Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore
for PS2
Review
by : Craig
Youngblood
Dead or
Alive 2: Hardcore is an amalgam of several games in the DOA
line. I have not played any of the other DOA games, but I
hear this one is the best in the series, a good thing for
the PS2 platform as it strives to build up solid titles. Like
many other fighting titles, DOA takes place around a loosely
defined fighting tournament, with each fighter entering the
tournament for personal reasons- revenge, money, fame, and
love. However, this is where it leaves other fighting titles
behind.
Graphically,
DOA is eye candy in the purest sense. The backgrounds are
dazzling and interactive- you can knock your opponent through
a wall or into a barrier for extra damage. Each character
is unique and well made. Their movements in battle are fluid.
One of the main features for the title is the fact that as
you win with each character, new (and more revealing) outfits
are opened up, allowing for a lot of different looks for each
character.
The controls
are pure butter. At first I had some difficulty getting used
to a system with only one punch and one kick button, but I
think that it's a superior system, with the other buttons
reserved for reversals, throws, and special moves. Each fighter
can reverse opponent punches and kicks which makes battle
a furious back and forth that is pretty just to watch. I can't
count the number of battles I turned around from a reversal
or a throw.
There
are also several modes in DOA, ranging from your typical story
mode, to tag battle where you can pick two players and tag
in, survival mode, team battle and others. There are no "throw
away" modes like Tekken bowling mode (don't get me started
on that mess.) Each one provides hours of enjoyment. I've
yet to become bored with the game.
All in
all I can't talk up this game more. If you like fighting games,
you'll love DOA2: Hardcore. It even converted a die-hard Tekken
fan like myself.
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