Sparking! ZERO excels when it comes to character variety: with an expansive roster that spans across Dragon Ball lore. From beloved iconic heroes like Goku and Vegeta to lesser-known fan favorites such as Caulifla and Hit, players will have plenty of characters available from which to select their ideal playstyles and build characters within Sparking! ZERO. This lineup provides incredible depth.

But is merely having an extensive cast enough to make Sparking? ZERO innovative? Yes; its varied roster does add some freshness, particularly given that developers spent the time to give each fighter his/her distinct abilities and playstyle - an approach utilized successfully by Dragon Ball FighterZ as well in making sure no two characters felt identical even though they shared similarities in terms of abilities within the source material.

However, unlike Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's roster of fighters from various franchises spanning various age categories and gender roles, Sparking! ZERO feels more predictable. Though characters vary considerably when it comes to individual movesets and energy-blasting abilities, most still function within the familiar framework of Dragon Ball combat which predominantly relies on fast-paced melee attacks and energy-blasting moves; therefore the game doesn't venture too far outside its comfort zone.

Sparking! ZERO could have taken an additional innovative leap by including mechanics that significantly alter how certain characters play. A game like Street Fighter VI brings something different for each character in terms of strategy; some focus on zone defense while others rely on grappling or rushdown techniques; however in Sparking! ZERO these differences tend more towards animation or aesthetics rather than playstyle innovation.

Multiplayer and Online Infrastructure: Staying Ahead of Competitors

Innovation in fighting games goes beyond characters or combat mechanics alone; it also requires taking into consideration its approach to multiplayer and online infrastructure. Since esports competition is increasing in importance, gaming titles must now take account of both how well they support a global player base as well as how effectively their gameplay itself meets that criterion - this area, in particular, was addressed in Dragon Ball Sparking! ZERO but did not set new standards.

Sparking! ZERO makes use of rollback netcode, an integral feature for smooth online matches in fast-paced fighting games such as Sparking! ZERO. This decision was smart; rollback netcode has quickly become an expectation in the fighting game community over recent years with Guilty Gear Strive and Street Fighter VI setting an excellent precedent in this respect. Furthermore, Sparking! ZERO provides players with various matchmaking filters that prioritize connection strength or regional proximity for improved match quality.

However, while its online infrastructure is secure and enjoyable to play on, its unique ideas fall flat when compared to rival games like Mortal Kombat 1 or Street Fighter VI which offer crossplay features, in-depth ranked systems, and training tools designed for all skill levels that stand out. Sparking! ZERO doesn't push its online modes as far compared to others on offer such as these titles do - which may prove disappointing given all they offer for casual gamers like myself who may prefer them anyway!

Presentation and Storytelling: Staying Comfortable

Dragon Ball games have always excelled when it comes to presentation and Sparking! ZERO follows this tradition perfectly. From character models to cinematic camera angles framing each fight sequence, Sparking!

Sparking! ZERO may appear more conservative when compared to other modern fighting games that have made progress with narrative innovation, like Mortal Kombat with its cinematic story modes; though its story mode revisits iconic moments from anime series like Naruto or does offer one, unlike those found elsewhere. However, other than offering this mode, Sparking! ZERO doesn't explore storytelling like other modern fighters do.

Sparking! ZERO could have distinguished itself with a deeper exploration of "what-if" scenarios or alternate timelines that push its narrative in unexpected directions. Though there are glimpses of this happening here and there, most of its story mode feels largely like a retelling of familiar events compared to Injustice 2 and Mortal Kombat which feature immersive narratives as part of their gameplay experience; Sparking! ZERO however remains true to its established formula without venturing beyond it.

Refinements to combat, an expanded roster, and improved online play all represent steps forward for this beloved series, making ZERO feel like an ode to everything that makes Dragon Ball exciting - even though its contribution won't push forward the genre itself! For fans of this franchise, however, it will likely feel more like an expression of love than anything groundbreaking about this particular title!

Conclusion: Innovation in Moderation

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO isn't one of the more groundbreaking fighting games out there, yet that doesn't detract from its value. Building upon years of Dragon Ball games that came before it, Sparking! ZERO provides an enjoyable, polished experience while staying true to anime spirit and staying true to other competing titles that push innovation with mechanics or groundbreaking storytelling, this one takes it easy and is enjoyable all-in.

Sparking! ZERO may not set the bar when it comes to radical innovation or genre-defining features, but for players looking for high-energy fighting games with visually stunning combat that captures the feel of Dragon Ball, it certainly delivers! Innovation doesn't necessarily entail reinventing everything: Sparking! ZERO strikes the perfect balance between honoring its roots and offering enough refinements that keep fans coming back for more!