Fighting Games Friday: Spirit and Soul

The formidable force that Bandai Namco has become within the fighting game space cannot be understated. I mentioned in a previous post how the company always likes to have a fighting game to promote. This started in the current console generation with Tekken 7, which led to the company focusing on Dragon Ball FighterZ after that title’s release. Since that game released in January, they’ve been focusing on Soulcalibur VI, while they’ll be able to focus more on Shonen Jump crossover title Jump Force after that game releases.

But that analysis leaves out an important element: Post-game content. During Dragon Ball FighterZ’s promotional cycle, they still provided and promoted DLC for Tekken 7 through balance patches and two guest characters: SNK’s Geese and Final Fantasy’s Noctis. Now, they’re doing the same for FighterZ, which is receiving more updates than Tekken 7 with its Season Pass providing four times the number of characters.

The Dragon Ball FighterZ DLC thus far has included unique characters with similarly unique move sets compared to the characters that were in the release version. The first duo included Bardock and Broly, while the second contained Blue Vegito and Fused Zamasu. Now, it’s receiving two noticeably less unique additions in Base Goku and Base Vegeta, the normal versions of the two iconic characters from the earliest seasons of Dragon Ball Z. One group of FighterZ players are perfectly fine with this, while there’s another rolling their eyes, thinking they’ve wasted two slots on additional versions of the same characters. This is the third version of Goku (fourth if you want to count Goku Black, who at least resembles him), and the third version of Vegeta.

Honestly, these inclusions will truly make FighterZ a Dragon Ball fighting game, on par with titles like Ultimate Battle 22 and Final Bout. Good luck topping the latter title, though, which had SIX versions of Goku.

Both the Base versions of Goku and Vegeta will have unique move sets featuring techniques the characters used before they achieved their Super Saiyan forms. Goku will use the Kaio-ken attack for special techniques, and can increase his power further depending on how many allies have been downed. It’s considerably different from how Blue Goku uses it, where it’s part of an ultimate attack. He can also use the Super Spirit Bomb as a special technique. It seems like a missed opportunity for him to lack the Power Pole, though, depending on how distinguishable his overall move set is compared to the other Goku iterations. Well, unless they’re saving that for Kid Goku.

Meanwhile, Vegeta will be able to use the Galick Gun from the ground and air. This will distinguish him from Blue Vegeta, who can only use it from the ground, though it’s a super technique for both of them. He can also use the Galaxy Breaker as his biggest technique, the move he used to kill Nappa. (That’s not a spoiler, right?) It’s a pity he doesn’t have his ape (aka “oozaru”) transformation for some kind of super move, but perhaps that would have been overboard.

The Base versions of Goku and Vegeta will arrive sometime in early August, before a new balance patch. They should be available for the Switch version when it arrives on September 28th — no, not for free. The port will receive a beta version in August, and include new features like 1-on-1 and 2-on-2 battles, and a six-player offline mode. There’s a lot happening with FighterZ next month, including how it could be the biggest showcase at Evo this year.

Another returning character has been confirmed for Soulcalibur VI: Voldo. He’s been part of the series since the beginning, and has a very distinguishable move set compared to anyone else in the franchise. This also makes him one of the hardest to play, as his moves and combos rely on different stances and attacks with unique properties. Coming along with that is another unique outfit to accommodate his bizarre mannerisms. He’s been dressed in leather bondage gear since the series’ inception with Soul Edge/Blade, and they’ve made his outfits slightly more outrageous over time. SCVI represents another slight escalation, especially when paired with some of his animations.

From the trailer, it appears that he’s retained most of his moves from previous titles. But like every returning character, he’ll have new moves not only thanks to this being a new game, but flashy attacks through new and adjusted features like the Reversal Edge and Lethal Hit.

Soulcalibur VI will release worldwide on October 19th. There’s no telling how many characters are left to reveal before the game releases, but some fans will be at the (soul) edge of their seats, eager to see if characters like Hwang Seong-gyeong and Seong Mi-na will make their return. I’m describing more than me there.

This current fighting game news is the calm before the storm, as there should be a handy helping of it from Evo next weekend, particularly on Sunday. You can expect a post from me highlighting all of it, but make sure to tune into the streams to watch the matches if you’re interested in fighting games. There will be plenty of entertaining bouts.