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Xbox 360 Review: Dead or Alive 4
Cherishing the hardcore audience the Dead or Alive franchise has been built on, this latest sequel strives to do one thing: alienate every mainstream gamer from ever having a chance at winning. For a lesser fighting game, that's all it takes to destroy the gameplay. For whatever reason, but possibly after countless aggravating hours spent on Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive 4 feels like 3-D fighting game perfection.
There's no solo aspect of the game that sticks out as a highlight. This is a game wrapped around strong underlying coding, that it's a fighting game that's achieved a balance between a wide roster of characters. Thanks to the emphasis on countering, there's not a single move or combination thrown at the player that won't be sent right back if you're playing in a predictable fashion.
At first, it may seem like countering has been eliminated in its entirety. The time frame to pull off the move has been drastically decreased. Combined with a higher rate of speed, it's a long adjustment period for anyone who believes they mastered this franchise. This puts the game firmly in the hardcore gaming mindset, the group with the most patience to lose countless matches to practice and ensure they know every facet of the gameplay.
The other highlight that's captured in this Team Ninja-developed franchise is hard-to-look-at contact. Rarely does a replay convey such intense impact of every blow than in Dead or Alive 4. Previous games also did a fine job in this regard, but this latest sequel (thanks to its speed upgrade most likely) will cause your face to cringe in ways you didn't know your face could cringe. Every blow is sold by the reactions on the character models and the animation warping characters into positions that motion capture sessions would never achieve.
It's a shame the marketing and character models lean so strongly on the upper female anatomy. There are no complaints about this graphics engine (which produces a few photo-realistic environments), but it feels like the multiple levels of the game are hiding behind an anime drenched, "oversized" character set. It could be losing a portion of the audience that would otherwise be captivated by the smoothest 3-D fighting engine available.
You're not playing the game for nothing of course. Beyond the usual set of extra, unlockable characters (including the oddball inclusion of a female Spartan from Halo) and breathtaking CGI endings, Dead or Alive 4 creates a strange and somewhat wasted Xbox Live system. There's nothing wrong with the fighting itself. The ranking system, multiple means of beating everybody up, and cash earning to purchase new outfits is perfectly inergrated into the system.
It's the strange lobby that obviously took a lot of work to implement, but isn't used for much other than showing off one of the strange avatars you bought from the in-game store. In a large multi-player set up, your time is spent watching the fights waiting your turn, or looking at a menu to see who is about to rumble. The lobby offers a few different TV selections to watch the fight on, yet you're not actually in the que to play if you're here. You'll need to enter yourself into game which zips you right out of the fully rendered lobby. The only time spent here is selecting match options, and even then, you're looking at text, not running around enjoying it.
That nonetheless doesn't do anything to mar the relatively lag-free play. The balance means it's perfect for a few quick, fair rounds. It's also a great place to escape from the brutal AI (there is no easy mode here; only normal and very hard). You'll quickly realize that if you can't take on the AI, you won't survive online either. It's hard for a reason, and while it does admittedly seem cheap fairly often, it's all there to make you a better, smarter player. That should be the single goal of any game, especially one as competitive as Dead or Alive 4.
Rest assured you'll spend plenty of time playing too. There's enough here that even after snatching the 100 hours played Achievement, you'll probably still have something to collect, survival goal to beat, item to buy, or a character to finally knock out. It's a flexible title, catering to someone who wants variety, even if the gameplay doesn't always provide it.
Don't let that scare you into thinking this requires a time investment like that to truly enjoy. Dead or Alive 4 is the first classic of this new generation, capable of entertaining for 10 minutes or 10 hours, in one or numerous play sessions. The few delays were worth it, and it shows you why the moment the controller begins pushing out viscious combos.
Dead or Alive 4 is a rated M (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence.
- 2006-02-07 18:25:33
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More PS3 Details Leaked: What This Could Mean For Gaming
A seemingly harmless Playstation 3 forum post about the upcoming March issue of Playstation Magazine has sparked an internet frenzy.
Gamepro reports that just a few days ago (2/2) a major leak was dropped regarding previously unearthed details about Sony's next-gen gaming system.
Most notably, the post suggests that the March issue of PSM will disclose info about the PS3 having DVR capabilities. This means that you will be able to use your Playstation 3 as a "TiVo" like device. This obviously hints at a large capacity hard drive bundled inside the PS3.
Even more drool-worthy is the notion that the PSP will be able to communicate with the PS3 using Sony's LocationFree technology. Basically, you'll be able to not only program your PS3's DVR with your PSP, but you'll be able to watch the recorded shows on your PS3 with your PSP (locally, or through the use of a high-speed internet connection).
The cat could be out of the bag with this one.
This will not only change the face of gaming, but shake up the portable video player market as well. If Sony can beat Apple in the "DVR to portable video player" race, Apple will have to win back their gamer demographic.
Other rumored details include the use of an "iTunes" like interface where users can download HD videos to their systems for use on the PS3 or PSP.
So it seems after all this time of silence from Sony, they may indeed have something up their sleeves to rival Microsoft in what is being called "an all-out war on Xbox Live". If anything, it certainly entertains the idea of owning a PSP. I'm sure glad I've got one now.
- 2006-02-07 00:40:24
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PS2 Review: .hack//MUTATION
.hack//Mutation is the second game in the of .hack saga, a direct continuation of the events portrayed in .hack//INFECTION and a building block for the future segments. Also included with the game is the second disc of .hack//Liminality, a short anime OVA that parallels the game events of Mutation by depicting a separate real-life saga in the same timeframe.
Mutation’s story picks up exactly where Infection ended, adding only a short flashback to help players remember events from the first game. This flashback probably does not contain enough background for .hack newcomers, and it is recommended that players play the first game before starting Mutation, especially since Mutation lacks any sort of tutorial.
Since the storyline is spread out over two more installments, there will not be a sense of closure; indeed, the cliffhanger of an ending is one of the high points of Mutation’s story. Unfortunately, Mutation guards its story revelations as well as the Vestal Virgins were guarded – it is nearly impossible for the player to gain much satisfaction. Too many events within the game are either too mysterious or simply side-plots, leaving players without any real sense of progression.
Kite continues his quest to find how he can revive his friend Orca out of the coma that Orca mysteriously fell into while playing the MMORPG The World. Mutation uses the same combination of in-game revelations, board messages, and player emails as Infection did to reveal story elements.
One of the highlights for this installment is that Kite will meet and recruit several new characters to join him in his quest. Some of these are optional, but one of the coolest is directly tied into the storyline. The downside of more characters is that keeping each character properly outfitted becomes even more tedious; prepare to spend much time in menu-land. Kite also meets the System Administrator and has continued dealings with the mysterious hacker Helba.
Battles are real-time with the exception of menu browsing. General commands can be issued to the AI characters, but it is often necessary to manually issue a specific command for a specific character. The AI of the characters could have used some improvements as they will continually use ineffective magic (despite having fought 20-30 of the same monster on that level) or by attacking when they have been commanded to heal.
Although the game is clearly a continuation – an extension – of the first, there are a few new features to excite veterans. Most of the gameplay, excepting a few excursions to previous servers, takes place on a new server complete with a new Root Town. The role of the Grunties has expanded from mere mount oddity to include a racing mini-game that offers exceptional prizes.
.hack//SIGN fans will be delighted at the inclusion of a few flashbacks from that series as well as some minor references in-game. Careful watchers of the Liminality DVD will also be able to find hidden items, adding extra content to the somewhat short game.
Unfortunately, Mutation does not address most of the issues that Infection possessed. The camera is still completely manual and utterly frustrating. Dungeon layouts are still blocky and uninspired. Difficulty is still unbalanced – it is entirely possible to be wiped within a few seconds by a normal battle but have zero problems taking on the bosses.
The “hacked” levels are more common in Mutation, and the screen frequently flashes a bright white color – frequently enough to give gamers a headache during extended gameplay. Mutation, like Infection, is also short; gamers wanting their money’s worth should complete all of the side-quests in order to break the 20 hour mark.
Mutation also introduces a potential new frustration. Gate hacking requires the usage of virus cores, and some of the story dungeons require virus cores drained from monsters as opposed to ones obtained through story events. To obtain these cores, it is necessary to data drain a large amount of enemies. If a player is unlucky, it is possible to wander for hours trying to find the right enemy to drop the right core and hoping that it can be data drained and will actually grant the core and not a useless item.
Veterans will find the audio-visual elements much unchanged save for the addition of a few new soundtracks and landscapes. The style is still a solid representation of the MMORPG world. Players have the choice between Japanese and English voice acting, both offering solid characterizations.
Despite its shortcomings and lack of replayability, Mutation is another solid title in the .hack series. It can really only be recommended for Infection veterans and those willing to commit themselves to the entire saga. Hopefully the remaining two installments will reward those willing to continue with a good climax to one of the more original RPGs yet.
As a side note, Star Trek fans should look for an appearance by Q - he’s picky about his performances.
.hack//MUTATION is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB for Mature Sexual Themes, Mild Animated Violence.
- 2006-02-07 00:34:05
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PS2 Review: Brothers In Arms - Road To Hill 30
Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30 is one of the most realistic World War II video games I've ever gotten a chance to play. The way this game is presented is beautiful, and the tactical strategies bring a great feel to this game. This doesn't mean it's one of the greatest.
Road To Hill 30 takes you in the role of Matt Baker, a sergeant in command of 13 soldiers who have just parachuted behind German lines near Normandy. Your mission is to disrupt Germany's defenses to prevent any attacks on allied troops once they land on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. This is a true story of what happened to Matt Baker's 502nd Regiment on the seven days from D-Day on.
Like the Medal Of Honor series, Road To Hill 30 gives you some high intensity when you first play. This level makes you feel as if you are in grave danger, and you won't make it through the fight. You'll also feel the tension rise over the repetitive cursing and intense gunfight. As you see people around you go insane, the back of your mind is telling you that you're in for a real treat.
Unfortunately, if you're not a pro at strategizing, you won't get very far in this game. Road To Hill 30 mixes FPS action with Ghost Recon-type strategizing. You must use your L1 button to point to where you want your fellow solider to do. If you want him to take cover and shoot at an enemy, point behind a wall or tree and wait for him to move. After he is in position, you can then aim at an enemy and press L1. While waiting for your ally to take cover, you must suppress your opponent, so he will become occupied and will focus on taking his own cover instead of shooting at you. If you decide not to suppress the enemy, chances are the German soldier will take aim and fire at your ally while he is taking cover.
These squad commands are not very good. The commands don't bring anything new to the table. There are very few commands, and they don't offer much like Rainbow Six 3 for the PS2 did. Rainbow Six 3 had options for your allies to clear an area or to throw a grenade. You can't command your ally to do any of these things in Road To Hill 30. The commands are so simplistic, all you have to do is tap L1 throughout the game to tell you ally to shoot/kill/move.
Pressing the select button gives you an overlook of everything. You can use the D-Pad to move your cursor left and right to check out where enemies and allies are located. This can be very useful for flanking your enemy, which you will do several times throughout this game. To flank the enemy is a strategy that involves some thinking. You will need your allies to suppress the enemy, and then you will need a route to take in order to shoot the enemies from behind. This route is usually around a building or wall.
The graphics in this game are a little above average. All of the graphics look very dark and muddy, and it's hard to see most of the time. I found myself turning up the brightness a lot. Compared to the Xbox and PC version of this game, the graphics are pretty bad. Details in the surroundings are also a tad bit low. The guns and explosions are very nice, but the flames and buildings are very plain.
Audio and sounds in this game are also only average. The voice acting and gun fights sound nicely done. There isn't any music during game play to increase the intense feeling, but there is tons of voice acting. Before and after missions, you will usually have a conversation with your squad and the only thing you can do is watch with your right analog stick. The voice acting during these conversations made me feel as if the same exact voice was being thrown around from person to person, which was very boring to watch. During game play, you'll hear the sounds of German soldiers yelling, guns blazing, and your allies cursing. Mildly I might add.
Road To Hill 30 feels more like a strategy game than an FPS. I don't get the feel of Rainbow Six 3 or Call of Duty when I played, and that made me feel kind of bored. With simple squad commands and sometimes very difficult game play, Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30 feels like just another average WWII game.
Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30 is a rated M (Mature) by the ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language. This game can also be found on: PS2, and Xbox.
- 2006-02-06 00:06:44
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PS2 Review: Dragon Quest VIII - Journey of the Cursed King
Generally speaking, a new game from SquareEnix is cause enough for any self-respecting RPG fan to rejoice. But I get the feeling that Dragon Quest VIII might not be everyone's cup of tea.
While contemporary offerings in the genre have pushed the envelope in one way or another, DQ8 features a design philosophy that might be categorized as "slavish devotion to old-school principles." From the loading screen onwards I fought the sinking feeling that I'd already played a different version of this game before. I mean, stop if you've heard this one already: four adventurers -- a nameless hero, a brutish thief, a cavorting templar, and a flirtatious spellcaster -- save the world from an evil magician, fighting countless random battles along the way. Sound familiar?
What the game does have going for it is a cohesive and charming sense of style. Akira Toriyama (of Chrono Trigger fame) adds his unique aesthetic to even the lowliest of creatures, which really helps to capture a feeling of storybook fantasy. Additionally, the U.S. version boasts added voice acting and a revamped orchestral score, both of which are worthy of praise.
Personally, I can't stand wading through hordes of tough enemies while methodically working my way to the next boss -- it just feels like work to me. For better or worse, I think Dragon Quest VIII may be among the last of its kind.
Dragon Quest VIII is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB for Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, and Simulated Gambling.
- 2006-02-05 15:19:02
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