Arc System Works is known as a developer and publisher of a variety of games, but they are most known for their work in developing fighting games with an anime aesthetic. Their claim to fame lies in the Guilty Gear series, as well as other fighting game series such BlazBlue.

Related:Best Arc System Works Fighting Games, Ranked (According To Metacritic)

Arc System Works has recently started a trend of creating fighting games from licensed franchises. The best example of these is Dragon Ball FighterZ and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. While both of these games are made by the same company, they are very different games. Here are some of the many differences between the two games.

10 The Games Represent Different Franchises

DBFZ SS Goku

One of the more obvious differences between the two games is that they are based on two different franchises: Dragon Ball FighterZ is based on the Dragon Ball series, while Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is based on the Persona games, particularly Persona 3 and 4.

What's also notable is that the two games are based on different types of media; Dragon Ball FighterZ is based around manga and anime, while Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is based around RPGs, and the gameplay and aesthetics of each game change to match it.

9 Dragon Ball FighterZ Is 3D, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Is 2D

S. Chie performing an autocombo on Yosuke

Dragon Ball FighterZ caught the world's attention when it showed off Arc System Works's patented style of 3D modeling, giving the game a 2D, anime-like feel while still using 3D models. This revolutionary modeling style is one of the most unique aesthetic styles in gaming, and it served the game's popularity well.

In comparison, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax uses 2D sprites to model its characters. Since Ultimax is an older game, it makes sense that it would use an older style of character modeling compared to Dragon Ball FighterZ. Nevertheless, both games look great for their time.

8 Dragon Ball FighterZ Is A Team Game

DBFZ Goku, Vegeta, and Gohan vs. Frieza, Cell, and Majin Buu

Most fighting games are 1-on-1, including iconic series like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Tekken. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is similarly also 1-on-1, although Personas technically serve as a secondary support.

However, Dragon Ball FighterZ is a team-based game, and features 3-on-3 matches versus the usual 1-on-1. While it isn't the first game to have 3-on-3 gameplay, it does boost the game's hype, especially with such an iconic cast of characters.

7 Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Has Status Effects

P4AU Yukari inflicting Charm on Yosuke

Since it is based on a role-playing game series, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax does carry on some aspects from its parent series. One such example is the status effects system, in which characters may be able to inflict status effects on their opponents.

Related:Dragon Ball: Craziest What-If Stories From The Games

Depending on the character, opponents can be poisoned, charmed, muted and much more. Status effects are pretty unusual for a fighting game, which makes them stand out in Ultimax. Many of these status effects are taken directly from the games, so avid Persona fans will have a pretty good idea of what each status effect does.

6 Dragon Ball FighterZ Has Tag Team Mechanics

DBFZ Gohan assisting Goku with an attack against Frieza

As a 3-on-3 game, Dragon Ball FighterZ has many mechanics that allow players to have the team interplay with each other. Many of Dragon Ball FighterZ's mechanics are inspired by the fighting game Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, which is also a 3-on-3 game.

While players can only control one character at a time in Dragon Ball FighterZ, they can switch out their main active character for another on their team. They can also have their standby characters help out the active character with assists, extending combos or making openings.

5 P4AU Features Alternate Versions Of Characters

Shadow Yu vs Normal Yu in battle

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax features a considerable roster of over twenty playable characters. In addition to this, many of these characters have Shadow-Type versions, which play similarly to the normal characters but can make use of different mechanics.

Shadow-Type Characters are interesting because they add an extra dimension to character choice. Not only will a player have to choose which character to play, but also which version will be better. There is not necessarily a right answer, which can make these choices interesting to see.

4 DBFZ Has Clone Characters

DBFZ SS Goku vs Base Goku

Dragon Ball FighterZ has a large roster of over forty playable characters from all over the Dragon Ball manga and anime series. While many of those characters are unique characters taken from all over the series, the roster also features a number of clone characters, primarily clones of Goku and Vegeta.

Related:Dragon Ball FighterZ And Xenoverse 2 Both Reach Impressive Milestone

These clone characters usually represent different forms of a character (i.e. Base Goku vs. Super Saiyan Blue Goku). While these characters often play quite similarly, other clone characters (such as Majin Android 21 and Lab Coat Android 21) may play completely differently.

3 Their Story Modes Work Differently

P4AU Yosuke and Chie talking

While many fighting games do not spend too much effort on their story modes, Dragon Ball FighterZ and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax are quite different. This is because these games are based on series with a lot of story, and so their story modes feature a robust plotline.

However, the two games approach story mode differently. Dragon Ball FighterZ has a board game-like system where players must progress while achieving certain objectives. In Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, the story proceeds like a visual novel, with some fights placed in between.

2 Online Functionality Is Very Different

DBFZ's online lobby with avatars

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax and Dragon Ball FighterZ both feature online functionality, but to different extents. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax features a basic lobby system where players can meet up in order to play games against each other. There is also a matchmaking mode where players can wait for the game to search an opponent for them to play.

In comparison, Dragon Ball FighterZ has a much more integrated online system. Players will spend most of their time online in a lobby, where they can access all of the game's various features and interact with other players at the same time.

1 Cinematic Finishers Are Implemented Differently

Yu Narukami using his Instant Kill

As games that are based on other franchises, Arc System Works has worked to implement cinematic aspects that appeal to the flashier aspects of these properties. Dragon Ball FighterZ features Dramatic Finishes that emulate scenes from the manga and anime, while Persona 4 Arena Ultimax features Instant Kills based on character abilities and moves from the games.

However, the games implement these finishers differently. Dramatic Finishers require certain characters to be in play, as well as ending the fight with the right last character. Instant Kills, meanwhile, require a lot of resources and are harder to use in gameplay.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Arcade, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, and Xbox 360.

Dragon Ball FighterZ is available now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.

More:Why A Persona 5 Fighting Game Makes Sense