Why Did Bandai Namco Move on from Xenoverse 1 So Quickly? | Community Weighs In
The gaming community is buzzing with questions about Bandai Namco's decision to pivot away from Xenoverse 1 just a year after its launch. Many fans view it as a prototype rather than a completed title, and the ongoing discussions on forums and user boards reveal mixed sentiments about the game.
Yearly Game Cycle Disrupted
Xenoverse 1 broke the tradition of annual Dragon Ball Z game releases. Originally set for fall 2014, it launched in early 2015 due to multiple delays, leading some to think annualism is out. One user noted, "It worked; it was a big success, yet they realized, let’s be honest here, X1 is a rather bad game.”
Improvement Through Contrast
Continuing criticism holds that Xenoverse 1 fell short on gameplay. Users are vocal about the bland lobby experience, alleging that navigating it was frustrating. "Moving from one side to the other without vehicles or flying was like pulling teeth," one comment said. Many also feel Xenoverse 2 vastly improved on its predecessor, with enhanced mechanics and content.
Key Improvements:
Introduced more engaging story elements in Xenoverse 2
Fixed issues like frustrating missions in the original game
An avid player remarked, "Didn't feel finished; it seems bland. I feel like I played it for four years, though I bought Xenoverse 2 day one!"
Future of the Series
Next, the community is looking ahead. There's a consensus that Xenoverse 3 could bring features that Xenoverse 2 didn’t explore. “I have a feeling XV3 will be like that too unless we get OG DragonBall fighting mechanics,” expressed a long-time player.
The growing expectation for deeper gameplay remains vivid. In the words of another commenter, “Some missions were easier to get through than others, like the Cell fight — the difficulty scaling was all over the place.”
Key Observations
It’s clear that many in the community believe Xenoverse 1 barely scratched the surface of what a Dragon Ball game could offer.
◼️ DLC Strategy: Bandai’s focus shifted toward DLC for profit.
◻️ Community Sentiment: Mixed feelings about the initial release; labeled as "beta version" by some.
▢ Anticipated Features: Hopes for refined mechanics in future games.
Interestingly, one user summarizes, "Replay value is painful; it's better money spent on Xenoverse 2 for its story. They’ll likely prioritize DLC over standalone releases due to profit success.”
As they await news on Xenoverse 3, gamers continue to share their experiences. The lively conversations reveal that the passion for the franchise remains strong, driving anticipation for future installments.