Dead or Alive 3 (2001)
Dead or alive 3 is the third instalment of Tecmo’s popular fighting series. This game brings back some of DOA’s most famous trademarks like the multi level fighting arena’s and big breasted women. It also introduces things like brand new characters and an improved graphics engine.
Graphics 8/10
When this game was first realised way back in 2001, it graphics were hailed as a milestone in the industry, showing us what the Xbox could do, at least that’s what I thought. I still believe that today, even with games like its main rival Soul Calibur 2 and graphical amazing game Panzer Dragoon Orta, DOA can still stand proud of what it has achieved. And that is a standard for all other games of this genre.
The games engine created massive multi level fighting arena’s with ease, allowing the player to really feel like they are some where and not just locked inside a small arena. Certain arena’s like ‘DOATEC HQ’ is a level where you start in a tall building and once you hit the ground you can’t go any lower. Well in other levels like ‘Lost World’, there seems to be never ending stages, or least I’ve never found an end to them. Each level is well created and is fully interactive, you can smash opponent against almost everything in the arena. Though sometimes you’ll hit them against something you can really tell that there is a set animation to it, this is because your opponent body does not react correctly to environment.
The characters in the game are especially well created. With a 60 frames per second rate, each fighter move just as fast a real world fighter would, allowing for fluid movement and quick action. The detail put in to each character is quite amazing; with all the clothes and hair moving in just the right way, which really makes you appreciate the work that went in this game.
Though this graphics engine is extremely good, there some flaws. First it’s the slow down when you hit an opponent in to a wall and the wall blows up, this creates a noticeable slow down. Another problem is contact between characters; you’ll get items of clothing and body parts passing through each other, and with DOA’s grappling system it makes this very noticeable.
Sound 9/10
I was thinking about how I could write about the sound of a fighting game. I could mention things like the well timed fighting cries or the background music. Then I realised that in this genre, innovation is always welcome, but what you really want is a game that delivers as many realistic sounds as possible. And that’s exactly what Dead or Alive 3 does and it does it very well. That’s why I’ve given it a high score, because this game gives you what you need hear from a fighting. Realistic characters and realistic arena sounds.
Gameplay 7/10
Unlike the sound, the gameplay elements of this game are not quite as good. This games control system is very easy to pick up and play, though it will take you a long time to fully master. Though because of this simplistic control system, hardcore Beat’em-up fans may not like it as much as the casual gamer. The control system has another appeal and that is because it’s exactly the same as Dead or Alive 2 control set up. This will for some people will make this game seem far too similar to it predecessor
The combat system, like in all Dead or Alive games is quite
well put together. All of the returning characters have new move as well their
old ones, along with new characters. Which include Brad Wong, a drunken
fighter, Hitomi; a master at Karate, Christie, a very fast assassin and also
the game has the return of Bayman, the mercenary. Most of these new character
are well thought out, Brad Wong’s style is flowing, Christie is fast but is
needs some work on her ability to cause damage, for Hitomi though, she has
almost no combos long than four hits. Well Bayman seems to be no different from
Another vital part of this game is its counter and combo throw system. The counters in this game are simple the only difficult part is timing them. Well the throw system could have been far more in depth, because I found if I didn’t know the combo I could just spin the joy stick around and I’d end up doing a pretty good throw. The only hard throw I found in this game was Hayabusa’s aerial throw. This is very impressive and very hard to pull off.
In most fighting games the camera is of little concern to the player, and in this game that holds true, well almost. Sometimes if a player goes to close to a palm trees or pillars the games make the object ethereal so the player can see the character. Unfortunately the object does not completely disappear and can get in a players way. I know this isn’t really a big problem, but it’s that sort of little annoyance that bring a game down.
One last thing is the ability to change the characters costumes, which has been a massive part of the DOA series since the very beginning of it. And this instalment is no different. Each character has at least 3 costumes. Most of the women in this game have at least 4. All of these costumes become available after completing some part of the game. Some are incredible easy to get while others will take a very long time.
Story 6/10
In the way of original stories, Dead or Alive does not deliver. Like most Beat’em-up’s the story took a back seat to the graphic and gameplay.
But anyway let me fill you in on what’s happing with this games story. Its story tells us that it was Hayabusa that defeated Tengu in the last game. But soon Hayabusa find out a new evil is rising and returns to DOA tournament. Most of the characters have the logical continuation to their story, like Tina was a model, now she wants to be a movie star, Zack just wants more money (we all know were his story leads to) and Lei Fang is still trying to defeat Jann Lee. So as you can see not much has changed.
The new characters stories do not really add any value to the game; Hitomi is basically searching for Ein, a.k.a Hayate. Brad Wong is searching for a wine, yes I know that’s strange and Christie trying to kill one of the other DOA characters.
For a fan of the series this story is a good one, well on the other hand, gamers wanting an original story should look else where.
Replay 7/10
Like most fighting games, its replay value lie’s in its multi player modes. Because after you finish the character single player stories, multi player mode is all that’s left. Sure there’s a tag single player mode, time attack, survival, but they all dwarfed by the rival game Soul Calibur 2 and its extra’s modes.
One advantage of this game, is because of its simple system of control’s anyone can jump right in enjoy it against even the most experienced players.
Overall 7/10
Over the long time that I’ve own this game, in fact it’s the second game I ever brought, I believe that Dead or Alive 3 set the standards that other Beat’em-up’s on the Xbox should strive to achieve and surpass. This game was only brought down by its lack of new ideas.