Bloody Roar 3

"A lot like 2, but without the fun"

I rented this baby, popped it into the system, and was hoping for something which really rocked. IMO, Bloody Roar 1 was the best of the 3. 2 was too complicated, and 3 just sucks gameplay-wise. The graphics are sub-par for the PS2. I can't believe I can say that since it seems EVERY game for the PS2 has sub-par graphics. Excuse me, Sony? Where is this ultimate system I supposedly bought? Anyway, after playing Gran Turismo 3, I can definitely say that we got robbed with the graphics on BR3.

Sound/Music: Heavy rock music complements the score, although it seems to be a distraction from the actual game, since you need extreme concentration to play the game ''fairly'' (as oppossed to being cheap). The VA comes in very short clips and ranges from bad to god-awful. I personally thought that BR2's opening voice was way over the top. BR3's opening voice sounds like he OD'ed on valium. The beating up sounds are all right, mostly rehashed from the other 2 games though.

Gameplay: A few people are complaining about the AI in the game. It's not a problem with the AI, folks. It's a problem with the battle system. The system is comprised of around 5 layers of ''rock paper siscors'' rules about punches, special moves, throws, beast super moves, etc. Plus the blocking system seems to favour the computer more than you because when you're standing still, you automatically block. In this game, you'll be doing everything except standing still. Attacks are pulled off faster than any normal human's reflexes can respond too, which means countering is done by luck on your half. An just to add insult to injury, the 'dodge' system used in BR2 is now useless Vs. computers because it only dodges one attack, rather than sid391pping a whole series. Didn't Hudson soft play Dead or Alive. If you're going to risk leaving yourself open to an attack in hopes of countering, you better be given a fat reward if you succeed.

Story: Pah! Even for a fighting game it's bad. Actually it pretty much consists of a character spouting some monlogue which is never really explained. kung-fu movies are light years ahead of the brains who thought this plot up.

Difficulty: Impossible if you try to play by the rules, and try to counter, and be like the computer. You'll be lucky if you pass the game on skill level 3. However, the enemy is certainly not invincible to cheapness. After 3 hours of playing the game, I had passed the game on Skill level 1 without continuing once (and got my secret characters!). Then I attempted it on skill level 8. I did have to continue a fair amount, but once I realized that if you just stay away from the enemy and limit yourself to non-counterable moves (drop-kicks and beast super-moves), you'll win...eventually). You don't even get anything for passing it on level 8 (if anyone wishes to dispute that, note I played with Uranus; she doesn't even have a story behind her. PAH!).

Overall: 5. I feel this is generous, considering how little I enjoyed it. If you want a Bloody Roar game, play 1 or 2. You'll enjoy it a lot better, and it's not like your missing out on great graphics.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 07/13/01, Updated 07/13/01