Dead or Alive 2 for PS2 and Dreamcast

Dead or Alive 2 is a unique fighting game that breaks many of the traditional cliches and generic routines of traditional fighting games. Most fighters as of late have consisted of two characters trading and blocking each others' blows while shooting blazing fireballs across the screen. DOA2 is a strict hand-to-hand combat experience, and a revolutionary one at that. Never before have I seen a fighting game with such remarkable fluidity and style. Tecmo has created the current benchmark standard by which future fighting games will be measured.
DOA2 uses a fighting system similar to the popular Virtua Fighter series. Controls consist of punch, kick and the "free" button. The free button is used for a variety of measures, including blocking and counter attacks. Each character has a vast repertoire of martial arts skills. Moves are executed by combinations of directional movement and button presses. The free button's main use is for reversal counterattacks. If you are being beaten senseless by an opponent, you can turn the tide of battle by using a reversal attack when the timing is right. With a reversal, you grab an opponent's limb while they are attempting an attack and execute a painful-looking maneuver on your victim. Reversal attacks usually inflict a large amount of damage and can be disheartening to the other player's morale. The swift, sudden strike of the move often catches an opponent by surprise, especially if that opponent was doing well before the reversal occurred. While there are a large number of moves available, the fighting system feels so natural and responsive that memorizing all of them is not necessary. Button-mashing players will love DOA2's "natural" fighting system, but DOA2 veterans will be able to defeat them easily by using cunning reversal moves and combination attacks.

The pace of DOA2 is fast and furious. Hardly an idle moment is spent during battle. Kicks, punches, throws and reversals are constantly hammered out between the two characters. Because of the reversals and counter throws, the tide of battle could turn at any point. The tag team battles add even more chaos to the gameplay with split-second character exchanges. A character can fling an enemy into the air and switch partners instantly, allowing the new character to continue abusing the still-airborne enemy. The elaborate fighting arenas in DOA2 are equally revolutionary with "multi-tiered" levels that have multiple elevations. Combat begins on the top tier of a level and progresses downward. Characters can throw and knock each other off ledges to a bottom level, resulting in bonus damage. For example, a certain level takes place in the attic of a large cathedral. If a character is unfortunate enough to be positioned in front of a stained glass window, he or she can be knocked through, resulting in a spectacular crash into the courtyard below. The arenas also contain danger zones, such as electrified fences and solid walls. Wise players will use the terrain to their advantage to gain opportunities to inflict maximum punishment on opponents. These factors make DOA2 a solid, smooth and exciting game.

DOA2's graphics are phenomenal. Character models are rendered in high polygon count, making them detailed and realistic. Tiny nuances become apparent as you continue to play the game. Articles of clothing, hair and ornaments on characters move independently and realistically. The animation quality is absolutely stunning. No other fighting game has been able to include such fluid, seamless motion in the animations. Transitions between moves and reversals occur dynamically and accurately. The mind numbing detail is presented in high resolution graphics, greatly enhancing the "wow" effect. DOA2's in-game graphics rival the pre-rendered computer generated movies of the older fighting games. The Playstation 2 version features character models with two to three times as many polygons as the Dreamcast version, plus enhanced lighting effects, although the Dreamcast version is still a marvel to view.

DOA2 has standard fighting game sounds of punches, kicks, and throws. There is nothing to complain about, yet nothing revolutionary. The music is suitable to the environments, but should be turned down not to be distracting during the intense combat. The Playstation 2 version of DOA2 contains atrociously bad English dubbed voices, but Tecmo was thoughtful enough to include an option to use the original Japanese vocals with text translations in subtitle form.

DOA2 is an excellent fighting game with a great deal of depth and secrets. It is easy to begin but a challenge to learn and adapt. The wide variety of characters and fighting styles keep the action fresh and entertaining. Playstation 2 and Dreamcast owners owe it to themselves to add DOA2 to their collections.




By Tecmo's Team Ninja
For Playstation 2 / Dreamcast
Reviewed by Davis Lentz