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Dead or Alive 4

Published: Fri 10 Jul, 2009 | On:

The name "Dead or Alive" instantly brings to mind two concepts: good graphics and breast physics. For a fighting game franchise, it's not the best reputation to have, and for the most part of the series' life, it's an unfair reputation too. The original Dead or Alive debuted in 1996 on Sega's Model 2 arcade board. In the midst of Virtua Fighter and Tekken popularity, Dead or Alive was known as a game that played as good as it looked (or bounced). Dead or Alive 2 was a further improvement on the formula, having even more frenetic gameplay, introducing tag-team and multi-tiered arenas to the genre. Dead or Alive 3 fell flat of expectations, being more of the same as Dead or Alive 2. Soon after, the first two games were remade into Dead or Alive: Ultimate for the Xbox with prettier graphics and online play, but only after Team Ninja had released the notorious Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball spin-off, which was quickly dismissed as a voyeur simulator. Knowing Dead or Alive's notorious reputation as "that" fighting series, Itagaki and Team Ninja set out to make a game that would sway all naysayers, even so far as attempting to make Dead or Alive 4 the best fighting game ever. A few years later, the game does not have the turnaround reputation Team Ninja may have hoped for, but nevertheless, it is one hell of a fighting game.

If you're a fan of the series, the first time you start up the game and play a match, you'll feel at home: the crazy action, bout-changing reversals, gorgeous graphics, and, of course, the buxom beauties. It's pure Dead or Alive, and Itagaki is not ashamed of it. Just when you're about to sit on your comfy chair do things start to look different. Suddenly, you can't counter like no tomorrow. Strangely enough, your button mashing skills are slowing you down instead of taking you far. And as you sit and stare at the screen as Jann Lee smacks you into oblivion for the 30th time, you realize Itagaki did what he set out to do: a game that tests your skill and mettle as a gamer. It is this spirit that carries the tradition of hardcore fighting games.

The game now requires the utmost precise timing and keen knowledge of the fighting system. Dead or Alive still retains its rock-paper-scissors (strike-counter-throw) gameplay, but it is less forgiving in every aspect. Counter incorrectly and you will be severely punished. Mash furiously and you'll find yourself slammed against all sorts of environmental objects faster than the barrage of swear words soon to follow. Dead or Alive 4 is merciless, and it's no surprise coming from the same developer that brought you Ninja Gaiden.

Can this game still be enjoyed by the casual gamer? Most certainly. In fact, if you find a friend to play against on an equal skill level, chances are you will have the most fun you will ever have in a fighting game, that is unless you're a born-and-bred Tekken fan. Still, the triumph of Dead or Alive 4 is that it can now be unabashedly mentioned alongside Virtua Fighter as a game for fighting enthusiasts. Dont get me wrong, it is not as technical or input-heavy as Virtua Fighter or Street Fighter, and it doesn't try to be. But the practice and skill required to play this game at a high level is on par with other tournament favourites.

The fighting genre is a strange beast, and the community even stranger. They seem to exist alongside mainstream gamers, but do not expect their games to include the standard features found in other genres. As long as the gameplay is good, they could not care less. Fighting games need to sell though, and so must appeal to a market broader than the fighting niche. Dead or Alive 4's "extra" features include: story mode, time attack, versus, survival, sparring (training), theater (to watch FMVs), and of course, online play. Most of this is standard stuff for a fighter on a console, so in that regard, Dead or Alive 4 is underwhelming. Where is the quest mode along the likes of Virtua Fighter and Soul Calibur? How about the extensive customization of Tekken 5? There is no "gimmick" to keep the casual gamers coming for more. And, since the release of Dead or Alive 4, all fighting games have had an online component, so what was once relatively new now seems stock standard. In fact, with the way online lobbies work in the game, the tediousness of the online avatar lobby system might turn off fighting fans who want nothing more than quick matchmaking.

Though Dead or Alive 4's features may not appeal enough towards mainstream console gamers, the presentation is still ace. The menu is simple and easy to navigate, and if you can find any loading times, they are blazingly fast. Even as I review this in 2009, the graphics in Dead or Alive 4 still astound me. It may not have the raw high-res textures or massive polygon count, but with so many effects happening on screen, superb animation and an edgy art style (the backgrounds need to be seen to be believed), it's a sight to behold. Sound is also top notch, with punching, kicking, and other effects sounding as aurally pleasing as they should. Most of the soundtrack gets lost in the midst of battle, but I have to say, the riff in the menu's main theme is one of the most catchy and blood-pumping in any game I've had the pleasure of playing. And even if the esoteric story does not capture your attention, those CG endings for each character are absolutely amazing that you will watch them more than once. Square-Enix, watch out.

Essentially, Dead or Alive 4 is a very refined game. The gameplay is welcomingly deep, the presentation is top notch and overall, it's a blast to play whether you're a newcomer or an expert. The game may never see the recognition it deserves because of its notorious trademarks, and its lack of features may keep away those looking for bang-for-buck, but make no mistake: Dead or Alive 4 is at the top of its class, and even though Itagaki has left Team Ninja and Tecmo, he can rest assured that he made the best Dead or Alive game one could possibly make. In fact, he already knows he has. Did you not notice the air of finality in the game?