S&S Review: Dead or Alive 5

Title: Dead or Alive 5
Format: PS3, Xbox 360
Release Date: September 25, 2012
Publisher: Tecmo Koei
Developer: Team NINJA
Price: $59.99
ESRB Rating: M

Dead or Alive is now two games into the series without Tomonobu Itagaki. Last year saw the release of the dream fighter, Dead or Alive Dimensions, on Nintendo 3DS. This year, Tecmo Koei sandwiches Dead or Alive 5 between two distinct versions of Ninja Gaiden 3. DOA5 continues the exploits of enigmatic mega-corporation DOATEC and the novela-style storylines of the fighters. Along the way, we pick up four new characters to the series. Gameplay is zippier at no loss to content and unlockables. The graphics receive a boost. Of course, all consideration is due to the fact that DOA4 and DOA5 bookend a seven year history of the Xbox 360. To say the least, "jiggle motion" is in tact. So, gamers with a more prurient interest will remained entertained.

Story and Presentation
The story of DOA5 requires a working knowledge of the backstory. It does, at first, seem like an incongruous string of events. The story kicks off with Zack, now Helena Douglas' employee, who sets out to recruit fighters for Dead or Alive 5 (the in-game tournament). Plenty of time is spent in the first half of story mode mired in innuendo and silly faces. The characters, however, all have a distinct relationship with one another. So by the time the story turns to the actual tournament, the player can get a handle on the actual events at hand. The Dead or Alive series is comparable to Tekken in story; as the reasons why a mega-corporation would hold a martial arts tournament are equally as nebulous. Tekken is more the story of sons taking over from their fathers. In contrast, Dead or Alive revolves around the consequences of the actions of one man, Fame Douglas, and his illegitimate daughter's attempts to redeem a family legacy. This time around, the player has to follow the actions of three factions: DOATEC, the Mugen Tenshin Ninja Clan, and the clandestine organization MIST. Old rivalries and distant relations cause the player to run back to Wikipedia or Dead or Alive Dimensions to freshen up on backstory. I got caught up in story mode towards the end.

As an aside, I'm a little disappointed at reviewers of Team NINJA games. Perhaps there is some subtext that gets lost in translation for these stories. I find, however, that reviewers will put out that games like Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden 3 or Metroid: Other M have horrible stories. Then, regardless of gameplay the title receives a poor review citing the story detracting from the experience. Granted, this moment is self-serving, but I don't believe the stories of these games to be nonsense or "asinine". Now, let's talk jiggle motion.

Graphics
The graphics of any Dead or Alive game cannot be properly discussed without first addressing the elephant in the room: jiggle motion. This is the slang name applied to the method Team NINJA has employed to simulate realistic breasts on female characters. It drives some of the unlockable content as costumes accentuate that certain area. Central character and female ninja Kasumi usually sports a wardrobe of costumes. Meanwhile, the male characters have a sparse selection. While jiggle motion is somewhat noticeable during the rounds of fighting, the realistic models of DOA5 downplay the size of breasts. After a battle, the winner can spin the camera around their character like a virtual doll. It's at that moment the silly nature of jiggle motion becomes apparent. The textures twist around flesh-colored water balloons that meet and spread. This simulates the character's breathing; yet, it does come off a little unnatural. Sweat is a new effect to the character models and streams of perspiration pour from the temples and chest. That too, while optional and a bit of a nice touch, is also a little unnatural. Models aside, the stages are wonderful and immersive environments that are super destructive and add a new level of gameplay.

Sound and Music
The voice acting of Dead or Alive 5 features the usual anime style melodrama. The actors assert themselves or whine against a mix of familiar background music themes. Karen Strassman as Helena comes off a bit over-the-top as the character sounds like a cartoon of an American acting like a French national trying to speak English. Lisle Wilkerson as Sarah Bryant is a bit more subdued and husky in the role. Her delivery of the line, "Better run home to momma now" takes away the bite it had in Virtua Fighter.

Core Gameplay
Where Tekken is an exercise in Rock'em Sock'em Robots, Dead or Alive is an exercise in Rock, Paper, scissors. The triangle system of fighting remains a staple of the series. What DOA5 does, however, is level the playing field in terms of speed. Ayane was once the zippiest fighter. Now, the other DOA fighters have no trouble keeping up the pace. Virtua Fighter cameo characters, Sarah and Akira are pokey as they retain their own fighting styles from Sega. In addition to speed, the fighters are gifted with power blows which are enabled after a character's health is sent into the red. These moves are easy to trigger similar to X-ray moves in Mortal Kombat. Landing a charged Power Blow initiates a cinematic close up of the fighter and opponent. Depending on the stage and environmental condition, a power blow can send an opponent into a danger zone which adds even more cinematic flare. Tag team matches can also use power blows involving one or both team members.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Dead or Alive 5 is an excellent fighter and a welcome addition to the main series. Although this is the first game in the main series without Itagaki, the story, graphics and gameplay keep in the spirit of the predecessors. At the same time, there are tweaks and additions to the gameplay which make this title stand out from the pack. The game is full of content and unlockables. This assures us that the future will be bright for those who say, "We are fighters."

S&S Rating: 9.5/10

@jeanlucpierite