Xenoverse

Xenoverse is a video game franchise developed by Dimps and published by Bandai Namco, based on the Dragon Ball anime and manga. The games center on a customizable Time Patroller who travels through time to prevent or repair changes to the Dragon Ball timeline, collaborating with iconic characters from the series and facing altered battles.

The first entry, Dragon Ball Xenoverse, released in 2015 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Windows, introduced a cel-shaded, action role-playing experience. Players create a customizable protagonist from several playable races and develop their character through training, combat, and progression. The core gameplay blends melee combat with ki-based attacks and allows players to cooperate online in Parallel Quests that retell or modify established Dragon Ball events. The narrative entwines with major plotlines from the Dragon Ball Z era, with cameos by series protagonists.

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 followed in 2017 with revised mechanics and expanded content. Headlines include a larger hub world, Conton City, reinforced online support, and an extended roster of quests and character customization options. The second game also broadened the backdrop to include events from Dragon Ball Super, along with post-launch downloadable content and seasonal updates. Both titles emphasize multiplayer engagement through co-op missions and competitive modes, and they employ cel-shaded visuals to resemble the source material.

Reception to the Xenoverse titles has generally been favorable for combat depth and character customization, while criticism has targeted repetitive mission design and gaps in narrative depth compared to the original Dragon Ball series.