Just like other titles in the series, Dead or Alive 5 managed to retain its easy-to-understand rock-paper-scissors fighting mechanics where normal attacks beat throws, holds beat normal attacks, and throw beat the holds. If all are done successfully without any interruption, you can trigger the Danger Zones where you can either use them to your advantage or by simply distracting them as oil rigs exploding or glaciers collapsing in front you.
One of the improvements I’ve noticed in Dead or Alive 5 is that Team Ninja expanded its 3D stages, making it more interactive and added more than just a backdrop in each stages. For every locations that you get to play, you will see all sort of things going on, making the battlefield more intense and deadly. Depending on where you fight, you can use the environments around you to your advantage as you can push them off the cliffs, use the grounded wire, or simply knock them on a wall. These small things makes fighting games more interesting and Dead or Alive 5 managed to hit the right note on this one.
NOT
Story Mode is Still Boring
When previous Dead or Alive games came out, one of the things I disliked and cared less about is the story mode. Just like Dead or Alive 4 and other titles, Dead or Alive 5 offers a shallow story that is both dull and boring. Continuing the events from the fourth game, another Dead or Alive tournament will take place and yes, you will see a small back story for each character and you will use almost all of them. Don’t expect the story telling to be convincing as the voice overs are mediocre – although the majority of them manage to have the same voices from previous games.
Occasional Lag and Hiccups
On my several matches with random people online, I’ve encountered fights where the lag is unbearable I have to quit the match. Having played the game before the release date, I somewhat expected this since Tecmo is releasing a day one patch, in which it is supposed to fix a lot of things online. Out of the ten matches I’ve played, the lags and hiccups that I’ve encountered can be counted to at least 4 to 5.
VERDICT
It’s been a while since console gamers got a full-pledge Dead or Alive game and with Dead or Alive 5 finally here, I must say that it’s all worth the wait. Everything the fans loved from the fourth game will be back as it’s equipped with upgraded visuals, an all new danger zones, more interactive 3D stages, and an addicting online multiplayer – though you might experience a lag occasionally. Regardless if you’re a noob to fighting games, Dead or Alive 5 will be the game that you can easily master. Just don’t expect the story this time in Dead or Alive 5 will be any better.
[Editor’s Note: Dead or Alive 5 was reviewed on the Xbox 360 platform. The game was provided to us by the publisher for review purposes.]
