
You can have a maximum of three characters, but they have to be under a certain amount of points. This is where you'll find that characters are assigned points based on their power, similar to Capcom vs. As you unlock hidden characters, you'll find some are overwhelmingly more powerful than others. In all modes other than the Story mode (where you're assigned specific characters from mission to mission), you can select your characters, though some strategy is definitely required. Once unlocked the extra abilities will be available in all modes of gameplay including versus. Everything from special attacks to hidden characters to the ability to become a Super Saiyan (where applicable) are available to be unlocked. The mode also contains the vast majority of the unlockables the game has to offer. Things like characters boasting that the opponent can't cause any harm or that a very specific attack is incredibly powerful (which would mean get a perfect victory or use a given attack respectively) are annoying and can totally soar over the heads of players. The conditions for progression are hidden within the pre-battle text-based banter. The issue is that the game doesn't tell you what the conditions are. One major gripe with this mode is that to unlock the branching story missions, a specific set of criteria not so bad, right? That's not quite the problem. A given character's story is laid out on a grid-based map, with a path of missions that can be taken and some branching storylines that bring some new perspectives to the universe. Though it is plagued with a hammy narrative, including lines like "within this gentle-hearted legendary warrior, a terrible rage has been awakened." the fact that each character has his own storyline that parallels the others adds a new take that works rather well. The Story mode has the meat of the game and includes an interesting new take.
