Been playing the demo for Battle of Z, thought I'd let you all know what I thought. Visually, it’s very pretty in SP mode (seems to take a hit in MP, though it’s still not bad). Frame rate remains solid as well, despite the number of players and the size of the maps, so technically (though I can't say for certain having not played the console versions) it seems to stand up well compared to what I would expect the PS360 versions to be like
Gameplaywise it isn't quite the same sort of game a lot of people were expecting which is why I think it's going to get a lot of haters. Rather than a 3D over the shoulder fighter like the Budokai Tenkaichi games, it sort of combines elements of those games with ARPG/hunting game-lite elements, such as an EXP system and a load of equippable cards you can use to boost your stats and give you certain abilities
The movesets are simple and combos not especially deep or complex, but there are certain elements of strategy in the way you move around, trying to team up with your allies to catch an enemy outnumbered 2 or 3 to one. The potential for assist roles is quite interesting, healing and giving energy to allies, but there is problem with this.
The one major area where I hope Bamco make some changes is the lock-on system. When you lock-on to an enemy, the game usually chooses the nearest enemy who's on-screen. However, instead of staying with that one target, it flits between enemies as they get closer and further away, swinging the camera from one direction to the other rapidly.
It's a pain in the arse and makes playing missions more frustrating than it needs to be, made worse by the fact that it doesn't even do what it says as characters right in your face are often ignored as it targets enemies over the other side of the map. In SP when things aren't so chaotic it's alright, but it gets seriously irritating in MP when everyone is flying around firing ki blasts eveywhere and charging at you.
It also makes it very frustrating to play as a support type as you have to use the touch controls to switch lock-on to your allies before sending them energy or whatever and this is just too time consuming - in MP in particular by the time you're ready to do anything someone else will be kicking your arse or if you're trying to revive a downed ally, the 5 second window in MP will run out
At the minute the game is not too bad, but it needs some simple improvements to make it better - the lock-on system could do with a change, personally I would prefer it if the lock-on button just scrolled through the various targets. Also arrows showing you where everyone is would be useful - with the potential for different heights because of the ability to fly, a minimap alone isn't enough
On the whole I'm still going to buy it. I know that because I haven't played any of the previous DBZ games, the novelty factor may make me more forgiving about the game's flaws, but if you're a fan I still think it may be worth a purchase. Even if you're not, it could still be a good buy, just not at full price. Just don't go in expecting a 3D fighter like the Budokai Tenkaichi or Raging Blast games. It has its similarities, but Battle of Z is its own game. Unfortunately I think many people will make this mistake