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DEAD OR ALIVE 3 (XBOX)
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Publisher: Tecmo.
Developer: Team Ninja. Released: March 2002 (Europe). Genre: 3D Beat 'em up. Posted 11th July 2014. By Shane Battams © 2014 |
Though many fighters have gone multi-platform, there was a clear level of exclusivity back in the 6th generation. PlayStation had Tekken, Nintendo had Super Smash Bros., while Microsoft relied on Dead or Alive. Always somewhat of an underdog franchise, Dead or Alive still impressed critics with its stunning visuals and unique fighting systems. A black-box exclusive for much of the 6th gen, Dead or Alive would even jump to the frontline as a launch-title alongside the likes of Halo and Max Payne. It proved a literal-powerhouse, remaining one of the best looking games to come out on the Xbox. But looks sadly do not kill, and for Dead or Alive 3, it needed to bring the gameplay chops to compete against other fighters.
And while not much different to its predecessors, DOA3 still brings a healthy dose of great fighting to the black box. The game remains a 3D fighter, but makes a few tweaks to differentiate itself from DOA2. The main change is that juggling has been almost reduced to a secondary element, keeping things more grounded in the literal sense. Not only that, but the timing for counters has been increased and unrestricted 3D movement became a key element for the rest of the series. What this ultimately did was make a fighting game for non-fighter fans; accessibility was now at the forefront. When you combine these tweaks with a Sparring mode, which allows you to practice till your fingers bleed, then DOA3 has quite widespread appeal.
DOA3 continues the series' penchant for excellent animation
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And by "this", she of course means: "cause you intense pain"
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Despite these changes though, it’s still very much a DOA game. Countering, despite its increased timing, is the key to success, as any character can grab a punch or kick and counter it to turn an opponent’s offence and use it as your own. Environmental interactions also are a core component of DOA3, and they are pretty awesome. In essence, if you can smash your enemy through something in real life, chances are you can do so in DOA3. Windows can be smashed, walls can be knocked through, and lengthy cliffs are just waiting to chip at your health meter. Dead or Alive 3 is a pretty rowdy fighter, when you consider all these elements, making it a great social fighter, but one which may bore the hardcore fans.
The only major issue you could level at DOA3’s fighting system is the roster. It borrows much of the roster and moves from DOA2, creating a sense of familiarity. Four new characters do debut though; including high-school Karate expert Hitomi and Brad Wong, the kind of drunken master Jackie Chan would play in his films. They bring new moves and fun to the table, but there’s an underlying sense that much of DOA3’s roster has been recycled from DOA2. Not only that, but balancing issues persist. There’s a sense that larger characters just do not fare as well in combat, being more susceptible to counters and proving difficult to pull off juggling combos with. On the other hand, faster characters are harder to fight, with quick counters and tough combos. These issues don’t spoil DOA3, but compared to the likes of Tekken 3 and the original Soul Calibur, it feels inferior.
DOA3 comes with a small bag of modes which, while fun, don’t extend replay value much. The highlight is the story mode, where a series of fights are mixed with in-engine cut-scenes and absurd full-motion endings attempt to fill you in on some kind of backstory. It never makes much sense, but you’re compelled to fight despite that. Time Attack challenges you to finish said story mode in record time, while Survival Mode keeps throwing fighters at you until you’re KO’d. Team Battle pits 5v5 in Elimination-style matches, a la Tekken 3. But DOA3’s most appealing mode is its multiplayer, especially playing 5v5 Team Battles. The combination of an accessible system and chaotic fighting make DOA3 one to savour for the couch battles.
The only major issue you could level at DOA3’s fighting system is the roster. It borrows much of the roster and moves from DOA2, creating a sense of familiarity. Four new characters do debut though; including high-school Karate expert Hitomi and Brad Wong, the kind of drunken master Jackie Chan would play in his films. They bring new moves and fun to the table, but there’s an underlying sense that much of DOA3’s roster has been recycled from DOA2. Not only that, but balancing issues persist. There’s a sense that larger characters just do not fare as well in combat, being more susceptible to counters and proving difficult to pull off juggling combos with. On the other hand, faster characters are harder to fight, with quick counters and tough combos. These issues don’t spoil DOA3, but compared to the likes of Tekken 3 and the original Soul Calibur, it feels inferior.
DOA3 comes with a small bag of modes which, while fun, don’t extend replay value much. The highlight is the story mode, where a series of fights are mixed with in-engine cut-scenes and absurd full-motion endings attempt to fill you in on some kind of backstory. It never makes much sense, but you’re compelled to fight despite that. Time Attack challenges you to finish said story mode in record time, while Survival Mode keeps throwing fighters at you until you’re KO’d. Team Battle pits 5v5 in Elimination-style matches, a la Tekken 3. But DOA3’s most appealing mode is its multiplayer, especially playing 5v5 Team Battles. The combination of an accessible system and chaotic fighting make DOA3 one to savour for the couch battles.
Wouldn't be DOA without some beach brawling
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A curio shop is an ideal front for beating people senseless for a living
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DOA3 generated a lot of hype before its release as a technical showcase of Microsoft’s new console. And it didn’t disappoint – DOA3 is absolutely gorgeous. And I don’t just mean the female fighters! The environments are the highlight, with intense detail on each arena and great interactive destruction. There’s also a good variety, with a snow-covered Dojo, the Neon streets of Tokyo and weird Laboratories. Characters look great, featuring a good level of detail, but it’s really the animation which stands out. Each move looks absolutely smooth, and it would prove a benchmark for fighting game animation. The only minor issue is that characters show no visible damage, but it’s still so impressive looking. Audio brings a fair punch, with bone-crunching sound effects, up-beat techno music which fits, and – mercifully – full Japanese voice acting.
Dead or Alive 3 may not be a genre-defining beat ‘em up, but as a launch title for Xbox, it’s pretty much spot-on. Showcasing the Xbox’s graphical prowess, it is still one of the best looking fighters of its era. And though nowhere near as game-changing, DOA’s engine is still super-solid at this point, despite some balancing issues. It is especially great as a party-fighter, featuring more accessibility and fun as a multiplayer game. Despite that appeal, it can feel a little light on modes, and anyone used to the likes of Soul Calibur and Tekken will probably turn their nose up at DOA3’s perverted, chaotic fighting engine. But for fans of the series, and those not weaned on the hadoukens of Street Fighter, it’s pretty darn fun.
Dead or Alive 3 may not be a genre-defining beat ‘em up, but as a launch title for Xbox, it’s pretty much spot-on. Showcasing the Xbox’s graphical prowess, it is still one of the best looking fighters of its era. And though nowhere near as game-changing, DOA’s engine is still super-solid at this point, despite some balancing issues. It is especially great as a party-fighter, featuring more accessibility and fun as a multiplayer game. Despite that appeal, it can feel a little light on modes, and anyone used to the likes of Soul Calibur and Tekken will probably turn their nose up at DOA3’s perverted, chaotic fighting engine. But for fans of the series, and those not weaned on the hadoukens of Street Fighter, it’s pretty darn fun.
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VERDICT
Visual: 10/10 Audio: 7/10 Gameplay: 7/10 Longevity: 6/10 OVERALL: 7/10 |