Ben-DutkaAs most of you know, I wouldn’t rank the Fighting category among my favorites in gaming. However, there are a couple franchises that have snagged me in the past; one of them is Mortal Kombat and the other is Dead or Alive . I can still remember dominating a roomful of my buddies in DoA2: Hardcore , which was quite the impressive title for the PS2. …it was the last time I’d dominate anyone in a fighting game, but hey, it still happened.
And that’s why I’m definitely interested in seeing what Tecmo has to offer in Dead or Alive 5 . The developers have already made a few encouraging statements, including the fact that they’re really focusing on the mechanics and physics of the newest entry…and yes, they mean physics beyond breast bouncing. In fact, based on the tone of those designer comments, it seems like Team Ninja is a little peeved at the assumption that DoA is only about T&A. They want to prove that the heart of a robust, fully fleshed-out fighter beats beneath all that appealing skin.
If you’re familiar with the series, you know what to expect in terms of visuals: Very slick, very clean, and very vibrant. The animations should also be silky smooth and this time around, environmental interaction will be a major staple of the experience. Before, we’d maybe bash through a few areas during a match but now, various obstacles and other objects in the landscape will come into play. Plus, there are all-new gameplay elements that should add both depth and variety to a mechanic that was once heavily centered on counters.
First up are the Power Blows, which are attacks that begin an environmentally-related attack. The interesting part is that you have to wait until your character has less than 50% health before executing a Power Blow; guess the developers didn’t want players tossing their opponents into walls right off the bat. As it turns out, there was some feedback from fans who said if Power Blows were available all the time, it would make the game too easy. That’s probably true. Anyway, each character will require a different button input to start the move and there’s a charge time, too, so it’ll be tough to get exactly right.
Power Blows have also been added to the Tag Matches. As you might expect, both of your fighters must be below 50% health; one of your characters executes the Power Blow, which first throws the opponent towards your teammate. Your teammate then uses the environment to seriously fu** up that hapless opponent. Last on the list is the Critical Burst, which will definitely take some practice. When you take damage, your health bar will flash for a brief second; this is where you can perform a Burst, which puts your surprised opponent into a crippled state. The designers might alter this feature before the game arrives, though.
Dead or Alive 5 is set to launch on September 25 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Bounciness will definitely be a part of it, but make no mistake: This one’s a fighter, through and through.
I really want this.
Other tweaks to the engine include a universal side step mechanic. Something only applied to a discrete number of a combatants in game's past.
They also narrowed the counter hold timing window and reduced it's damage. I'm curious if it still uses the 3 tier damage scaling based on timing accuracy. Basically, in past games, if a player timed a counter hold within around 10 frames of contact, the player would dish out 50% more damage on the counter hold (called a hi-counter hold). And if it was a real late, poorly timed, counter hold it would deal 50% less damage (called just a hold).
Also, they did just announce a collector's edition that comes with an art book, sound track and other goodies. I probably wont pay extra for that but I do plan to reserve this one. I'll be all over it.
Did you say collectors edition? I'll be there, that's the only kind of physical purchase I will make now. Games that are just a disc in a case with a doublesided folded card for reference are just not worth the purchase.
That aside the game looks really good.
steel case, soundtrack, artbook. It's about $20 more and DOA's usually have great soundtracks.
Also, if you pre-order the game, you'll get some extra bikini boobie outfits.
It's gonna be goood fun! I didn't know Virtua Fighter characters were in it, cool. I only wish there was a character creator.
I'm not really into fighters(although I do have some DOA games in my collections), but this one does look good.
BTW, off-topic for a sec, but at my age, I feel the need to say it anyways…..
I normally hate those age-gate thingies that that are supposed to protect the sites from under-age liabilities, where you have to do up to 6 clicks just to get inside(especially at my age where I have to scroll the year's gate all the the way down to 1952 LOL).
So I certainly don't mind this newer style age-gate that's attached to the video above, just because it automatically jumps to each box for me, & that's 2 less clicks.
Hope everyone starts doing their age-gates this way.
I don't even know what the point of those is, what kid is going to input his or her real age?
Whats worse is if you mess up and the website blocks access to you for a period of time. Can't tell you the amount of times I have put in 1997 instead of something 1987.
It's prolly just for them to be on the safe side. Like, we are showing mature content and our viewers have to input their age. If they lie that is not our problem though… We did what we can.
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 6/26/2012 9:45:15 AM
yeah I suppose it's just covering their bases.
@WorldEndsWithMe
I'm 21, but even I don't bother inputting the real age. Takes too much time. I usually just 01, 01, random quick scroll. Then done.
Boobs.