Review: Dead or Alive 4

The genre of the fighting game is not a complicated one. The Dead or Alive (DOA) series is a simple creature, known as much for the virtual women in the games as for the combat. In DOA 4, Team Ninja has focused their attention on making the most visually pleasing fighter available on consoles today. They've definitely got a good-looking game on their hands, but in my book you've got to have more than just looks to be a good game. Read on for my thoughts.

• Title: Dead or Alive 4
• Developer: Team Ninja
• Publisher: Tecmo
• System: Xbox 360
• Reviewer: Zonk (whoisdialogue)
• Score: 7/10

Previous ventures in the Dead or Alive series have attracted attention from console gamers, beginning with the original PlayStation title. The 2000 sequel for the Dreamcast was the series' breakout moment, converting thousands of Soul Calibur fans just a year after that title was released. Efforts since then have generally been well accepted, and certainly visually attractive, but never seem to reclaim the spark of originality that marked Dead or Alive 2. The less said about 2003's Xtreme Beach Volleyball, the better.

Despite the cachet of being part of the 360's 'launch window', Dead or Alive 4 doesn't quite live up to the pedigree of its Dreamcast cousin. It does come closer than any game since DOA2, though, with liquid-fast gameplay, stunning visuals, and a great online component.

There's only so much you can do to shake up the formula in a fighting game, but Dead or Alive has always managed to entertain on the gameplay front. People hit each other in the most interesting ways, with reversals, throws, unique fighting styles, and plenty of combos. The nearly two dozen fighters each have their own way of inflicting pain, and with so many options to choose from it's likely you'll find at least one character that fits with your preferred play style. Combat is lighting-fast and extremely smooth, with both PC and NPC fighters slipping into a groove within seconds of the match beginning. DOA 4 plays like real-life fights often pan out: quickly and painfully. Many matches don't last more than 20 seconds or so, ensuring you'll get plenty of gameplay for your time invested.

In fighting games, interesting modes are all-important to ensure continued interest. Regrettably, DOA doesn't show much imagination there. The 'Story' mode pits you against eight opponents, the order of which is set in advance for each character. Most of them are simple one knock-out fights, but some of them attempt to tell a (very confusing) tale by offering up short cutscenes afterwards. The final match-up is with a green-glowing character that just doesn't fight fair. While most of the matches are moderately challenging, the difficulty level with the final boss leaps off the scale. This can be a rude awakening for a player who's happily button-mashed his way through the other opponents. Even on the normal level of difficulty the disconnect between the last character and the one before it can be unnerving, and for some reason there is no easy level. You can continue an unlimited number of times, thankfully, which will be required to defeat boss lady. You are rewarded for your efforts with a meaningless but extremely pretty cut-scene when you do finally defeat her. Fighting game story modes are always fairly thin, but the tissue paper consistency of this title's story was frustrating in light of more sophisticated titles.

The other modes are standard fair. There's a 'vs. mode' for playing human opponents or trying one-off matches with the computer. 'Team Battle' allows for competitions, and the possibility of having tag-team battles. Only one fighter can compete at a time, but tagging allows for a second shot if your first fighter is taken out. 'Survival' pits you against a never-ending lineup of opponents, and is one of the primary sources of unlockables. Because of the speed of matches and the promptness of a new opponent appearing, Survival is probably one of the most replayable modes. 'Time Attack' challenges you to defeat six opponents, each twice in a row. You're racing against the clock, and the tough final opponent from the Story mode ensures this is an extremely challenging way to play. There's also a 'Sparring' mode that teaches you moves and techniques, but fails to inform on some of the more tactical aspects of the game. While Survival mode is entertaining, with a brisk pace that will satisfy a player looking to get out some tension, I was left wanting more. Soul Calibur III is the obvious comparison here, and despite the failure of the 'Chronicles of the Sword' mode Namco at least made the attempt to expand the genre.

Online play is the final mode the game offers, and for some will be where they live and breath for the next few months. Ninja has changed things up a bit by offering more than just a cookie-cutter game lobby. Joining a game actually places you into a small waiting room, which can be decorated in different styles. A little avatar of you (by default a ninja) wanders around the area. It's really just a hang-out before you enter the game, and I'm not really sure what the purpose of the waiting rooms are. Once you're in the game, there are several tweakable settings, allowing for tag-team matches as well as straight-up fights. By default the game type is 'winner stays', giving the game a neighborhood arcade feel of sociality to it. Winning matches increases your grade and earns you 'Zack points'. The grade is a measure of how you stack up to other players (From A to F), and the points can be spent on tweaking your little avatar. As your grade increases you'll be matched with ever-harder opponents, ensuring everyone has a fair fight.

While it is immensely fun to play against other people, even the ones who talk too much, there are issues. My net connection is fairly stable, but I experienced varying levels of lag in almost every match. At its smoothest you can hardly tell the difference between an online and offline match. At its worst characters pause in the air, and it can be hard to understand the flow of the fight. Reassuringly, even in laggy matches my actions seemed to be translating into combat reasonably quickly. Half the fun of a DOA fight is the speed, unfortunately, and that lag hurts the feel of the game. I've seen differing levels of complaint with this issue. As always, your mileage may vary. I also would have liked the 'Zack points' to have more meaning within the game. You can buy new costumes for the fighters, and purchase new avatar bodies, but I would have preferred to customize the fighters themselves rather than my dinky little waiting room avatar.

Eye candy is the most apt label you could put on this game. DOA's fighting rings go beyond good looks, and are probably some of the most interactive arenas seen in a fighting game to date. There are many to choose from, happily. Some examples include a downtown, night-time city streets brawl, a plateau on the serengeti, and a plot of dinosaur-infested jungle. What makes the venues special is the level of depth they exhibit. The street fight, for example, features neon glare off of the sidewalks, cheering onlookers, and the occasional speeding car. Other arenas feature multiple levels, such as the gorgeous river-crossing rope bridge arena. You can fight on the bridge, or toss your opponent over the edge and into the water. Parts of the arenas can be destroyed, as well. Getting your opponent to a lower floor in the plush ballroom arena can either be done via a set of painful looking stairs, or an even more painful looking toss through a plate-glass window. The arenas are well done, attractive, and definitely one of the highlights of the game.

The rest of the game looks good, but the moment-to-moment gaming only looks about as good as a high-end Xbox title. This may be because of the squeaky-clean anime style of the characters, but it just didn't look all *that* much better than DOA Ultimate for the original Microsoft console. Despite that, the sheer power of the 360 ensures extremely high framerates, and supports the speed of the title's combat. Additionally, there are occasional moments when it's obvious this is a next-gen console. My fighter of choice is Jann Lee, and there's a nice 'bulging veins' effect when he poses for the camera after a win. Similarly, the clothing and hair simulation is quite impressive on some of the female characters. Where the console really shows off is in the cut-scene rewards for defeating story mode. It's easy to talk about the beauty of cut-scenes, given their pre-rendered nature, but they're still some of the most impressive imagery I've yet seen on the 360. It's disappointing that the 'next-gen flavour' couldn't be maintained throughout the game.

Dead or Alive 4, then, continues the series tradition of offering typical fighting action with good looking and varied characters. Despite the game's late arrival, fighting game fans have no doubt already purchased and poured their heart into what this title has to offer. For more casual players, DOA 4 offers entirely typical gameplay. Button-mashing won't get you as far as it will in the Soul Calibur series, and the level of replayability for the average gamer may be somewhat low. If you're looking for a simple, good-looking fighter Dead or Alive 4 will serve your needs well. Those looking for brains with their beauty may want to look elsewhere.

Comments

Fighting Simulator

[biocute]

The reviewer said "There's only so much you can do to shake up the formula in a fighting game". I wonder if there a fighting game out there which is similar to Gran Turismo, i.e. a Fighting Simulator?

Frankly I'm a bit tired of pure fighting, but if I can play a character, who comes into the scene with nothing but a pair of dirty underwear and eats out of rubbish bins.

First I'll have to compete with street animals like cats, dogs and the occasional bears, then maybe some thugs and police. As I fight, I grow stronger, faster, meaner, and acquire more fighting skills and styles.

When I reached a certain level, I will be spotted by this Donkey King, who pays me a little, and train me up to fight with some amateurs, and later pros.

The money I earned can be spent on further training, personal fighting training that I don't get from DK, or I can use it on drugs to temporarily improve my performance but will hurt me more in the long run -- the choice is mine.

Then maybe somewhere in the middle, I will be offered some mini-mission-style jobs, like modelling, acting, drinking hot coffee or playing beach volleyball, all with a tradeoff such as missed opportunity for some championship fights and becoming weaker.

My life and health is not unlimited though, they will decline as the game progresses, and it is up to me to announce my retirement, find a girl to marry, have a couple of children who, when I finally died, can become my playing character again and continue a new journey.

This should give enough variations so that if you regret something you did in the life, you can play as your children to choose another direction (such as not accepting DK's offer and continue as an Indy Fighter competing against DK).

Re:Fighting Simulator

[American AC in Paris]

First I'll have to compete with street animals like cats, dogs and the occasional bears

Dude, where exactly do you live? Springfield?

Re:Fighting Simulator

[krunk4ever]

What you're asking for is a RPG where the battles are fighting game style. They actually have that already:

Namco X Capcom

Here's some english reviews:
http://www.gamestats.com/objects/726/726493/
http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/namco-x-capco m/
http://ps2.ign.com/objects/726/726493.html

Re:Fighting Simulator

[PCM2]

Dude, where exactly do you live? Springfield?

No, but his town is located in the same state as Springfield.

A Brief And Entirely Inappropriate Summary

[American AC in Paris]

The Dead or Alive (DOA) series is a simple creature, known as much for the virtual women in the games as for the combat.

Boobies!

In DOA 4, Team Ninja has focused their attention on making the most visually pleasing fighter available on consoles today.

Whooooo, boobies!

Eye candy is the most apt label you could put on this game.

Boingiddy-boingiddy-boingiddy-wheeeee!

Dead or Alive 4, then, continues the series tradition of offering typical fighting action with good looking and varied characters.

Boobies boobies!

Re:A Brief And Entirely Inappropriate Summary

[gfxguy]

Yes indeed, this was a horrible review because the screenshots did not show what we were all looking for.

Re:A Brief And Entirely Inappropriate Summary

[JesusPancakes]

Similarly, the clothing and hair simulation is quite impressive on some of the female characters.

Yes, the CLOTHING and HAIR is what's impressive about the female characters.

The problem with writing a review and trying not to talk about boobs is that you come across like Queer Eye for the Video Game. It's okay, we all like the boob physics.

Nice verbage

[Guppy06]

"In DOA 4, Team Ninja has focused their attention on making the most visually pleasing fighter available on consoles today."

Translation: revamped* jiggle physics!

*(pun partially intended)

Bah!

[Golias]

The less said about 2003's Xtreme Beach Volleyball, the better.

You, sir, are clearly not on my side.

DOAX was a triumph of the human spirit.

Re:Bah!

[Skuld-Chan]

Its actually not a bad volleyball game either.

Re:Bah!

[mystic_mushroom]

You can play Volley Ball? I thought you just got do dress the girls up and walk em' around a pool. Good enough for me.

But How Bouncy are the Boobs...

[nweaver]

This IS DOA: How good are the BoobBouncePhysics this time around?

Re:But How Bouncy are the Boobs...

[thaerin]

The physics are so insane that even Albert Einstein was quoted as saying "Daaaaaaaaaammmn!"

loss of save games?

[GoNINzo]

You'd think he'd at least reference the recent Dead or Alive 4 save game bug in the review. I love the fact we're getting more games reviewed in here though. `8r)

Re:loss of save games?

[Karma Farmer]

I can see it now. Some blogger stubs his toe on an Xbox 360 power supply. 2 minutes later Zonk posts a "Are Xbox 360 power supplies injuring our children?"

Three days later, Zonk will post a story about the "Xbox power supply foam padding mod."

And six hours later, Cmdr Taco will dupe it.

The less said, the better?

[exley]

Who out there has played Xtreme Barbie Doll Dressup? It is what it is -- mindless entertainment. But it is entertaining, and there's really no pretense about what it's there for. One thing you may or may not have noticed about the non-volleyball volleyball extravaganza: it's possible to control your character using only one hand.

Get over yourself, Zonk.

Re:The less said, the better?

[cbreaker]

I had fun playing Extreme Beach Volleyball. I thought it was funny - it's all about the T&A - digital as it might be. The game itself (playing volleyball) was fun, especially with four players.

It wasn't an especially difficult game, but I don't need to be mentally challenged everywhere I go. Sometimes you just like to sit back and play a fun, easy game for awhile.

And no, I didn't know you could play with one hand you sick bastard. =P

Re:And no mention of Live?

[NthDegree256]

All this review and no mention of playing on Live.
 
Unless you count the two paragraphs all about online play.

Re:Yep

[Psykechan]

Yep.

That didn't manage to make the front page though.

sounds like what you want

[BitterAndDrunk]

Is the Shenmue series.

It's reasonably close to that description, anyway.

Re:sounds like what you want

[RickPartin]

Shenmue is one of those games that looks awesome but due to insanly bad controls it's unplayable. I even owned it for Xbox and started to get into it. But had to stop before I went crazy. Such a shame.

Re:And no mention of Live?

[NetJunkie]

What I get for skimming.. I didn't see the word Live so I missed it.

Most interactive levels? hardly

[BitterAndDrunk]

You'd be looking for the next PowerStone for that.

Re:sorry if i dont care

[kfg]

But personally i dont play fighting games for amazing rendered titties.

There's another reason?

I play it for the gameplay, the fighting.

Boring!

KFG

What XBOX does Zonk have?

[the computer guy nex]

"The rest of the game looks good, but the moment-to-moment gaming only looks about as good as a high-end Xbox title"

I hope you were playing this game on a WideScreen HDTV. I have the old DOA3 and have played both on my Sony SXRD and the differences are jaw-dropping. The cut scene and level detail are simply breathtaking.

Stop reviewing 360 games without the proper hardware. Its like reviewing Half Life 2 with a 13" monitor and playing with a gamepad.

Re:What XBOX does Zonk have?

[Zonk]

I'm playing on a Samsung 27" HDTV. (The official HDTV of the Xbox 360! or something.)

People don't give the current generation enough credit. All three consoles released games last year that looked as good as DOA4 does during actual play. RE4 on the Gamecube, Shadow of the Colossus (on an HDTV) for the PS2, and about half a dozen games for the Xbox all looked comparable in graphical quality and art direction to DOA4 on the 360.

Now, the catch there is that there isn't a current-gen system out there that could equal the smooth feel of the combat or run those cinematics. DOA4 looks great, it just didn't have my jaw dropping like some moments in Call of Duty and Kameo did.

Re:What XBOX does Zonk have?

[RyoShin]

Reviewing games (or even movies) with the latest and greatest that technology has to offer does allow the reviewer to get the most out of a game, but it eschews the general readership. Comparing to the overall average, Slashdot users and XBox 360 owners probably have a higher percentage of individuals with HDTVs, but it is doubtfully the majority of users/owners.

So, using the "proper hardware", a reviewer can say how stunning graphics were, only for Joe Gamer to to play the game on their old tube screen and disagree. Granted, the reviewer can (and should) list what equipment they use to review games (for comparison purposes,) but there isn't any requirement that they have all of their equipment up to the specs of what the console can do.

Those with the "proper hardware" can take heart in knowing that, when they play the game, the graphics will be better because their equipment is superior.

Re:What XBOX does Zonk have?

[IntergalacticWalrus]

Gotta love how anti-PC gaming zealots rant about computers being more expensive than consoles, but then whine when people don't play consoles on overly expensive HDTV screens that cost much more than a computer.

(not that I'm calling you a zealot, just pointing out the obvious to all the zealots reading)

I just don't get it.

[ettlz]

Really, what's the big attraction about watching two chicks beat the crap out of each other?

Ah. Yes, I remember now. Say, does this game feature a secret mudbath mode?

Re:*YAWN*

[ettlz]

Aside from 3-dimensional bouncing boobies, what does this game offer that the original Street Fighter doesn't?

3-dimensional bouncing boobies.

DOA gets no respect

[Anonymous Rockstar]

I don't like hearing people who are used to their 30 hit combo's in killer instinct/mortal kombat 3 and up.... or the people who are button mashers who hate dead or alive cause they think it has nothing to offer than any other fighting games. DOA when you actually learn to play it offers a lot of strategy when playing against another (equally good) human player. You have to guess what their next move is and counter it (if you wish) or you can be on the offense. It is tailored for adaptation. Which can make a games replay value skyrocket. All other games are just trying to wait till someone doesn't hold the block button and kick them in the face.

Re:DOA gets no respect

[Reapy]

I disagree with you on the point that most other games are more simple. It is quite the opposite, which is why I love doa.

Typically I enjoy most fighting games, but often do not have someone to play the game with. Recently I've met a friend who is very into fighing games, so we've had a few nights going back and forth with them.

The problem here is that the skill level difference is so much that you just can not learn to play against them in vs mode. It started with SC and me getting my ass handed to me until I spent a good day or two with the move list practicing. From that point with one character I could somewhat hold my own.

What I liked about doaU was that I was able to learn to play better while playing the person. DOA on the lower level (I don't play tourny level players so I can't speak for that) is about beating the other person.

I can just guess what most moves coming out will be, but the more I play, I just have to learn what level the attacks my opponent's are going to be so that I can reverse them. I spend more time just watching and countering/guarding, then throwing/poking with moves I don't know , and I do pretty well. Sure, I could learn juggles and all that to improve my game, but I don't need that, and that is why I love doa.

Visual treat, no dobut. But simple to pick up, with enough depth in there that I don't have to spend a few days in practice mode learning 4000 movies for just one character.

So doa is the casual man's fighting game, and it does a damn fine job of it.

weird slash bug

[drew]

Something must be busted in Slashcode. Somehow this game was given a score of 7, rather than the usual 8.

Soul Calibur

[geniusj]

Soul Calibur 1 and 2 are as close to fighting game perfection as I've ever seen. I haven't played Soul Calibur 3 yet, but something tells me that they probably didn't mess with the formula all that much. Never have I seen games that new players can enjoy as much as they can with Soul Calibur, while at the same time providing a ton of things for seasoned players to master (Parrying, for example).

Tekken, VF series

[BitterAndDrunk]

Both the Tekken and Virtua Fighter series has aspects of this.

I agree w/the daughter poster who talks about the ease of use factor in DOA . . . it really is a basic game and simple to pick up.

Tekken and VF are both more "rewarding" to the hard core who want to take the time to learn nuance. DOA series is a great party-type series because the learning curve is shallow enough so that every match is relatively reasonable.

Unless I'm Leon. Then you'll just cry and cry.

Re:HD vs non-HD

[zoney_ie]

1360x768?

Does Xbox 360 not use 720p? i.e. 1280 x 720?

Interestingly, it looks like 1080i is more popular in Europe so far, which will certainly complicate matters.

At the moment one would need to be *very* *VERY* careful buying a HDTV here in Europe - as it can be unclear just how high-definition supposedly HD tvs are (as for "HD-ready"... hmmm). Games consoles are likely going with 720p, mainland Europe broadcasters and the BBC have gone for 1080i, and Sky Digital (the main UK/Irl satellite broadcaster) are hedging their bets so far. Buying a true 1080p set seems like a nice idea.

Mind you, perhaps it's wise too to hold off on the Xbox 360 till we see a broader range of games for it! Also the PS3 *might* be better (and will be a cheap Blu-ray movie player, relative to standalone players. If you're getting an HDTV, playing blu-ray (or of course HDDVD) movies will be nice), and who knows what Nintendo will pull out of the hat!