Due out at the launch of the Xbox 360 and later delayed, Tomonbu Itagaki’s Dead or Alive 4 was already creating buzz among fans and skeptics alike. Even before the launch of the Xbox 360, the game had generated discussion since it was announced that Bungie was going to play a key role in the game’s main story by introducing a new character.

Now taking any two hit series and mixing them into one is a risk. Throw in the fact that Team Ninja already had a popular franchise going with DOA and Ninja Gaiden, it was easy to see why fans of the series were excited but also a bit concerned. Would the new one tie in with Bungie work? Would the ever growing popularity of Ryu Haybabusa of Ninja Gaiden take away from the rest of the characters? How do you mix in the world of Halo in the Martial Arts fighting realm? It seemed DOA 4 had a lot of questions as well as expectations but could it live up to it?

In a short response, yes, it could and finally after a few delays the game is out. Is it really the best of the series or just another sequel banking on the popularity of another hit game series? Read the full Dead or Alive 4 review and find out why this is the must have game for fighting fans on the Xbox 360.

Gameplay

At first glance the game looks a lot like DOA 3 with a few new characters and some new areas to fight in. However, any fan of the series will soon notice that the look may not be all that different, but the game is very different in the way the whole story blends together. The fact DOA has always had several storylines going on during the battles kept the fans interested and at times a little confused. Part of this was planned by Mr. Itagaki since each character is somehow connected either by being an ally, relative or an enemy and which has always been the formula for the series.

Without ruining the ending, each story will finally makes sense to fans in the epic finally of course it will also open a whole new set of questions and that is the brilliant part of overall game. In case you are not a fan or just confused, let me catch you up to the story as it starts to unfold from the start of this one. DOATEC was thought to be destroyed but it seems it was just moved to another location and about to unleash the ultimate creation using a DNA sample from the exiled Ninja Kasumi. The new project known as Alpha-152 is the most advance life form ever created as part human clone and part high-tech technology with help from the military. It happens to look like Kasumi, at least in body shape and even in the fighting style but has far more power. Now it’s up to Helena to stop her father’s evil plans he left behind and enemies must unite and actually work together. The goal is simple: stop DOATEC once and for all at any cost. Sounds easy right?

Well, returning to the cast of characters is the viscous assassin Christie who has an all too well past with Helena . When someone kills you’re mother, you remember that person and want revenge. Also making a return from DOA 3 is Brad Wong, the Drunken Master, and to pump up the overall story a few new characters are introduced including Eliot Brad’s protégée, Kokoro, the Ba Ji Dancer and the Masked Buxom wrestler, La Mariposa. Of course the rest of the gang returns as well and features Kasumi, Hotomi, Ryu, Zack, Tina, Bass, Jann Lee, Leifang, Bayman, Ayane, Hayate and of course Helena. Along with a full cast, there are some that will even be hidden and will need to be unlocked as the game unfolds.

It’s still the story mode that will have fans catching up on the new plots and twists while doing one-on-one combat in the same format that has always worked for the series. The new mini-endings will catch players and fans up and soon take them on a journey that shows the showdown between arch enemies and even an all out battle with the Marines. Of course this is the Halo angle that is tied in and well done by using a mix of CGI, live actors and martial artists. It offers the best movies ever seen in the games history. Soon almost every little fact from the series comes together and the end result is simply, a masterpiece.

Now if you think everything is going to make sense and all answers will be revealed guess again. MR. Itagaki and Team Ninja would not make it that easy. They manage to keep the fast pace fighting intact while introducing the new characters and the fight between the Ninja’s and Marines. As far fetched as this may sound, when you see it unfold, it really makes sense and even had me, a long time fan of the franchise, saying “Oh Wow”! The girls are as beautiful and yes they seem to have trouble with their costumes due to all the bouncing going on. Let’s just say they are as healthy as ever and thanks to the Xbox 360’s power even a bit more bouncer than before. It is not a game for kids though. It deals with drugs, death and a military plot all neatly rolled up in one epic game.

Enemies become friends old allies return in the nick of time and even Zack is less annoying and has the chance to finally be the hero he has dreamed of sort of. They even managed to bring in a few surprises that made playing DOA Volleyball less of a waste of time and really made the game better for it. Yes, there is a Halo level and the chance to unlock the much talked about Spartan-458, who really is not as so hidden as first thought. The way they bring her to life is pretty interesting. While long time players will see it coming half way through the game, some players not familiar with the DOA world may be a little confused by the mini-movies and stories at first.

Thankfully Team Ninja and Bungie made it all fit together. At the end of the story mode is one of the best cinematic movies I have ever seen in any game. It is mind blowing and will have fans of DOA and Halo happy for playing through the story mode with each character. They also brought back the Survival, Team battle and Sparring modes as well as the online mode. Dead or Alive 4 is packed with modes and plenty besides the main story mode. In addition to the new characters added, Team Ninja tweaked the fighting system and added a new countering system that makes the fights even faster and harder. Having so many different fighters all with their own style will keep fighting fans busy learning the moves. This time they seem to have balanced the fighters a bit more evenly and once you learn the moves, one fighter no longer will dominate the game.

Control / Playability

The new Xbox 360 controller makes the game so easy to learn and enjoy. They set-up the controls in the perfect way for the fighting and, while pretty much the same as DOA 3, there is now a few new ways to pulls moves off easier with the controller. A fight stick is still the best way to enjoy the game, but the controller works fantastic and is not as frustrating. The basic controls can be picked up in about 25-30 minutes for those who are familiar with the DOA world. For first timers it will take about 45 minutes to learn the main controls and attacks and counters. The sparring mode is the best way to learn the more advance moves and killer combos.

Each button responds perfectly with no delay at all and the only thing players will want to do is practice a bit before going online. The game book has the basic kicks, punches and throws, however, just like the other games in the series, there are special moves and insane combos that will take time to learn. Using the 360 controller makes learning the moves a lot easier having compared the old S-Controller using DOA 3 and Ultimate it is really a huge advantage using the new 360 controller and shows Microsoft made the best possible controller for the system. There are really no complaints at all and they did a great job in this department.

Xbox Live

Now you went through the story mode and unlocked the achievements and characters. You also saw the ten minute finale and want to take on real players instead of the A.I. The Online feature has a few new surprises. You will need to visit Zacks shop and spend Zack points on a house or lobby. Here is where the Japanese influence comes into the game in a big way. You can choose several different lobbies which all cost a certain amount. They range from an underwater world to a traditional Japanese House. You will need to buy an animated avatar and you can buy and use more than one as you get more points after winning. They range from pandas and ninjas to crabs and other odd creatures. At first this will seem a little odd but each themed lobby holds its own secrets.

When first starting a game, you know can talk to each player and use your avatars special moves to greet or annoy challengers even before starting the fighting. Your lobby is complete with your gamer tag motto glowing in neon which will add a little more personalized touch to the online mode. You then enter the fight or can stay in the lobby and watch the action on a real TV screen in real time. Finding a lobby to match your skill level is simple and faster than DOA Ultimate. Each lobby can hold 16 players at one time and there is some lag at times. It seems to be an issue when someone joins that has a weak connection and will clear up when they leave. There is certainly going to be a patch to fix the extra lag just like there was for DOAU. For the most part, the game is great to play online and a room of 6-8 people is the best for lag or less lag play right now.

Graphics / Presentation

Each level you enter to fight in is full of animations and new effects. They come to life in a way never before seen and look amazing. The fighting areas range from one tier to multiple tiers that you can throw your opponent down or through and each one has something secret waiting you if you can find it. There are a ton of windows, doors and other things to smash your enemy through and the visual effects are great. The lighting and camera angles will make even those who hate fighting games stop and look at what is going on.

Every character has a different fighting style and countering systems which will make it hard to remember they are not real at times. Details like the eyes and veins are incredible and while it is only starting to use the full power of the Xbox 360, it is the best looking fighting game out there. I already commented a few times about the bouncing effect and yes some of the outfits are very revealing but this is also a long time standard for the series. I will say it looks more realistic on the 360 and they really tried to create each character to look different.

The final movie or ending in the story mode really taps the power at times of the 360 and when you see it for the first time, you will be blown away. I can’t and won’t say its perfect graphically, but it certainly is impressive and shows what can be done with the 360. Overall, the graphics are impressive. There are a few issues with clipping and a few slow down areas but nothing that will stand out unless you’re looking for them.

Audio

Returning once again is the Rock group Aerosmith. They provide the opening theme and the ending song, Amazing. The music also features the theme from Halo which is an odd mix but blended well. The rest of the music is up tempo techno style beats that fit any fighting game. The voices are all in Japanese with subtitles another long tradition for DOA.

The only exception is the Spartan-458 seems she speaks English and at times a few sentences in Japanese. Each punch, kick or groan sounds realistic and the voice-over actors stay in character the entire game. The audio overall is just as impressive as the graphics and the mini-movies and the ending movie all are well acted and the sound effects of the Marines weapons mixed with the Ninja’s weapons would rival any Hollywood movie ever made.

Replay Value

DOA 4 has a great story mode that will keep players busy for a long time. Then you have the achievements to earn and the other modes. The replay value is extremely high and with the online play is certainly worth the price of the game. Of course those who want to unlock or earn every costume or get every secret will get the most replay value from this one. It is made to be played and has enough to make gamers want to go back and replay the story again of a certain character just to see what you may have missed as far as the story or a costume.

Overall Score

Overall Score: 9.2/10 [not an average]

Additional Comments

While I was disappointed when DOA 4 was not a launch title as planned, it was well worth the wait. I have played every game in the series and this one is by far the biggest and most interesting one ever made. The way they mixed in the Halo angle really made sense with the ongoing story and not just thrown in for the sake of a cheap promotion.

By far this one is the best fighting game ever made for any Microsoft system and of course a great introduction for the Xbox 360. The game does set-up the next one perfectly and here is hoping it won’t be too long till we see another. A great story, great controls and a good online mode make this a must for any fan of fighting games!

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