Dead or Alive Ultimate (Xbox)

Firstly this is NOT DOA4! This is DOA2 Ultimate. The graphics are not different from DOA3 and characters remain pretty much the same. Some of the characters have also been hidden, requiring you to complete certain levels before they're uncovered. From what I can see, a couple of characters have been completely removed.

There are plenty of new backgrounds, and some of them very eye catching. Single mode playability is better/more difficult than DOA3, but still fairly easy to complete. Completing various levels and collecting tokens helps uncover characters and new costumes. The costumes aren't very different, often just different colours.

Controls/moves have not really changed, nothing new I could see on Hayabusa, but disappointingly I did loose a small move here and there, but its not a big deal, you soon get used to it.

HOWEVER... this game is LIVE! enabled making it a worthy game. It was great to play this over the net, and it was reasonably smooth. The only problem was that there weren't many people on Live! with DOA2 when I played. I'm really surprised that this game has been out in the USA for months, but it has taken ages to come out here.

Overall... Don't expect huge changes over DOA3 (I originally had high expectations). The main thing to appreciate is the Live! element. If you're not into playing Live! games, then I don't think this game is worth purchasing.


Beat-em Ups   June 15, 2004
4 out of 75 found this review helpful

OK. So I haven't played this game yet. However, I feel I know enough to give an honest and relyable preview.

Dead or Alive 3 is arguably the best looking beat em up on the market due to the machine its released on, and Dead or Alive Ultimate can only beat it in visual quality.
Unfortunately it has less charectors then DoA3 but each charector has many more costumes to unlock meaning replay value for those that want it.
It can obviously be played online.
Unlike other 3D fighting games, Dead or Alive comes into its own by making excellent use of the stages. We're talking multi-levelled castles, elephants that bellow when players are slammed agains their legs, tiles that crack beneath your face.
Something no other Beat em Up does.
That this game does not rely soley on graphics alone. The developers trained under Yu Suzuki, creator of Virtua Fighter. Virtua Fighter has recieved many awards in its time for its inovative and sleek gameplay.
In my opinion, Dead or Alives charectors are more interesting then Tekkens or VF's.
Of course, if you don't like beat em ups then this will propably not change your mind.
I have given it four out of five because it has less charectors then its predecessor (it is a remake of DoA2 but still...) and because everything said it could be a let down.. though I doubt it!