It's always hard to go back and review an older title that has since been refined, but such is the case with Dead or Alive 2 for the Dreamcast. Luckily this is such a solid title that you'll have no problem appreciating it even with multiple sequels on vastly more powerful systems.

But is there enough here to make it worth your while to dust off the 'ol DC and give the game a whirl?

Dead or Alive 2 is easily one of the best 3D fighters for the Dreamcast. It stands shoulder to shoulder with the forever Dreamcast measuring-stick Soul Calibur.

The graphics and audio are superb, and have not aged poorly at all in the last 8 years. The guys are built and buff and the ladies are gorgeous and sexy. Even the arenas themselves are a sight to behold. Making them interactive makes the fights not just battles to the death but an exploration of what ledges you can throw people down and what windows they can be knocked out of.

Those familiar with the Dead or Alive games know what they're getting into here, but the "bouncy-bouncy" breasts are gladly kept to a minimum (of course you can alter that by changing your age in the options menu, but nonetheless the default settings aren't insulting). DOA games have always oozed sex but seeing where they've taken the series since this title makes you realize how "not that bad" it all is. What is in full effect it DOA's sublime counter system. Easily what sets it apart from other fighters, the counter system keeps it from being such a back and forth match.

In your usual fighting game, Player 1 launches attack combo and Player 2 blocks or doesn't. Then Player 2 attacks and Player 1 responds. Of course not all fighting games are this simple but you get my drift. The DOA counter system allows you (with perfect timing) to end your opponent’s attack and turn it back around on them. The timing system is damn near perfect here, and though it's been toyed with since, this might be the best it's ever been. It makes for exciting matches and honestly some awesome fucking moves.

12 playable characters, each with well over 100 moves. Now if this is all the game had it would be perfect for an arcade game, but we're on a home console here... and therin lies a major flaw. There's really no replay value here. All the costumes, arenas, characters and game modes are unlocked and available right from the start. After beating the various modes (Time Attack, Survival, Story) there's no reason to play them again, no reward to be obtained. The only reaply you'll get here is 2 Player against your friends.

Other than the unlockables/replay misstep, the game is very well done. Just know going in it's practically a straight port of the arcade version. Fans of the series who still own a Dreamcast owe it to themselves to check this game out. It'll entertain the hell out of you, just not for long enough.

Comments (1)

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment