In my opinion, the greatest Dead Or Alive title you can buy.
Basically, DOAU is two games. The first game is the first Dead or Alive title that came out ages ago (where does the time go?) on the first Playstation. Back then, animated breasts....sorry, fluid fighting system was something new and exciting. Surprisingly, the game still plays relatively well and brings nostalgia to old fans and is a good introductory to newcomers. The only bad thing about the DOA1 is the dated graphics. Granted, they do look smoother but they still contain the old polygon shaped bodies that graced the Sony Playstation. It's not distracting at all, but when you compare it to say, Dead Or Alive 3, it's aged quite terribly. However in spite of that, the game still plays brilliantly and incorporates Xbox Live as well. But when you start to play the second disc you can quickly see which of the two has had the most attention.
The second game is a revamped version of Dead Or Alive 2, which appeared on Playstation 2 and Dreamcast back in 2000. While the game plays remarkably similar to it's predecessor, it's the stunning graphics and wealth of extras that will make you keep coming back for more. The amount of things to do for the single player is simply overwhelming. You can unlock three characters, a stunning amount of costumes for each character, movies, and game modes and of course, Xbox Live. And if that doesn't make the game appeal to you, then I don't know what will. Playing the game online is so simple to do and the amount of game modes you can play on is more than generous. The community on Live is simply one of the best I have ever seen. Both games are still exciting and above all, fun to play. The controls are accessible to anyone (though the original DOA can only be played with the D-Pad), yet has the depth to satisfy old fans and people obsessed with getting 100%. The extras, the array of costumes, movies etc is all here and it's great fun trying to get every costume for your favourite character!
The graphics for the first Dead or Alive is smoother than the original but isn't anything ground breaking. The environments you fight in are relatively the same (although some of the backgrounds differ the quality of them are questionable). The character models are good. But I find that the first DOA is put into the Ultimate package to show fans of the progression of the series. It's amazing how far the Dead or Alive series has gone. It's also interesting to see how the characters have changed through the years, for an example, Tina Armstrong had brunette hair in the first DOA. But of course, DOA2 is where the real attraction is. The game looks stunning and is obviously better than DOA3. The character models, the environments are simply wonderful to watch and supplement the gameplay wonderfully.
The audio has never been the high point of any Dead Or Alive game, but I will make an acceptation for this one. The music is cheesy fun. The audio is better than that of DOA3, but alas the only low point to the package is the recycled sound effects that have appeared almost every DOA game to date. Still, this game's audio is extremely good!
Dead Or Alive Ultimate is the best DOA game going around. It's an extremely well polished; quality made game that is entertaining and never lets up the quality. If beat-em ups aren't your thing, then you won't find this game appealing and is certainly not going to convert you. If however you are a beat em up fan you'll love this game. Not for the graphics, but for the wealth of options and extras available; plus it has Xbox Live. But if you're a Dead Or Alive fan, this is indeed the Ultimate package to buy. Buy it!