Def Jam Vendetta

"Great game...but something is missing"

Let me say this before I begin: Def Jam Vendetta is a GREAT game, and in my opinion the best next-gen wrestling style title. Other games like WMX8, Raw, and those in the SmackDown series are easily outdone by it. However, I feel that something is missing...something that stops this game from surpassing No Mercy.

DJV has everything that makes a wrestling game good, and more importantly, FUN. Great graphics, a good soundtrack (if you're a fan of hip hop), and most importantly, good gameplay. If you've played any of the AKI wrestling games of the past, you know what to expect from this game. The game is funny, and the Def Jam artists are very well represented and are instantly recognizable. The story mode is also great, if a little short, and makes sense. The voice acting is amazing and gets you into the story. I haven't experienced any slowdown, even in 4 player rumbles, and that is always a plus. The animation is extremely reminiscent of the previous AKI titles, and fans of those games will be happy to see that many of the moves have been used in DJV.

This is not to say that the game does not also have its negatives. The speed has been stepped up a few notches from No Mercy, and while some may prefer it, I liked the methodical gameplay of the N64 AKI titles. This is not a true wrestling game, and some of the specials seem ridiculous. Once again, this is not really a bad thing, but wrestling purists may want to keep that in mind.

All in all, I can't really nail down what it is about Def Jam Vendetta that, in my opinion, doesn't measure up to No Mercy. It could be that it's not a pure wrestling game, it could be that it doesn't have the license of a wrestling promotion, or it could merely be the fact that I got so used to the AKI N64 titles that any change to it seems like a negative. However, I can definitely recommend this game to anyone that likes tried-and-true AKI grappling engine, as well as anyone looking for some fun multiplayer mayhem. I just wish that THQ had kept using AKI to make wrestling titles so that WWE fans wouldn't be stuck with the sub-par offerings that Yukes and Anchor seem to be releasing.

Personal Ratings (1-10 scale):
Graphics - 9
Sound - 9
Gameplay - 8
Longevity Factor - 8
Overall - 8

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/04/03, Updated 04/04/03