The long-awaited entry in the Budokai Tenkaichi series has finally arrived, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. The game is currently available for players who pre-ordered the game as early access. Fully releasing on October 11, this title will serve as the direct sequel to the beloved Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3, which captivated fans back in 2007.
However, it looks like players’ excitement has quickly turned into frustration. Players were expecting the game to offer a seamless journey through nostalgic backdrops filled with a diverse roster of Dragon Ball characters. This nostalgic journey has been interrupted by a surprising roadblock: the first Episode boss battle against Great Ape Vegeta.
When players first dive into Sparking Zero, they expect a nostalgic experience with a smoother difficulty curve that would allow them to enjoy the epic story and the vast roster of Dragon Ball. Instead, they were met with a formidable challenge in the very first episode (which follows the major arcs in Anime) as Goku faces off against Great Ape Vegeta.
This boss has quickly garnered attention from the community for being annoying, particularly its relentless attacks and surprising defensive mechanics. At first, Great Ape Vegeta bombards players with a flurry of Galik Guns, making it hard to find openings for counterattacks.
Once players start to chip away at his health, the boss dramatically shifts his attack pattern and becomes more defensive. This starts the boss’ relentless blocking and grabbing, if players are not careful he will punish them. This shift in attacking patterns and movesets not only tests players’ reflexes but also their patience. This has led to widespread discontent in the gaming community.
The discussions have drawn comparisons to the recent changes in Elden Ring. In that game, the developers had to nerf the infamous Promised Consort Radahn fight (Final boss of the DLC Shadow of the Erdtree) by lowering his damage and also changing his hitbox.
This was done after players expressed great frustration on various social media platforms and gaming forums that the challenge was less enjoyable. For many, it felt more like a barrier to progression (restricting them from completing the DLC). It seems that history might repeat itself if the developers of Sparking Zero, Spike Chunsoft, decide to take action.
Given the level of frustration voiced by players, especially among those who pre-ordered, it’s clear that developers may need to address the difficulty of Great Ape Vegeta very soon. What players need is a small patch that could introduce the required adjustments, allowing for a more balanced fight.
However, developers also need to make sure the boss fight doesn’t lose the essence of what makes boss battles in the Dragon Ball series exciting: the ability to overcome unforgiving odds. So the fix could involve tweaking the frequency of his attacks or adjusting his defensive mechanics during the encounter.
As Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero continues to impress players worldwide, it remains to be seen how developers will respond to player feedback. While the intention to create a challenging experience is appreciated, getting the right balance between challenge and enjoyment is also important. Otherwise, Great Ape Vegeta will also be remembered as a frustrating roadblock, just like Radahn was in Elden Ring.
In the end, the community has also been active in giving advice to the struggling players, but they are also hoping that a change will soon arrive and swiftly resolve this fierce and frustrating battle.
Did you clear the Great Ape Boss in one go, or Did you struggle as well? Tell us in the comment section below.
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