Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Daima Adventures Through The Demon Realm – Part 1, as the name may suggest, drops content based on Akira Toriyama’s final piece of Dragon Ball media, adapting the content of the show up to about episode 08 of the 20-episode series.
One of my biggest issues with Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, with its initial launch in 2020, was simply the fact that the game glossed over the original 1986 story, opting to (yet again) retell the events of Dragon Ball Z. Thankfully, the numerous DLC packs for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot have provided some unique content that typically doesn’t get the spot light when it comes to videogames based on the legendary series.
And I’m happy to report that Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot’s Daima DLC continues that trend, while, despite being based on the latest Dragon Ball anime series, it feels the closest Kakarot has been to adapting the adventures of kid Goku proper.
“Like previously released DLC packs for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, part 1 of the Daima content update can be enjoyed standalone from the base game. “
If you’re reading this, you likely don’t need an introduction on what exactly Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Daima Adventures Through The Demon Realm – Part 1 entails. Still, for the sake of brevity, this latest piece of DLC content for the game is a faithful retelling of the Dragon Ball Daima anime series, which takes place shortly after the end of Dragon Ball Z, but before the start of Dragon Ball Super.
Like previously released DLC packs for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, part 1 of the Daima content update can be enjoyed standalone from the base game. Upon entering the DLC, players have the option to tune in to a 20-minute prologue that goes over the events of the first two episodes of the anime series, before dropping players into the first level of the Demon Realm.
Although Dragon Ball Daima, the anime series, had better overall pacing than some other Dragon Ball projects, primarily due to its length of only 20 episodes, the game version of the content is an excellent way to experience the story, as it is free from the restraints of a weekly release schedule. Of course, as Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Daima Adventures Through The Demon Realm – Part 1 is content designed for a video game, there has to be added content that pads out the experience and actually makes it engaging to play.
Thankfully, the first part of the big Daima update for Kakarot manages to balance the canon-story content found in the show with new avenues that flesh out the Demon Realm in ways that don’t overtly feel like filler or game-only content that feels out of place. Instead, CyberConnect2 has done a great job of making the world of Daima come to life, giving players the opportunity to explore one of the more interesting locations featured in Dragon Ball.
“Thankfully, the first part of the big Daima update for Kakarot manages to balance the canon-story content found in the show…”
Like the base game and previously released DLCs, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Daima Adventures Through The Demon Realm – Part 1 features all the gameplay conventions found in earlier entries, including optional side quests, training challenges, and hidden items strewn about the game map. Part 1 of the Daima Pack also features a somewhat new mechanic, which allows Goku and company to fly up to floating islands on the overworld, which often have extra items and secrets to uncover.
On top of several Horde Battles, two major boss fights and the aforementioned side quests and Demon Realm biome to explore, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Daima Adventures Through The Demon Realm – Part 1 takes about 5 hours to get through. The biggest win of experiencing Daima through the lens of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, however, is simply getting to experience a more grounded version of the overpowered Sayian, one restrained to walking on the ground and, best of all, getting to use the iconic Nyoibou or Power Pole in fights, is an element that feels perfect for the action adventure genre.
In truth, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot Daima Adventures Through The Demon Realm – Part 1 doesn’t add anything that drastically changes the formula of the game or features new content that anime fans should check out, but instead, feels like a solid piece of extra content that Daima die-hards will enjoy and another great faithful adaptation of the anime for Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot.
