The Dead of Alive series has been known for primarily two things.
- Fast paced 3D combat with a countering system that allows you to turn the tide on your opponents in a flash.
- Multi-tier level and Danger Zone stages that allow the fight to continue on beyond the normal "ring out" barriers. (oh and beautiful woman wearing lots of pretty clothes.)
DOA Is Back!
What makes the series unique from other fighters, is how stages are more like sprawling levels. You can throw an opponent down a flight of stairs and continue the fight, or throw an opponent out the window of a 10 story building and continue the fight on a nearby rooftop. The different tiered levels adds a layer of strategy and depth, as players have to also be aware of their surroundings and what attacks will benefit them in the right situation.
Select from over 20 different fighters
Another great feature of the series, is the "hold" system, where fighters can counter an opponents attack and push them away or do extra damage. In Dead of Alive: Dimensions, the "hold" system has been tweaked a bit, so now Punches and Kicks that aim in the middle can be counters with a "back + hold" combination, whereas in previous games it was "back + hold" would counter a mid punch and "forward + hold" would counter a mid kick. In my short time online, it does mean some players will continually spam the middle counter, because most fighters do have attacks that will eventually hit the mid section, thus giving them a chance to counter. I would say it's unfortunate they didn't keep it the old way, but there's still mix-ups, throws, and delays that can help you avoid being spammed with a counter and allow you to punish those counters.
Experience the Chronicles of DOA
Dimensions boasts a plethora of gameplay modes for anyone looking for a fighting game that lasts. There's the versus mode both online and local, arcade, survival, tag matches, training, free play (fight your AI of choice in any stage) and the Chronicles mode.
Follow the Story of the DOA Series in Chronicles mode
Chronicles is the entire Dead of Alive series storyline rolled into one little cart. If you're new to the series, this is a great entry for beginners, and it's also a great refresher for veterans. Along the story of DOA, you'll learn the ropes of the fighting series and play through a couple of different characters as you see how everyone's story intertwine together.
Some story scenes are animated, while others are static.
Dead of Alive Dimensions makes it more accessible to players, by having the game slow down during fights in the story, showing characters button prompts, and allowing them to learn how to either counter attacks, when to initiate a throw, block an attack, or use a move. To me, I think it's a really great idea for beginners, but I also feel it should have been utilized a little more, or that there was a harder mode for veterans that removes this feature. While it doesn't disrupt the flow, I feel that it doesn't pop up enough for those who button mash their way, hoping for victory, and yet it's pointless for veterans who know how to play already.
Fight in 3D
Dead or Alive: Dimensions does not stray too far from the series' traditional fighting setup that it has been known for. You have your punch, kick, block, and throw buttons, no convoluted six button setups, or multiple button input systems. This 3D fighting game allows players to side-step around players as well as move back and forward.
Take on the world online, or go it alone. It's all up to you.
For the 3DS, you can play the game entirely in 3D. This 3D effect does not really enhance the game at all, but it does really make it feel like you're watching fighters nearby beat the living daylights out of each other. The most prominent use of 3D and it's effects comes with the game's in-game asset cutscenes (the CGI scenes are not in 3D) and the way the UI "pops" out at the screen. Still, while the 3D effects aren't beneficial, this review personally enjoys playing the game with it on.
There's also the ability to take 3D photos of your characters, albeit this mode sadly is a bit underwhelming compared to DOA 4's photo mode, which allowed you to take photos while watching your recorded fights. Since DOA: D does not allow you to also record fights and save replays, this was perhaps their only way of giving us the photo mode. You can take pictures of static "figurines" of your characters posing in ways, and choose a backdrop scenery to place them in. Unfortunately, you can't really have more than 2 fighters together, unless it's a "figurine" already, so having pictures of funny odd moments in your fights, or that beautiful counter finish attack that won you the match against your opponent can't be saved.
Take the Fight On the Go
Since the 3DS has some lovely wireless features and functions, Team Ninja has taken advantage of these features in some fun ways.
Ryu readies his Ninpo attack.
Team Ninja has been releasing DLC costums over the internet via SpotPass notifications, along with "throwdowns." While the DLC can't be bought anywhere or unlocked, it's a nice little treat that's given to fans who own the game and a great little bragging right for players to show off when fighting online or against friends. Another great feature is, if you pass another 3DS owner while in StreetPass mode, you and that fighter will exchange versus data, where you can fight the opponents "ghost."
If you are feeling like fighting the world, there is also a online mode where you can fight random players in your region or worldwide and test your skill against them. The online in my experience has worked decent, there was some lag when playing the game that causes some delay, but other times it also worked pretty smoothly too. So like any fighting game online, you're bound to just have those matches where someone isn't playing 50 feet out their wireless range or someone has a strong enough connection where the lag is minimal.
This fighting game series revolves around clones, tournaments, and ninjas. Hopefully you aren't as lost as Bass is right now...
I will admit, I miss the lobby system, I have not played any friend matches, but unlike DOA 4 where you could create a virtual lobby and fight against friends and opponents while interacting and setting custom matches, the ranked matches online do not let you do this. If there is the ability to do so during friend matches, that would be great, but I need friends on my friends list first before I can say. Either way, the fighting online works, and the setup can be quick if there are people online playing, otherwise it can take a while to find people too.
Entering the Fray A little Bruised
DOA: D is a great fighter, but far from perfect. A few of my complaints I had with the game revolve around a few things, while not a deal breaker, are something I still miss. First and foremost, I do miss not having the ability to save and record replays. When you have that really great fight against your friend, or some random player, sometimes it's great to have a little memento of it. Also, some people, like myself, like to watch their replays to study how they play and how others play. It's a small feature to some, but I know hardcore players themselves would appreciate this piece of content.
I think this wasn't the Electro-Shock therapy Ryu had in mind...
My first major gripe with the game though, is the use of some static scenes during the Chronicles mode of the game. While some parts of the story are animated in-game cutscenes, there are also other times where it feels like Tecmo had strict budget or small development time, because some scenes aren't fully animated. One scene there could be lips moving, characters moving, walking, and other motions, then the next few seconds later a scene goes by where everyone is static, and camera sweeps and pulls are used to give the allusion of movement or "excitement." It's a real downer, and one real unfortunate gripe I have with the game.
Another little gripe I did have with the game, was the lack of a lobby mode for online. Again, I have yet to play with a friend, but I have not seen this mentioned in the instruction manual, that you can create lobbies for you and friends to play. I don't know if you can voice chat with others online, even with friends, but I feel that since it's also not mentioned in the manual, that won't also be available for players too.
Next, I do wish that photos would be viewable and saved for you to see on the 3DS's picture view. The only way to view and share your photos is just through the game, which is unfortunate, but again it's no deal breaker.
Another problem with the game isn't the game itself, but the system. Some players may not be able to play this game because of the D pad or Circle pad. It's no arcade stick, and there will be times where you feel you pressed the right direction and the game didn't read it properly. To say that serious play can't be happen is a bit farfetched, because everyone now does have the same handicap. However, players who want no mistakes other than their own, not the fault of the system's design, will likely not take to this game that seriously for higher level play.
The Final Round
Overall, the game is a great purchase for anyone who is looking for more fighting games on the go. As far as portable titles and fighting games in general, it looks like the 3DS does show that some serious fun and play can be had on a portable system. The game is smooth when playing with others, the controls on the 3DS take some getting used to, but I personally found using the D-pad and buttons sufficient enough, but everyone else may vary.
The game is great for new comers into the series and fighting game fans in general. If you want a system that boasts some beautiful graphics and shows off the 3DS's tech well, then I would highly recommend this title. DOA: Dimensions is a great game that is one of the 3DS's strongest titles out there.
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