suitable for those who already enjoyed the base game, and considering its price, the additions here are immense on the surface. But do they really matter in the grand scheme of things?
The new single-player mode, called Limit Break Journey, is basically a roguelike mode that focuses on the existing gameplay systems and playable characters, setting players on a journey to upgrade and customise them. The mode features an interactive map where both events and battles take place. Every fight leads to gaining experience points, which can then be used to improve any of the six core stats.
The roguelike nature comes in the form of defeat, where getting killed does not mean game over, but the player has to start their run from the beginning. I liked how the mode felt random and not strictly linear, with branching choices along the way. While the ability to customise a fighter using this mode is remarkable and can be fun, it loses its charm fairly quickly. These customised fighters, with their own special parameters, can also be used in offline modes if that is your preference.
Beyond the new Limit Break mode, the game has added more than 30 different fighters to the mix, on top of the existing roster, which was already massive. Fortunately, Sparking! Zero is not that complex of a game, and a lot of the fighters play similarly. So, unlike a traditional fighter, you do not have to learn specific combos or abilities to master the game. The arena-based battles remain the same, without any major changes aside from the addition of new fighters.
New stages included in this expansion include Kami’s Lookout, Planet Vegeta, and more. For players who enjoy customisation, there are new items to get for characters, while fans of the films and Dragon Ball in general might enjoy the addition of more characters from across the series, including Dragon Ball GT, Super, and more.
Super Limit-Breaking NEO is meant to be an expansion for existing fans of the game. It will not bring in new fans or charm those who disliked their experience with the base game. The new roguelike mode is fun if you enjoy battling and customising your characters, but its appeal is limited, and the lack of proper new single-player content is disappointing. Maybe the story mode could have been expanded further. However, there is no doubt that the new character additions and stages are a massive inclusion in themselves and make for a worthy purchase if you have enjoyed the base game.
If you want to read more about Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero, check out our full review of the base game. It also has an excellent Switch 2 port. As for this expansion, I would only recommend it to hardcore fans of the franchise or those who already enjoyed the base game. The new roguelike mode can be a bit cumbersome and difficult to grasp, even though it encourages replayability, but the new fighters are all fun to play as, along with the additional stages.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero – Super Limit-Breaking NEO Game Information
- Price: $34.99
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Developer: Spike Chunsoft
- Platform: PS5 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
