Dead or Alive 2

"(Japanese release review) The way it should have been the first time around..."

Before I begin, this next paragraph is for Dead or Alive 2 U.S. DC veterans who are deciding whether or not to buy the Japanese import DoA2:LE. The paragraph after that will go into the gameplay, graphics, etc. for those who are unfamiliar with the game, just for the heck of it. ^_^

Well, well, well, look what we have here. Oh, hey Tecmo, I thought Team Ninja ''maxed out the Dreamcast and completely filled the GD-ROM'' when they made Dead or Alive 2 for the U.S. market? But this, Dead or Alive 2: Limited Edition, seems to have a lot more than my U.S. version does. -GASP- They have performed a miracle! Pa-raise tha lawrd, mah fellow gamuhs, Tecmo hay-uz per-form-ed a miracle! Pa-raise Tecmo! Pa-raise them, bruthuhs and sistahs! (cough cough) Acidic sarcasm aside, DoA2:LE is the game the Dreamcast owners of the United States should have gotten the first time around, not the bare-bones arcade port we wound up with.

The Saturn and Playstation versions of Dead or Alive were both packed to the gills with extras and bonuses. The U.S. version of DoA2 was pretty much devoid of any secrets or bonuses that were worth anything. Sure, the ''REALDEMO'' code was kind of fun, but I really could've cared less when Tengu wasn't playable, there were no extra costumes, no hidden options menu, no hidden stages, etc., like there were in the Saturn and Playstation ports of DoA. The next slap in the face of American DoA2 owners was when Tecmo released DoA2 on the Playstation2 *with extras*. I won't go into that one, though. Now we've got the third of four versions of this game (the impending release of DoA2: Hardcore when the PS2 launches), the Japanese DC version. We've got a healthy amount to open up in the game, and it kind of shows us that Tecmo is not completely evil…They're up there, though, but not quite as high anymore. DoA2 is an enjoyable fighting game. But if you're not playing against a human opponent in the U.S. version, you're left with very little. Story Mode, Time Attack, Survival Mode, Tag Battle, Team Battle, and Sparring (training) mode just did not cut it in the long run. The Story Mode is, in a word, laughable. Most of the characters' stories are either completely stupid, shallow, or make no sense. DoA2:LE borrows some of the PS2 DoA2's new cinemas to try to flesh things out a little more, but in the end, the Story Mode is still as lame as it ever was (by the way, there is an option to subtitle all the story sequences in English, importers). ''Project Epsilon'', Kasumi's clone, Tengu, and many other story elements are still not explained, and are still only there to try to make my head hurt. ^_^ I've noticed that some of the dialogue has been cleaned up a bit for DoA2:LE, but not much (Bass used to say ''Grow up to be a gentle woman'' to young Tina in one scene, and it's now ''Grow up to be a lady''. Sounds better to me).

Once you've gone through Do2's Story Mode once, you're left with little motivation to do it again…DoA2:LE, however gives you incentive in the form of…everybody say it with me…hidden character costumes! Yep, they're back, and even though there are not nearly as many as there are in the PS and Saturn versions (a few of the girls in PS DoA had 14!), we've got a nice selection compared to the pitiful amount in the U.S. version. It'll take a while for you to earn them, so the single player finally has a reason to go in and play when their friends aren't around! Also included is our old pal, Bayman (other than the boss Raidou, Bayman was the only DoA character who didn't return), as well as the final boss, Tengu. Only problem here is that you can't play them in Story Mode, but they are available in every other mode. Next, we've got two returning stages from the arcade and Saturn versions of DoA, complete with their original stage music (the PS version has an almost completely new set of stages). Gen-Fu and Lei Fang's old stomping grounds never looked this good! There aren't any Danger Zones anymore, so you'll be able to see more of them than you used to (plus you won't have all those explosions and juggling to deal with). The original DoA2 stages have been upgraded here and there, too, so don't be afraid to smash your opponent into walls…

Then we have the CG gallery mode; this one's just for the guys (in this game? Go figure!), as it lets you watch a cycle of pics featuring the five ladies. The UPS mode is still a bit of a mystery…it rates your performance as you play (and keeps track of how many steps you take…?), but other than the records I haven't found it to be much use (yet). There has also been a new Internet Mode addition, which reportedly takes you to a DoA2:LE homepage, but I have not tried it out yet myself. Finally, the last addition to DoA2:LE is the new tag-team throws. I would've preferred a few more tag-team stages to fight on, but I'll take what I can get. Let's see, is that everything? New costumes, story mode additions, Bayman and Tengu, classic stages, additions to a few original stages, UPS mode, Internet, new tag throws…that just about does it, I think. SO, the question is ''Is it worth buying again just for these things?'' Well, that's a tough one to answer, since every player has different feelings about extras and additions in games that aren't labeled as ''huge''. Some could care less about outfits, stages, and the two characters. Players who enjoy single player modes in fighters (like me), and fans of unlocking things will probably dig this more than DoA2 U.S. since it's a meatier, more satisfying package. Players who only break out the fighting games when their buddies are around should probably skip it, unless adding Tengu to your roster is your dream (Bayman pretty much plays almost exactly like his successor, Leon, so he won't be a ''totally new'' character to play as).

I myself am much happier with DoA2:LE than I was with DoA2 U.S., because this game actually feels like they took the time to put effort into it. The U.S. version seems like it was thrown out of the gate as soon as possible, because they thought the graphics alone would sell it, and everybody would be happy with them and nothing else. It lacked substance. It lacked personality. And as a Saturn/PS DoA junkie, I was really, really looking forward to what they'd give the gang the second time around. *remembers Kasumi's pink bunny outfit, Gen-Fu's funky Hawaii duds, Bayman's scuba gear, and the other whacked-out costumes fondly, plus the extra options and other goodies* Was I angry at the lack of care put into the U.S. version? Heck, I still am! Bottom line is, I should NOT have had to buy this game twice, and neither should anyone else have. All of these LE additions, plus a handful more, should have been in there in the first place. But I digress; that's all in the past now, and I'm getting a little off track. In the end, DoA2:LE is the complete package for DoA2 fans who want more out of the game and are willing to pay for it. It should not even be considered by casual fighting game fans who only play against other people; when you boil it down, you'd only get Tengu as a new character to play, plus new backgrounds, and the additions most likely won't seem worthwhile to you. DC owners who are planning on buying a PS2 and DoA2: Hardcore should not bother either, since the two games are supposedly clones (though some sources say Hardcore will have more bonuses than LE, but that's still up in the air as of the time of this review's writing, a week before PS2 D-Day. Either way, I suggest you wait a week or two to find out if Hardcore is greater than or equal to LE).

Okay, now that the changes are out of the way, a little DoA2 background for people who haven't played it (note: I'm not doing my usual review format, here, since the main purpose of this review is to help importers interested in DoA2:LE).

First off, Dead or Alive 2 is a 3D fighting game. It allows you to move in and out of the background, like Soul Calibur's 8-way-run, albeit a bit slower than the 8-way-run. The arenas can be multi-tiered, they can be fully enclosed by walls (which can sometimes be broken through to reveal new areas to fight in), and they can have dangers in them (electrified walls, explosive areas to get slammed against, etc.). The terrains are not always flat; there are slopes, stairs, rivers, crevasses, and all sorts of irregularities to deal with as you fight. Think Virtua Fighter 3, only with HUGE stages to play in, and no ring-outs. When you first witness the scope of some levels, you'll be amazed at their size and detail. Next, the cast; we've got 12 varied fighters to work with, ranging from ninjas (Tecmo's famous hero of the Ninja Gaiden NES series, Ryu Hayabusa, included), pro wrestlers, soldiers, Dennis Rodman (one look at Zack will prove that to you), and the hulking weirdo known only as Tengu. They all have a great assortment of attacks to use, and you'd better learn how to use them effectively, due to ''the problem''.

What is that problem? The counter system. I'll tell you right now, if you want any depth at all in VS. battles, do NOT use the ''Dreamcast'' counter setting! Use the ''Arcade'' setting, and it'll seem like a whole new ballgame. DoA2 uses three buttons; Punch, Kick, and Free. DoA had Punch, Kick, and Hold, so DoA vets will have to adjust a little bit. The Free button has a variety of uses. If you hold it, then tap down twice, you enter the free movement mode, ala SC'S 8-way-run. If you tap forward, back+Free (also back, forward+Free), forward, upback+Free, forward, downback+Free, you'll perform a middle, high, or low counter move, respectively. Counters can make or break this game in player's mind. They deal a hefty chunk of damage, sometimes more than a combo or throw technique, so you cannot throw out moves left and right, or you'll pay for it in spades. It gets frustrating to be countered and dealt more damage than you've just given to your opponent by nailing them with a 6-hit combo…That is why I strongly recommend the ''Arcade'' counter option for Vs. play. You'll have to time things better, and you'll wind up doing more work, and it'll feel much more worthwhile than the ''Dreamcast'' setting.

The graphics, though incredible, are just a bit below Soul Calibur in my opinion. Namco put more into the SC world than Tecmo put into DoA2. The characters look great, but their overall design pales in comparison to Soul Calibur's character design. The sound is well done; I don't like the intro rock song and the options/character select music much, but the stage tunes are all well done. The voices are also nice, and there are lots o them, too. The control is usually dead-on, and my only problem is the incredibly snail-like speed at which your fighter backs up. Use the Free walk to retreat, trust me on that one. I think it's a fun game to play against friends (you and three buds can all participate in the 4-player tag team mode), and pretty good by yourself now, too (compared to the U.S. release). And it's got replay value now, too, when your friends aren't around. All in all, while still flawed, DoA2:LE is a goodie in my eyes. Rent/borrow the U.S version of DoA2, then decide if you like the game enough to want to go further and buy DoA2:LE. GlucoseJoe

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/21/00, Updated 10/21/00