Hey, You Guys Like Boobs?
(X360; $59.99; Rated M for Blood/Violence/Sexual Themes/Partial Nudity; tecmogames.com)
(four stars)
The gaming equivalent of “Maxim” magazine makes its exclusive debut on Microsoft’s brand new console. The series, which has become synonymous for eye-blurring speed and ridiculously proportioned women, has become somewhat of a staple for the Xbox- remaining an exclusive since the launch of the original Xbox in 2001.
Like its predecessors, “DOA4” focuses on hand-to-hand fighting from a variety of disciplines, by a variety of characters, in a variety of locations- all of which are absolutely stunning on the new hardware.
What was only graphically possible in pre-rendered cut-scenes is now fully detailed during the in-game fighting. Lighting realistically bends around fighters; water ripples and reacts appropriately as players battle knee-deep in it; and the amount of animated action in the background of venues, such as the Vegas-inspired environment, rivals the real thing in the Sensory Overload department.
Still, I could do without the extreme “jiggle-physics” (a term I just coined) for all of the female combatants. I mean really, how old were the designers of this game, thirteen?
More impressive is that all of this glitz and glam translates very well to “DOA4’s” online component. The multiplayer system is flexible and option-filled, allowing players to either meet for a quick three-round bout, or organize full tournaments with up to sixteen players. Players can enter “Spectator Mode” in order to watch a match they are not currently fighting in, to preview the competition, or smack-talk the fighters with other onlookers.
The only area where “DOA4” does not revolutionize itself is in the gameplay. Fighting still boils down to trading blows back and forth with elaborate counter-moves. Then, of course, there are the moves to counter the counter-moves, and moves to counter those- all adding up to an amazing exchange of fisticuffs- that is, if you can stay in the volley long enough to not eat dirt immediately after your first move. The learning curve is intense: do expect to be humiliated online many times if you don’t practice this game like it was your full-time job.
Nevertheless, if there is only one fighting game on the Xbox 360 (and it is, currently), “DOA4” is not a bad one to be.
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