A great game in some aspects but something is missing...
The storymode is different yet somewhat effective as you play through the missions as you like unlocking the rest of the stories as you complete a saga. The problem? A player unfamiliar to DBZ will be a bit befuddled to which way the story goes. Although they are in some sort of order, there are some additional sagas, giving the player a different sort of ending. Good but confusing in my book. I think just following the storyline of the DBZ animes would have been a better direction like in the other Budokai's rather than the 'Memories of Shenron". The game plays really well considering its completely different from the other titles, giving the player a real sense of what it would be like to fly around the DBZ world. Again there's something missing. Although the great number of characters, one of the things I missed was mid-battle transformations: something which I found hilarious in Budokai 3, fighting against my friends with Vegeta, screaming his catchphrases as I transformed into Majin and pummeled them into ash! Instead you unlock each transformation as separate characters, all well and good with their moves changing with their transformations in some of the fighters. But this also happened in Budokai 3, and you could see transform making it more fun for me really. Also Budokai 3 boasted some cool in-game cinematics where the blasts are really really BIG. Tenkaichi's arent, even for the bigger, finishing moves, they dont feel like them.
The graphics are good. A little better than Budokai 3 and some smoother character models. And it looks even closer to the anime series. The bit that got to me though was again the transformations. The upgrade in graphics could have boosted this part of the DBZ fantasy for me greatly! Also the environments; look great, but playing in them is different. instead of the wide spaces you expected, it feels even more confined than Budokai 3. Every time you fight, knock someone across the screen and rush after them you will undoubtably collide with the rainbows walls of the "arena". This breaks up your whole butt-kicking action because u kinda wanted to hit him through that big ol' mountain ahead of you Budokai 3 stylie and watch him expolde back intothe frams and recommence the fighting again.
I the best part is the sound. It really captures the DBZ essence. Even though I hear some don't like it, for die-hard fans you won't be able to get enough. Not only is the original soundtrack present, the voices of the characters are perfect, and you get good banter before and after the fight, sometimes a little during. I would liked more banter during but hey I can't get everything I want, can I?
£35 is average for games in the UK so I see this as a good deal to pick up. Although I would not that Budokai 3 is the better game, and has gone down in price through Tenkaichi's release. If I had to choose, Budokai 3 would be the better option. Tenkaichi is good, don't get me wrong, but the lack of mid-battle transformations really disappointed me. If you're a DBZ fan, buy it, if not, grab a rental, it plays really well and is a breath of fresh air to this franchise. Just I like my air with a Super Saiyan transformation during the game