Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 Could Redefine the Series With Its New RPG-Focused Direction

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 has finally received a substantial new trailer, giving fans their first detailed look at what Bandai Namco has been building after more than a decade of support for Xenoverse 2. The three-minute showcase showed players West City and some new gameplay features, story details, and characters. 

While the Xenoverse series has always revolved around protecting Dragon Ball's timeline, the latest entry appears to be moving in a different direction. From what we’ve seen so far, Xenoverse 3 places much greater emphasis on an original story and a brand-new setting.

The game takes place in West City during Age 1000, introducing players to life as a student at West City University. 

Rather than immediately focusing on familiar Dragon Ball events, the story appears to center around a new organization known as the GS Squad. The players of the group are recruited to expand their powers and fight for justice, as they travel across a world that feels out of place in the standard Dragon Ball story. 

The trailer also teased a much greater focus on exploration. It looks like West City will be far more detailed than the hubs from previous Xenoverse games; there are multiple locations for players to visit and interact with. The sheer level of investment in the world itself suggests that Bandai Namco wants players to spend more time with the setting outside of combat. 

The trailer introduced several characters, with a mix of familiar and new faces. Trunks, Piccolo, Tien, Krillin, Vegeta, and many other classic Dragon Ball characters are all present. But Bandai Namco also seems to be giving a lot of focus on original characters who will be key players in the story. 

One of the biggest draws is the game’s commitment to an original story. In previous Xenoverse titles, for example, new scenarios and timeline changes were added but remained very much in the shadow of the core events of the Dragon Ball universe.

Xenoverse 3 seems to be moving further away from that structure by introducing a new world, new characters, and a story not completely reliant on retelling familiar sagas. That change could be one of the biggest strengths of the game for longtime fans who have seen countless Dragon Ball adaptations over the years.

The trailer was packed with fast-paced action, and combat remains a big priority. There was a lot of use of familiar techniques such as Super Saiyan transformations and Kaioken attacks. Xenoverse fans can expect the same speed and spectacle from battles, but with some added mechanics to give players even more options. 

The game's official description reinforces that direction. 

According to Bandai Namco, Xenoverse 3 represents a new chapter for the franchise and combines a story-driven RPG structure with high-speed action gameplay. Players will create their own hero and explore a brand new setting imagined within the Dragon Ball universe. 

What is particularly exciting about the focus on role-playing elements is that it suggests that character progression and narrative choices could be more important than they have been in the past. That would give players more control over how their journey unfolds rather than simply following a predetermined path.

That emphasis on RPG might help distinguish Xenoverse 3 from other recent Dragon Ball releases. Games such as Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot were heavy on retelling old stories, but Xenoverse 3 appears to be taking a different approach. The aim seems to be to create a world where your custom character is the main attraction, rather than just watching existing heroes go on adventures. 

Location of the new adventure: West City. Players will spend their time exploring the city, uncovering story content and interacting with classic and original characters. Bulma and Gamma 1 are some of the notable characters that help introduce players to the world and the GS Squad. 

Character creation has been one of the defining features of the franchise, and it looks like Xenoverse 3 is going to be expanding on the system. It is said that different races have more of an impact on the gameplay than before. Race selection will affect combat choices and playstyles throughout the game, not just looks and a couple of abilities. 

Saiyans will continue to access their iconic Super Saiyan transformations and evolving power levels. Earthlings, however, are receiving unique mechanics of their own. A new Solar Assist system allows Earthling characters to perform powerful attacks alongside allies from the Dragon Ball universe. 

The Soul Switch mechanic is another new feature. 

This system allows players to use the power of established Dragon Ball characters for a limited time while they’re in battle. You can borrow powers from characters such as Krillin, Piccolo, Vegeta, Future Trunks, and Tien to give your custom hero new abilities and combat options. 

One of the greatest challenges Xenoverse 3 will probably face is balancing original storytelling with fan-favorite characters. Of course, DB fans will want to see familiar heroes play important roles, but the game also seems determined to make its own identity. The Soul Switch system might be a way to do both, letting players experience iconic abilities without detracting from the main story. 

Fans have been waiting for Xenoverse 3 for a long time, so the hype is understandable. Xenoverse 2 came out in October 2016 and continued to receive updates for years. Few games have enjoyed that level of long-term support, particularly within the anime gaming space. Even now, support for Xenoverse 2 has not fully disappeared, making the transition to a new entry feel like the end of a very long era.

Assuming the current timeline remains unchanged, Xenoverse 3 is expected to launch in 2027.

That would place the release roughly 11 years after Xenoverse 2 first arrived. Considering that Xenoverse 1 and Xenoverse 2 launched only a few years apart, the wait for a third installment has been unusually long. Expectations are naturally high because of that gap.

Bandai Namco also appears prepared to support Xenoverse 3 for years after launch. Publisher’s take on Xenoverse 2 shows a willingness to deliver long-term updates, new content, and ongoing player support. It's likely that Xenoverse 3 will be treated the same. 

Everything shown so far points toward a larger and more ambitious experience than previous entries. As Xenoverse 3 aims to take the franchise to the next level with expanded exploration, deeper RPG mechanics, new combat systems, and a stronger focus on original storytelling. After more than a decade of waiting, fans have more of a sense of what’s next.