Dead or Alive 3 - Review for Xbox

A new installment of this fighting game franchise has arrived, this time for the Xbox console. Will Dead or Alive 3 be a worthy rival to the Tekken series?

Those who have played DOA2 on either Dreamcast or PS2 already know what to expect, because compared to the previous game, the only real changes are the graphics—and if they were good before, now they’re amazing. The stages are not only more detailed but also larger, with interactive elements (breaking walls, falls, electric shocks, etc.). The reflections, textures, lighting, fog, and more are simply mind-blowing—and the best part? They don’t affect the game’s speed, which runs perfectly.

Dead or Alive 3 makes it easy for beginners to get started, but that doesn’t mean they’ll easily beat experienced players. In fact, the game rewards quick reflexes and good timing more than anything else. Reversing an overly aggressive opponent or throwing a too-defensive one is the key to winning.

Big combos also help. Dead or Alive 3 has tons of moves for each character that you can chain together in quick succession—moves that stun opponents, launch them into the air, and let you juggle them with follow-up attacks. In tag matches, you can even call in your partner mid-combo for devastating results.

As for the sound, we get some high-quality Aerosmith tracks, but the character voices (screams, grunts, etc.) are noticeably lower quality compared to the rest of the game.

Characters

When it comes to the roster, while we complained about the lack of fighters in the last game, this time four new ones have been added (Christie, Brad Wong, Hitomi, and Ein), plus the final boss. Without a doubt, the characters might be one of the biggest draws (especially for the male audience), since the female fighters look like they’ve been under the knife (if you don’t get what I mean, just look at the pictures).

But what good is a game that looks and sounds great if the gameplay doesn’t hold up?

This is the game’s weak point. The moves are practically the same as in DOA2, with few techniques, and over time, the controls feel repetitive and boring. It’s here where you realize the button layout on the controller isn’t as well-designed as it should be. Still, newcomers will find the controls very simple—maybe too simple...

Dead or Alive 3 Gameplay

Comparing Dead or Alive 3 to:

• Tekken Tag Tournament: The biggest difference lies in the number of characters and techniques available, where Tekken is the clear winner—except in the graphics department, especially the stages. (A problem that seems fixed with the release of Tekken 4.)
• Soul Calibur: In my opinion, this is the undisputed king of fighting games. Weapon-based combat, a huge variety of styles and moves, and long-lasting fun (it’s much harder to get tired of it than DOA3).

Conclusion

All in all, it’s a great fighting game (though not the best), and I don’t think it justifies buying an Xbox on its own. But if you already own the console, then buying Dead or Alive 3 is worth it.

The Best of Dead or Alive 3:

• Graphics
• The female fighters’ models

The Worst:

• Too few moves, leading to boredom—and eventually, the game collecting dust on your shelf.

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