Def Jam: Fight for NY

"Your career is here!"

Well, I can tell you right now, to me, rap is just one letter short of crap, and at first the only reason I started playing this game is because my friend brought it over to my house. However, I can tell you right here, I became engrossed in the game right there. So, here's my review...

Gameplay: 9

Im a big fan of fighting games, especially arena based games (ala Smash Bros and Custom Robo), so this game fit my needs. Each arena has a different theme and has all sorts of interactivity to them. See that jukebox there? Smash your opponent headlong into it, and it'll break. In one arena, you can even throw your opponent into the path of a subway train.

The game feature a huge variety of characters, mainly rap artists such as Method Man, Redman, and Ice-T. Each uses one to three of rive fighting styles: Kickboxing, Streetfigtning, Martial Arts, Wrestling, and Submissions. Each has their own advantages and faults to them, balancing the gameplay nicely.

Also, the story mode (more on it later) allows you to make your own brawler. You get to customize almost everything about him: jewelry, tattoos, clothing, and hair-do and facial hair. You also get points for improving your character, giving him more specials and improving his stats, like strength and toughness.

Story: 10

That's right, 10. The story mode will keep you busy for a while. It starts as you, the main hero, ram your car into a police car, freeing D-Mob (Chris Judge) and helping him escape. From there, you become a member of his group become involved in a gang war against Crow (Snoop Dog). You'll fight mainly in one-on-ones, but occasionally there will be an optional tournament to compete in for more cash and experience points and fight in free-for-alls and team matches.

Graphics: 7

The main weak point of the game. Even though the models are good (some people even look like their real life counterparts), the textures are quite blurry. Chances are you won't notice because you'll be to busy fighting.

Audio: 8

The music is very fitting to the matches in the game, and the sounds are quite realistic. It got docked a few points, though, because of repetition. All the fighters with the exclusion of your custom character only have one phrase. I get quite bored of Doc (Redman) saying "I'm gonna take yo tongue out, and lick my *** with it!"

Multiplayer: 10

The most perfect multiplayer game I've seen since Smash Bros. This game is sure to shove hours down its mouth when you have a friend or two (or three) over.

Replay: 9

This game has quite a lot to unlock, from extra music to fighters and arenas. The shopping district (where you'll spend half your time in story mode) offers a buttload of things to buy. I even got my character a Karate gi! ^_^ That oughta tell you how much junk you can get.

Overall: 9

This game will burn those weekends away like the hounds of heck are on its heels. It's sure to be worth your hard-earned money. So what are you sitting here reading my review for? Get out there and get this game!

PEACE!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/05/04