Review: Dead or Alive 5
It’s hard to talk about Dead or Alive and not mention its cast of female fighters that are as lethal as they are scantily clad. After all, these displays of sensuality, coupled with a deceptively simple yet difficult-to-master combat system, are what define these games and bring fans back for more beautiful and oh-so-brutal battles. Nearly seven years after its predecessor graced the Xbox 360, Dead or Alive 5 emerges looking more grown-up, both in design and control, and places further emphasis on stage effects and visuals, making it quite the sight to behold.
Players familiar with the series will feel right at home jumping into a DOA5 match, as the core fighting system hasn’t changed much since its last installment. The game offers solo and tag battles, and combat still revolves around a complex rock-paper-scissors priority system (attacks beat throws, throws beat holds, and holds beat attacks) that takes time to master. Team Ninja rewarded defensive players by making holds do vast amounts of damage in DOA4, but that damage has now been scaled down, and because holds are more difficult to connect, DOA5 is more about studying your opponent’s moves rather than simply countering ad nauseam.
Read the full review at GamesRadar.com
Giancarlo Saldana is a freelance writer and Gaming News Editor for Blast Magazine.