RockguyKev's Full Review: Dead or Alive 4 for Xbox 360
Gameplay 5/5: Dead or Alive 4 (DOA4) is the newest addition to the infamous DOA series. DOA has always been known for its beautiful women, amazing graphics, and ease of entry. DOA4 tunes these up to make for the best game of the series.
DOA4 is not your basic fighting game. Most fighters have complicated combos that are difficult for the casual gamer to master. DOA4 has mostly easy to learn combos, and the ones that are harder, are not necessary for wins. The deepest part of the game is the countering system. There are many ways to counter and timing is key. Counters are usually the difference between winning and losing.
Although DOA4 has easy to learn combos, the game can be very difficult. With the absence of an easy difficulty, you will be bombarded with loss after loss until you really get a sense of the timing. Even after you have seemingly mastered the gameplay, the computer can sometimes start countering everything you do making it impossible to win. This can get frustrating, but the fun you will have is well worth the minor setbacks.
Along with the computer going "crazy" on you, the last boss can be extremely difficult. I won't give out who it is, but I will tell you that the boss can be frustrating and take many tries. This is to be expected, as it is a boss, but after countless losses you will be left with steam coming out your ears. The good news is that only players without a solid storyline will ever have to fight it.
DOA4 introduces a few new characters to the series. Most noticeable, is the added Spartan 458 commonly referred to as Nicole. She is basically a female Master Chief, but do not expect any bouncy physics, like developer and producer Itigaki is known for. In fact, without the voice you would think it was a male. After unlocking this character, you will also unlock the Halo level (first level from Halo 2) to fight on. During this level, the signature Halo 2 music will be playing through the background. This character and level are for all you Halo fans out there, so if you must own everything Halo then get this game.
DOA has revamped its online gameplay in this version. After joining a game through a simple optimatch, which tells you everything you need to know about the match, you will be dropped into a lobby. Here, your custom avatar will be used to walk around, watch the fight, and choose to join in. New avatars, and accessories can be purchased with points gained from wins online. The actual online play has been improved with less lag, and an easier interface. *Note* although there is less lag than previous DOA titles, do not be surprised if you encounter some. DOA4's online includes single or tag team gameplay, and has built in scoreboards to keep track of stats. Stats will also determine your letter grade, which lets you know exactly who you should be playing. All of these upgrades add a lot to DOA4 and will have you playing this game for months to come.
Although more difficult than the last, DOA4 is a simple and fun title. The ease of online, and the basic gameplay mechanics allow for any skill level to play and enjoy themselves. I cannot stress enough how fun the gameplay of this title is. All I can say is… Amazing.
Sound 5/5: DOA sounds great! The voiceovers, although in Japanese, are done perfectly. The impact of hits sounds very realistic. The music is well done, especially on the new Halo arena. Interactive environments add for some cool effects, from a gong to shattering glass. Although they did not have very many sounds to perfect, the ones they did have are very well done.
Graphics 5/5: DOA4 has always been known for its beautiful women. The same holds true in DOA4. All the character models, including men, are done to near perfection and will make the floor a permanent residence for your jaw. The environments look absolutely gorgeous. Everything is perfect except for the hair of the characters, which either does not move, or moves to unrealistic physics, sometimes going through their shoulders. Beside that minor setback, the Graphics for DOA4 are flawless.
Replay Value 5/5: This game is built Ford tough (or whatever car you like). It will last for ages. The harder single player will lead to hours of offline play. The regular multiplayer means lots of fun with you and your buds. Last, the online multiplayer is amazingly well done and the most fun I have experienced in a while. Add an upgradeable avatar, and this game should go for as long as the energizer bunny.
Overall 5/5: DOA4 is a major upgrade to a genre that really needed revamping. DOA4 really focuses on giving the arcade experience from home by playing online with friends or strangers. Simple combos, make it easy for anyone to get into, but don't expect a lot of wins from pure button mashing. The single player is also great fun and is the only way to unlock the 5 hidden characters. As well as online multiplayer, there is some offline letting you go against your friends without the cost of X-box Live. This is easily one of the top two games for the console right now (Call of Duty 2 is the other) and would be a great purchase to anyone that enjoys fighting games in the least. If you do not enjoy fighting games, or have never played one, then I still say to at least give this game a try, and who knows, you may find an untapped love for the fighting genre (or at least this game).
New characters added to the DOA all-star line-up New interactive stages New and in-depth story line and cut-scenes Through Xbox Live, players can simu...More at Amazon Marketplace
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2010 Shopping.com, Inc.