Dead or Alive 2

by Tecmo

Product Features

• Dreamcast

Product Details

• ASIN: B00004KHAG
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,917 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Editorial Review

While you may not be familiar with the original Dead or Alive--a run-of-the-mill fighting game most famous for the bouncing breasts of its female combatants--the sequel Dead or Alive 2 is a major-league contender that ranks up there with genre giants (including Soul Calibur and the Tekken series).

Dead or Alive 2 features drop-dead gorgeous visuals, with gracefully animated 3-D characters rendered in great (and in some cases, downright naughty) detail. Not merely scenic backdrops, the lavish 3-D arenas are also highly interactive: fighters get slammed and thrown against walls, and, in some cases, they can be thrown through windows and off ledges, with the camera viewpoint following the aggressor as he or she jumps down to the lower level of the arena to continue the punishment.

A game that plays as good as it looks, Dead or Alive 2 sports a rich combat system that's heavy on the counterattacks. Gameplay moves along at a blazingly fast pace, and the simple controls are easy to pick up on and make executing combo moves a breeze; this is a brawler that both button-mashers and hardcore gamers will enjoy.

Unlike other fighting games which contain hidden features that must be "unlocked," Dead or Alive 2 pretty much lays all its cards out on the table from the start. There are 12 fighters to choose from (each with at least one alternate costume) and seven modes of play are available (including tag battle mode and a two-on-two battle royal that up to four players can join). --Joe Hon

Pros:

• Drop-dead gorgeous visuals
• Blazingly fast gameplay; simple yet effective controls
• Highly interactive 3-D arenas
• 7 modes of play, including tag battle mode

Cons:

• Virtually none to speak of

Product Description

The world has become a very chaotic and disoriented place ever since the tragic murder of Fame Douglas, the sponsor of the legendary "Dead of Alive 1 World Combat Championship". We must now rely on you to ensure that the world returns back to a state of peace.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not quite Soul Calibur, but very, very close, March 22, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Dead or Alive 2 (Video Game)

If you like fighting games at all, stop reading and buy this game (unless you don't have Soul Calibur, in which case, get that first). If not, read on.

If not for Soul Calibur, this would be the definitive fighting game on the Dreamcast. As it is, it comes in second to Soul Calibur, but they are very, very close.

Soul Calibur has a slightly better fighting system than Dead or Alive 2, but Dead or Alive 2's system is one of the best ever. The problem is that the counters play too large a part in the system, and battles can sometimes turn into a volley of counters.

As for the graphics, it is too close to call. I'd say that Soul Calibur and Dead or Alive 2 tie for the best graphics on the Dreamcast. The environments are absolutely stunning (especially the Opera House), and the players move very realistically. Of course, the cinemas are completely incredible (what is even more amazing is that they are rendered in realtime). The graphics even look good enough to be first-generation Playstation 2 games. Jaws will drop.

The main problem with Dead or Alive 2 is that it has a limited 1-player mode. In the past, fighting games had only Arcade (1-player) and Versus (2-player) modes. Then Soul Edge (and its sequel Soul Calibur) came along, added a Mission Battle mode, and spoiled us. Dead or Alive 2 has the traditional Arcade mode (called "story" mode in this) where you fight six opponents and then the boss, but after Soul Calibur, we have come to expect more from a fighting game when our friends cannot join in. In between some of the battles in Arcade mode, the aforementioned beautiful cinemas are displayed, serving to progress the story. Once you beat the boss, you are treated to a ending cinema, which, for all 12 characters, is shorter than the between-fight cinemas, has little to do with the story, and is somewhat disappointing after seeing the incredible cinemas. If only the endings were more like those of Tekken 3, or even like the between-fight cinemas, your hard work would be more rewarding.

Dead or Alive 2 also features a Versus mode, a Sparring (training) mode, a Time Attack mode, a fun Survival mode where you scramble to pick up items for extra points, a Team Battle similar to that of Soul Calibur, but amazingly has absolutely no load time, and the most extensive Option mode I've ever seen. The real meat of Dead or Alive 2, however, is the Tag Battle mode. In it, you have five options: Player (henceforth abbreviated P) 1 vs. Computer, P1 & P2 vs. Computer, P1 vs. P2, P1 & P3 vs. P2, and P1 & P3 vs. P2 & P4. Finally, a four player mode in a fighting game. Those of you who have played any of Capcom's Vs. series or Tekken Tag Tournament will know what to expect from this mode. For those who don't, you pick two characters and can switch between them in the middle of a fight, even to the extent that you can do tag-team moves or combos. The character who is not fighting slowly regains energy, so part of the strategy is knowing when to pull your fighter out for recuperation. To win in this mode, you must defeat both your opponent's fighters.

As if the Tag Battle wasn't cool enough, the best part of the game is the stages. They are multi-tiered and dangerous. In most stages (perhaps all, I'm not certain), there are "danger zones" in which you can knock your opponent for extra damage. For example, one stage is surrounded by an electric fence. Also, most (again, perhaps all)stages are multi-tiered, meaning that you start off one on level, and you can knock your opponent down to another level. For example, in the Opera House, you start off at the very top, in the balcony. On one side, there is a railing through which you can knock your opponent to send him or her flying down into the next level of seating. You guessed it, just like the danger zones, a fall to the next tier will cause extra damage to your opponent. This extra damage forces you to strategize about your position in the stage (i.e. you want to be away from the danger zones or any edges), and this feature is a welcome addition to the genre.

Overall, Dead or Alive 2 is an innovative and must-have Dreamcast game.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superior fighting game! Worth the money!, July 7, 2000

By 

m.a.r.i.l.y.n (USA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Dead or Alive 2 (Video Game)

So the big question seems to be: Dead or Alive 2(DOA2) or Soul Caliber (SC)? I own both, and in all honesty, I find DOA2 to be the better of the two, despite having to shell out more money for it.

So what makes it better?

The graphics for one. SC was no slouch, but fabulous architecture does not make up for flat, geometrical fighting stages. DOA2 easily surpasses SC and earns many kudos for fabulous interior design, coupled with multi-tiered fighting stages (nothing like throwing someone through a cathedral window to the courtyard below, is there?). Also, the characters in DOA2 feel like characters moving through 3 dimensional space (their clothing moves with them) as opposed to wire frames with bitmapped skins. And their expressions match the task at hand, unlike Soul Caliber where the contestants look either constipated or happy to get beat up.

Two: the audio. Both SC and DOA2 have the original Japanese voice actors, but whereas SC makes a player cringe (horrible, horrible translation job), DOA2 makes it believeable. The voice acting is on the money. Whether a player likes the rock and roll BGM (with some asian and classical fusion) is a matter of preference, but it fits the overall feel of the came to a T.

Three: Lightening quick load times. The engine loads once before the fight and everything moves seamlessly from there.

Other noteworthy features:

Cut scenes which are a cut above. Visually, nothing compares. Some RPG fans might be screaming "you call that story development? " but they they get the job done - in style.

DOA2's hand to hand combat mode is pretty easy to pick up. You'll be flipping and kicking in under ten minutes (even my mother won a few rounds, and she NEVER plays video games). And the training mode is super friendly for those who want to master the aerial arsenal. Also, while the characters are each unique with their own moves, they're all pretty much evenly matched. There is no ONE super character. (It doesn't make much sense reality wise, but it makes for a great fighting game.)

Some people have complained that DOA2 lacks "secret" features, but I prefer having all the characters available as opposed to having to play countless rounds with characters I don't like to "unlock" my desired choice.

Of course, the game does have it's drawbacks: limited costumes, only 12 (or is it 14?)characters, way too many gratuitous panty shots (at least as far as this female gamer is concerned), lack of stage selection in survival and team battle modes, but the truth: you're not going to notice them. You'll be to happy with what IS available.

I'm glad I own both SC and DOA2, but if I could only keep one, it'd be DOA2.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extras or no extras, get this game., April 3, 2000

By A Customer

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Dead or Alive 2 (Video Game)

Graphics: What's new to say here? Great graphics, loading times only before fights, 60fps, no slowdown, enough said. Graphics score: 10.0

Sound: The music doesn't catch your attention, but it's on par for a game like this. The sounds are top notch, and THANK YOU TECMO for not using cheesy US voice overs. Sound Score: 9.5

Gameplay: What matters most in a fighting game? Gameplay. And let me tell you, you will not be disappointed with DOA2. Some people say to only get this if your an experienced fighter, because the gameplay is hard to master. True, it is easy to pick up, but it takes a while to master, which just adds more replay value. Gameplay: 9.5

Replay Value/Extras: The Tag Battle is the best I've seen EVER, topping Tekken Tag and Marvel vs Capcom. Set the difficulty to very hard and set the CPU life gauge to max, and you'll be busy for a while. Sure there are no extras right now, but I've got a feeling that Tecmo is keeping some sort of secret. I could be wrong though.

Well, extras or no extras, I love this game, and I'm not even a guy who likes fighters that much (besides Street Fighter games). Once I got into the game, I didn't care that there were no extras to lock. Yes this game is that good. Replay Value Score: 9.0

Overall: Hopefully this review will make you consider buying DOA2, or at least renting it, which I think everyone should. Overall Score (not an average): 10.0