Dead or Alive 4: Review
The oft delayed yet greatly anticipated release of Dead or Alive 4 marks the advent of the first fighting game for the Xbox 360.
Team Ninja is well known for their previous iterations of the Dead or Alive franchise that have always delivered fantastic visuals, great gameplay, and buxom beauties. With that formula, the developers have concocted a helping for the next-generation Xbox 360 console.
Dead of Alive 4 graphics: Gorgeous!
Just as expected, the graphics as a whole are incredibly captivating. The character models have their distinct style you’ve come to expect. Textures on their garments and costumes let you see every stitch. As in previous Dead Or Alive games, the character models have a certain “satin doll” look to them. With DOA4, the developers have just now taken it to a new level.
What will really get you, as it always does, are the backgrounds. Interactive elements, such as knocking an opponent into a kiosk of oranges in the seaside plaza, make the settings come to life. The multi-tiered environments are even more awe-inspiring. Whether it’s downstairs or off a bridge into a stream below, the action never stops. Great, lush shrubbery and thirst-inducing water are just some of the truly spectacular things you can expect to see.
Gameplay
This is not simply DOA 3 in high definition 1080i. Besides the upgraded visuals, Team Ninja also tweaked the gameplay and the mechanics of the game. For starters, they raised the difficulty of the countering system. Countering in past iterations has been a somewhat forgiving affair. Now it is not as easy as just holding back and pressing the counter button. You actually have to re-establish the back command while simultaneously pressing the counter button to execute the action. And that’s just for the high punches.
All lower attacks take lower-back command with the counter button. Jumping attacks are countered with an upper-back command with the counter button. With kicks, you actually have to press forward and the counter button. Combine this with the fact that they’ve halved the frames that the counter is justified and the countering fiends amongst your friends will have their work cut out for them.
Besides the countering system, the moves list has increased for all the fighters. Combos can actually be linked with each other a little bit easier because of increased instances of fighters frozen still in a daze after enduring a 4 or 5 hit combo. The result is good for faster fighters.
Some compensations have also occurred. The “powerful” characters are not quite as strong compared to previous versions of DOA, which takes away some of their edge. Some moves, such as Leon’s aerial throw, have been nearly impossible to connect compared to the past and blocking isn’t even as concrete anymore. I found that even when I would turtle, I would still succumb to combos. I would block combos at the correct heights, but I would somehow start taking damage. Unless I’m missing something, the end result is a bit sketchy.
With all of these modifications, the tweaked gameplay appears somewhat out of balance. The slower, more powerful characters have a severe disadvantage now, especially online. Quicker characters will relentlessly execute combos, making it nearly impossible to do anything with a Bass or Bayman.
Game Modes
One of the amazing new elements to this title is the increase in game modes. The usual Time Attack Modes and Survival Modes are here, as is the Story Mode.
I feel the story mode is overrated, as it has one of the worst plot progressions I’ve seen in a series, not just a game. The dialogue has no continuity whatsoever and events are stagnant at best. It’s as if Team Ninja gives you a few tidbits and you’re supposed to just make the rest up yourself.
The other game modes to join the fray are Team Battle, Sparring, and Versus Modes. The Movie Theater is also there to play the ending movies as well.
Xbox Live: DOA4’s Online Mode shines
The main addition though is the fabulous Online Mode. With the Online Mode, you’re able to participate in quick matches as well as custom matches. You are also able to watch other people play online - a la Project Gotham Racing 3.
Another really awesome innovation is the forum where players can walk around with their avatars and interact with each other. There are funny animations as well as a big screen where you can see the action while you chat with your buddies.
Another online feature is Zack’s store, where you are able to make purchases to unlock items. There are a whole range of accessories available, from costumes to custom items for your avatar. The Online Mode is absolutely excellent and other titles will surely borrow from it as the life cycle of Xbox 360 continues.
Summary
DOA4 is an achievement. The game will captivate you with its beauty, the fighting will leave you hungry for more and the variety of game modes will make certain that it doesn’t get stale. However, the issues of balance as well as altering much of its past gameplay may turn off some former players. If this is not a concern, then you will absolutely love this title.
Score: 9 out of 10
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Jan 17, 2006 @ 2:49 am
RoadblockTDX Said,
I must agree with you about the tweaks made to the gameplay mechanics. I like the fact that counters have been toned down, however it is annoying to […] more