Review: Dead or Alive 6

& # 39; I can not believe that it is not DoA 5! & # 39;

I first became aware of Dead or alive thanks to the unfortunate Sega Saturn magazine, which once wore a cover image of pro-wrestler Tina, while a huge text stated "BABEFEST FOXY BATTLING!" Since the first day Do a had found his hook, something to distinguish him from the competition like Sega Virtua Fighter and Namco Tekken, the latter still rules today the kind of fight in 3D.

Decades have passed since then. We are currently in an experimental era for fighting games, each trying new ideas and concepts. Whether it is Deadly fightcinematographic narration, street fighter"Obsession with the eSports scene, king of the fighters"Venture into the anime system 2.5D cartoons crosstalk, or, disconcerting, Tekken bringing invited guests from The dead who walk.

Perhaps realizing the need for change, Team Ninja announced last year that he was going to adopt a new tactic with his own franchise. It's time to Dead or alive to be taken seriously as a fighter, they said. Enough tits, panties and doe-eyed lilly. It would be a new Dead or Alive – for a new world of core values ​​- marketed proudly with the slogan "Fierce Fighting Entertainment".

Not really. As one day said Yogi Berra: "It's already seen again."

Dead or Alive 6 (PC, PS4 [reviewed], Xbox One)
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Koei Tecmo
Released: March 1, 2019
MSRP: $ 59.99

For those who do not know Dead or aliveIt's a 3D fighting game that focuses on speed and prediction. Always one of the fastest punches on the market, Do a Reward time in a split second and the ability to take advantage of your opponent's reading. The latter is in the form of Do aThe "triangular system" uses "Holds" (essentially markers) to reverse enemy attacks and turn the fight into your favor. This forces the good players to constantly change their combos, mixing high, low and medium attacks, as well as throws, to prevent their reading. It is an excellent system that can satisfy the psychological fight.

DoA 6"Fierce Fighting Entertainment" remains strong. Fights are fast and exciting, rewarding players for their character knowledge and smart adaptation. As is the case for many modern fighters, DoA 6 introduced a new mechanic One-Button-Super where, once the pause counter filled, the overwriting of a designated button performs a self-combo, leading to a final blow quite disappointing. It is also a "catch-all" version of the series, in which players can use their counter to make a counter that will reverse all forms of typing. These new mechanics will be useful to new players but, as Tekken 7 and Soulcalibur VISimilar "simplified" promotions can lead to a paranoid online gaming style, sometimes interrupting the flow of combat.

The new graphics engine emphasizes skin tones, hair and facial details, as well as the effects of sweat, dust and dirt, which Team Ninja is justifiably proud of. Although it is fair to say that Do a the visual aspect has also been improved, the PS4 edition having an occasional slowdown when the camera switches to present throws or supers. His very noticeable on certain stages, and especially in Survival mode. It goes without saying that the framerate drops in a fighting game are at the top of the no-no list.

In terms of content, DoA 6 is largely by the numbers. Apart from two new stars – NiCO, the girl of nerd, and Diego, the brilliant at the head of the pack, the composition is the same (Rachel and the Virtua Fighter stars). Our heroes all cradle mostly outfits, sets and taunts unchanged. A bunch of unblocking costumes available here have also been featured in DoA 5. As for the steps, the eyebrows are widening rapidly. There is a gym in the city center, a stream in a forest, a paved stone temple, a cyber room with electric floor, a wrestling arena with electrified ring. These have all been designed from scratch, but are essentially remakes of DoA 5. As the ultimate typing line, there is even a museum arena specially designed to be a collection of the previous steps.

This leads to Dead or Alive 6The most important and most notable problem, which permeates all the experience: there is no convincing evidence that a real progression has been achieved Dead or Alive 5: last round, an extension of the game that has been in existence for four years now and was launched in 2012. Certainly, the graphics have been revamped, but otherwise, it is the same bland soundtrack, cheese melody, same group – with sets and costumes barely modified – the same mechanisms, steps, even unlockable. The are exceptions – such as the excellent stage of the cast galleon – but virtually everything DoA 6 is instantly, too, familiar.

At the end of my first hours with the game, my enthusiasm had dissipated. I realized that I was just repeating the same movements I had been following for years. DoA 5. Why should not I? There is nothing new in which to dive really. It's just … more Dead or alive.

Fortunately, alongside the Arcade, Time Attack, Survival and Training Back modes, two new distractions are available to you. Combined practice allows you to get familiar with each character, while DoA Quest offers a series of nearly 100 multi-purpose fights. The best addition of DoA 6, DoA Quest offers players a basic training with costume unlocking, while teaching them the subtleties of skidding, taking, scoring and throwing. Unfortunately, the Tag mode is totally absent. As much as DoA 6 adds, it removes.

Completing the Solo Mode is another dreadful Story Mode, which once again consists of a hodgepodge of clumsy 20-second montage scenes interspersed with one-turn battles. The story and the chronology of this story are omnipresent and although they are not as intolerable as Street Fighter Vthe efforts, Do aThe story mode is dull and lifeless. Tag mode is now completely absent. Frustrating as much as DoA 6 adds, it removes.

Although I have not been able to try the online part of the final version, I'm sure the fans have been slow in the recent demo, which should give you an idea of ​​how DoA 6 perform online. The second demo, which took place last week, showed a considerable improvement in stability compared to the first. We hope that it will be even better for the exit. At the moment, only ranked play is available, lobbies will be added later in March. This is not the only thing to be added in the end, however, as the first day also sees the beginning of a beefy DLC character and costume scheme, headed with a disgusting first, ninety dollars Season pass.

Dead or Alive 6just like its previous entries, is fighting a good fight, it's not in question here. But adding a combo system to a button and applying more land on the faces of the characters does not constitute a sequel. Watch Street Fighter IV at Street Fighter V, or Mortal Kombat Armageddon at Mortal Kombat IX. These are suites. These titles feature aesthetic changes, compositional changes, and a whole new game mechanic. These games experiment with character designs, scenes, and new audiovisual styles. They take risks. Of course, everything does not hit, but progress is attempted, These brands remain fresh and exciting and change not only over time, but also with technology, the public and the current market of fighting games.

In comparison, Dead or Alive 6 is Dead or Alive 5 with softer flesh tones and some extra modes. As a result, it is almost a photocopy of his seven-year-old predecessor. Although few are disappointed by Do aGameplay of the brand (aside from framerate hiccup), I have no doubt that even the most hardcore of fans will find everything that is all too familiar. At the risk of making comparisons a little further, Dead or alive risk of becoming the equivalent in terms of fighting game of EA annual sports publications: the game of last year, but with minor improvements and a higher price.

Although this remains a fun fighting experience, Dead or Alive 6 shows that the brand is running out of ideas. With little to present in terms of new concepts, gameplay surprises or brand creativity, this long series chooses to remain "more or less the same" while hoping to be the engine that pulls the DLC train. During this competitive era of fighting game reinvention, it's just not going to cost you 60 dollars.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

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Dead or Alive 6 commented by Chris Moyse