Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road

Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road (also known as Shin Budokai 2) is a fighting game developed by Dimps for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), released in 2007. It's a sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai and loosely follows the events of the alternate future storyline, specifically focusing on Future Trunks' battle against Majin Buu.

Here's a detailed breakdown of the game:

Story Mode (Another Road)

The story mode of Shin Budokai - Another Road is an alternate version of the "Future Trunks" saga. It tells the story of Trunks' future, where Earth has been ravaged by the Androids (Android 17 and Android 18), and most of the Z Warriors are dead. In this timeline, Majin Buu is also released, creating new challenges for the remaining warriors.

The game features six chapters, each divided into missions. Players experience the story through conversations between the characters, with battles progressing the plot. Unlike most Dragon Ball games, the focus is on Future Trunks' struggle to protect his timeline.

Chapter Breakdown: Each chapter focuses on different parts of the fight against Majin Buu in the future timeline. Major characters include Trunks, Gohan (future version), Goku (via time travel), Vegeta, and others.
Branching Paths: The story has branching paths and multiple outcomes depending on your choices in certain battles, giving the player the ability to change the events of the future timeline.

Gameplay

The core gameplay of Shin Budokai - Another Road is a 2D fighting system similar to other games in the Budokai series, with simple yet responsive controls and fast-paced combat. The game retains the "Burst Mode" and "Aura Burst" from Shin Budokai, making the combat dynamic and accessible.

Combat System:
- Melee Attacks: Players can perform basic combos using punch, kick, and guard buttons.
- Ki-based Attacks: Ki blasts, beams (such as Kamehameha), and other energy-based attacks are integral to the combat.
- Transformations: Characters can transform during battle, granting them more power and new attacks (e.g., Super Saiyan forms).
- Ultimate Attacks: Each character has an ultimate attack that can deal massive damage to opponents, such as Goku's Spirit Bomb or Vegeta's Final Flash.
Health and Ki Meters: Each character has a health meter and a Ki meter. Ki is consumed when performing special attacks or transformations. Managing Ki is important in long battles.
Movement: Players can move across the screen with dashes and quick steps, avoiding attacks or setting up counterattacks. The game also features mid-air combat and high-speed chases, emulating the fast-paced battles of the anime.

Game Modes

Aside from the Story Mode, the game offers several other modes:

Arcade Mode: A traditional mode where you fight a series of opponents in a set order.
Z Trial Mode: Divided into two types:
- Survival: Fight as many opponents as possible with a single health bar.
- Time Attack: Defeat enemies as quickly as possible.
Network Battle: Allows for multiplayer fights via local ad-hoc connection.
Training Mode: A practice mode where players can learn character moves and improve their skills.
Profile Card: This allows players to customize a profile that others can see during network battles.

Character Roster

The game features over 50 playable characters, with various transformations. Notable characters include:

Goku (Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 3)
Vegeta (Super Saiyan, Majin Vegeta)
Future Trunks (Super Saiyan)
Gohan (Future Gohan, Super Saiyan 2)
Majin Buu
Dabura
Broly (Legendary Super Saiyan)
Cooler
Android 18

The roster includes fan-favorites as well as characters from the movies and side storylines.

Graphics and Sound

For the PSP, the graphics are vibrant and faithful to the anime. Characters are rendered in a 3D cel-shaded style, while the stages are colorful and destructible. The game’s speed and effects give it an authentic Dragon Ball Z feel, especially during explosive energy attacks and high-speed pursuits.

The music is energetic, fitting the game's fast-paced battles, and includes familiar tracks from the Dragon Ball Z series. Character voice acting is present, adding to the authenticity of the combat and dialogue scenes.

Reception

Shin Budokai: Another Road was praised for its smooth fighting mechanics, fast gameplay, and faithful adaptation of Dragon Ball Z's action. The branching storylines were also appreciated by fans. However, some criticism was directed at its relatively short length and lack of depth in game modes compared to console titles.

Key Features:

Branching storylines with multiple endings
Smooth 2D combat system with 3D elements
Playable transformations and powerful ultimate attacks
Large roster of characters from the DBZ universe
Multiplayer ad-hoc battles for up to two players
Intense fast-paced battles, air combat, and high-speed chases

Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road remains a solid fighting game for the PSP, offering DBZ fans an exciting and accessible experience with a unique focus on Trunks' future timeline.