Bloody Roar 3

"More of the same, yet still worth the effort."

I would like to begin this review by saying that this game is basically a souped up repeat of it's predecessor. Not that it's a bad thing, I just felt it needed to be stated. In any case here goes...

Gameplay-10
Control wise this game is one of the easiest yet most complex I've seen. It is amazing how many different moves and combinations one can pull off with only 2 attack buttons, a throw button and 2 sweet Beast Drives. The game itself is very smooth and easy to get into. It's not hard to just pick up and play when going head to head with a friend. Isn't that what we all want in a good fighter game?

Story-6
Personally I do believe they could have done better with the different character stories or at least animated something in there. None of the character stories were enough to immerse me to the point where I actually sat back and read them through before/after fighting...then again it's a fighting game...who needs a story?

Sound-8
From grunts to the sound of your neck snapping as Uriko has finished flinging you around the arena and you are landing on your head, this game has it all. I believe that this is one of the few fighting games I have actually really listened to the beat of the background music, or ''muzak'' as I should put it, as I beat the living crap out of my friends repeatedly.

Graphics-10
Like many fighting genre games, this is where BR3 truly shines. From the simplest facial expression to the intense Hyper Beast lightning effects, this game is a mosaic of color and dimension. With the spectacular lighting and plasma effects, when pulls of an 8 hit-to-Beast Drive Combo, you may not know if you're high or what...it all depends...then again I highly doubt that sort of thing will happen to anyone...maybe...

Replayability-7
Though it is fun to just run though and own everyone over and over again (this can be a really tough job for some due to the game's chaotic A. I.), this game does become tedious after a while...seems to be all fighting games downfalls. But after constantly completing specific modes repeatedly or just ranking at certain points, you are awarded with special options that totally make the game worthy of buying. Plus it makes a handy backup small get to together type game (would be better if they had a 4 player battle royale setting...but we shall live).

Buy/Rent-???
Honestly I cannot tell you wether to buy or rent right off the bat. I have to make something clear. This game is somewhat short and has limited offerings depending on the patience of the player. I personally would buy it and plan on it when I am able. In general I say if you are a die-hard fighter/Bloody Roar fan then go ahead and shell out the dough to add this game to your arsenal, but if you're only looking for a quick thrill, but don't want something that takes more than one rental to finish then this is definitely the game to go for.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/21/01, Updated 08/21/01