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Xbox | Fighting | Dead or Alive 3

Boxart for Dead or Alive 3
Dead or Alive 3 66 screen shots
  • GRAPHICS: 5.0
  • SOUND: 4.0
  • CONTROL: 4.5
  • FUN FACTOR 5.0
  • AVG USER SCORE 4.1
  • AVG CRITIC SCORE 4.3
Winner of the GamePro Editor's Choice Award

Review: Dead or Alive 3

Review by TOKYODRIFTER | 11/15/2001 | 10:16:14 AM PST

Is Dead or Alive 3 the fighting game of the year or just a shallow showpiece for the Xbox? The answer's inside.

After Tengu
The dramatic victory of Ryu Hayabusa in the last Dead or Alive tournament was not enough to avert the end of the century Tengu disaster which has caused massive global destruction and left the world in despair. Under these chaotic conditions, the next project that emerges from the mind of Dr. Victor Donavan after Alpha and Epsilon is Omega project. The project transforms the former leader of the Hajin Mon Ninja into a superhuman known as Genra.

OK, so the story that unfolds in Dead or Alive 3 doesn?t make the convoluted plot any clearer?but then again fighting games aren?t known for weaving engaging tales. Fortunately for the future of the Xbox, DOA 3 delivers everything one could have hoped for from a next generation brawler.

Crazy Beautiful
Anyone who has seen screenshots of the game know that this is one area where the game would deliver, and it does so in spades. The still images can?t convey all the extra texture detail when viewed directly on a TV, or the amazing animation of the clothing on the characters. The environments are also a stunning exercise in excess with intricate detail on every object not to mention the sheer size of some of the areas. (Make sure to check out more pics on page 2 of this article as well as the batch below)

Fight of Your Life
The DOA 3 fighting engine has finally found a distinct set of rules to round out previous game balance issues, and has come a long way from the original. The common counters are slightly harder to time and do less damage, while the brand new advanced reversals not only separate the button-mashers from the skilled, but also inflict extra damage. The numerous refinements achieve a good overall gameplay balance, remaining accessible to beginners while giving experts the depth they crave.

The audio is the only portion that doesn?t match up to the production values of the other areas. Having a big name band provide some tracks is nice, but even die-hard Aerosmith fans will be hard pressed to say the three songs featured are among the better of their catalog. The rest of the background music is well done, but not quite the caliber that will prompt a petition for a domestic soundtrack release. The sound effects are also not quite as meaty as one would like from a sound workhorse like the Xbox, but by no means are they substandard.

Minor audio issues aside, Dead or Alive 3 nails its Xbox debut and firmly establishes itself as the best home console fighting game of 2001.


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