Dead or Alive?
Dead or Alive Ultimate isn’t a sequel – it’s more of a historical document for DOA fans than anything else as it includes the original DOA and an updated version of DOA 2, complete with Xtreme Beach Volleyball graphics engine and some really cool-looking fighting arenas. For whatever reason, Tecmo deemed it necessary to split the two games up and shipped the pack on two discs and in separate packages. But packaging does not make a good game. With DOA 2, the fighting is very similar to DOA 3 which has never ranked high on the List of Official Fighting Games (as chosen by the Fighting Fans of America). It generally falls short of favorites like Tekken, Virtua Fighter, Soul Calibur or Guilty Gear but the style, variety and complexity it still there, but because it’s generally easy to get into “true” fighting fans just don’t glom on to DOA. Button-mashing gamers can still overcome even the most challenging AI opponents. The AI doesn’t put up much of a fight – especially if you lose six or seven times. The difficulty automatically gets dropped then ramping up again as you defeat more foes. It’s a good system for novices but hardcore players will likely be infuriated, because they might not feel like they didn’t actually win – the AI let them win. With human players it’s obviously more difficult to win or least more unpredictable. (Get six or seven beers in them and it’s a different story.)Play over Xbox Live goes off without a hitch and this is where you’ll find the real challenge. Tecmo did an excellent job incorporating a host of multiplayer options including some that replicate the feel of an arcade setting. Both games can be played online.
The playable roster of characters lacks any real surprises (though there are unlockables). It’s pretty much the same line-up as DOA 3, which I always felt was a little small compared to Soul Calibur II or Tekken. There are different costumes and the game engine does a great job showing them off.
I spent a lot more time with the “new” stuff – DOA 2 – rather than the “old” stuff. The first DOA just doesn’t look as good and it features some extremely aggravating ring-outs – a “feature” I’ve never liked, stretching back to the original Virtua Fighter. It’s a historical disc, which is good for a “Boy, games sure do look better today!” comparison.DOA Ultimate is just that, an ultimate DOA game that caters to the fans. It’s not the pinnacle of fighting games but it looks great, plays awesome over Live with plenty of options, and is accessible to novices.