Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 First Impressions: Our 10-Year Wait Is Over!

Dragon Ball Xenoverse veteran Will Borger joins IGN’s Ryan McCaffrey to give his first impressions of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 after getting to play the long-awaited action/brawler follow-up after waiting a decade since Xenoverse 2.

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Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 First Impressions: Our 10-Year Wait Is Over!

The long-awaited Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 is finally on the table, and the initial hands-on experience suggests a title that respects its roots while confidently pushing into new territory. After a decade of anticipation from fans who followed every patch, rumor, and tease, Bandai Namco appears to have crafted a package that balances fan service with thoughtful, modernized gameplay design. Here are our early impressions from a focused session that highlights what feels new, what remains faithful, and where the experience may head next.

First impressions often hinge on two pillars: the core combat loop and the world-building that surrounds it. Xenoverse 3 delivers a refined version of the familiar combat system that has defined the franchise since its inception. A more responsive feel accompanies the timing windows, reducing input lag and making combos feel punchier without sacrificing the strategic rhythm fans have grown to appreciate. Skill trees and ultimate moves have expanded branches, inviting experimentation and deeper build customization. The new energy management mechanics, while subtle, add a tactical layer that rewards situational awareness—knowing when to extend a combo, switch stances, or unleash a devastating finisher can turn the tide of battle in moments.

The world itself presents a confident synthesis of open-world exploration and structured mission design. The hub areas feel expansive, with a microcosm of Dragon Ball lore offered through environments, NPC diversions, and collectible lore fragments. The mission variety is noticeable: you’ll encounter sprinting time-rifts, mirror battles, and cooperative quests that encourage team play without forcing it. The narrative threads weave familiar arcs with fresh connective tissue, allowing both longtime fans and newcomers to feel the stakes without wading through expository fatigue.

Character progression and customization are standout elements in this iteration. The character creator continues to impress with a wide palette of visual options, including new transformations and a broader roster of aura and particle effects. The customization extends to combat style, with several new martial arts disciplines and energy-based techniques that feel distinct from one another. This variety pays dividends in multiplayer contexts, where diverse builds lead to dynamic, ever-adapting encounters rather than predictable one-note skirmishes.

Graphics and presentation have taken a meaningful leap forward. Environments feel more alive, with weather systems, dynamic lighting, and more expressive enemy animations. The soundtrack leans into orchestral and high-energy tracks that match the tempo of each encounter, creating a sense of momentum whether you’re battling a rival in a crowded plaza or escaping a collapsing timeline corridor. The user interface has been streamlined for clarity, reducing menu clutter and helping players focus on strategy rather than navigation.

A core question for any Xenoverse title is how it handles online play and content longevity. Early sessions indicate a robust matchmaking system, with quick lobbies for both casual skirmishes and cooperative runs. The post-launch roadmap appears to promise frequent updates, more story quests, and a steady cadence of new content, which bodes well for a title designed to be revisited across many months and perhaps years. While it’s premature to quantify matchmaking stability and server health, the early indicators are positive and suggest an ongoing, engaged community will form around the game.

What to watch for as players dive deeper: balance and pacing. The presence of several viable playstyles is encouraging, but there is a natural risk of certain builds dominating specific modes. Bandai Namco’s approach to balancing patches and content drops will likely shape the game’s long-term vitality. Additionally, the narrative arc’s ability to sustain momentum beyond the initial wow-factor will determine whether Xenoverse 3 remains a go-to destination for Dragon Ball fans or becomes a well-loved but transitional chapter.

In summary, Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 arrives with confidence, delivering a polished, ambitious package that honors the series’ core strengths while introducing meaningful refinements. For veterans, there’s enough new mechanical nuance to rekindle the thrill of discovery. For newcomers, the entry point is welcoming and clearly designed to scale with time. If the first impressions are any indication, the decade-long wait has yielded a flagship experience that could define the franchise for the next era of Dragon Ball gaming.