Campaign
Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku follows the events of the Saiyan Saga through the Frieza Saga, staying true to the source material. Players take control of Goku as he battles iconic villains like Raditz, Nappa, Vegeta, and ultimately, Frieza. While the story remains faithful to the anime, it offers little in terms of new content or unique storytelling. The lack of side missions or optional objectives makes the campaign feel restrictive and overly linear. With no room for deviation from the main storyline, the game follows a strict path that can feel repetitive.
The absence of character development outside of what is already established in the show also makes the experience feel more like a retelling rather than an interactive adventure. There are a few NPCs scattered throughout the game, but they offer minimal depth beyond advancing the main story. While the campaign does deliver some fun moments, it ultimately falls into the common trap of anime-based games: rehashing the same events with little room for innovation or exploration.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Gameplay
The gameplay of The Legacy of Goku is a blend of action RPG mechanics with a top-down perspective. Players control Goku as he moves through various areas, battling enemies, completing small objectives, and leveling up. Combat is simple, consisting of melee attacks and energy blasts, but it lacks depth. The ability to level up and gain new moves adds some progression, but the game remains fairly restrictive in terms of mechanics. The lack of additional playable characters is one of the game’s biggest flaws—Goku is the sole protagonist, which limits variety. The difficulty curve is inconsistent; early-game enemies can be frustratingly difficult due to Goku’s low stats, while later battles become much easier as he levels up. Additionally, healing items are scarce, which can make some sections feel more tedious than challenging.
The absence of different game modes or extra content significantly reduces replay value. Once the story is completed, there’s little incentive to return to the game. The progression system and combat mechanics have a solid foundation but feel underdeveloped compared to other RPGs. While the gameplay is enjoyable in short bursts, it quickly becomes repetitive due to a lack of diversity in enemies, combat strategies, and mission structure.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Production
One of The Legacy of Goku’s strongest aspects is its presentation. The sprite-based graphics are colorful and capture the essence of the Dragon Ball Z world well. Characters and environments are easily recognizable, though the animations are somewhat stiff. The game does a decent job replicating the anime’s visual style, but some areas feel flat or underwhelming in terms of detail. Cutscenes use static images to portray key moments from the series, which helps with storytelling but lacks the energy and intensity of the anime.
The music is a standout feature, incorporating themes that align well with the Dragon Ball Z atmosphere. While the soundtrack does a great job setting the tone, it's worth noting that many later DBZ games failed to retain the series’ original themes. Sound effects for attacks and energy blasts are passable but lack impact, and the absence of voice acting makes key moments feel less immersive. While the game does a respectable job in terms of visuals and music, it falls short of fully capturing the high-energy spectacle of the anime.
Rating: 3 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku is a decent action RPG with solid music and an authentic DBZ aesthetic. However, its linear campaign, restrictive gameplay, and lack of replay value hold it back. It’s a fun experience for fans but lacks the depth to make it truly memorable. Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku gets 2 out of 5. I'm still a huge fan of the game I just wish that they had put more into it, especially given all of the great RPGs around the time.
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