Def Jam Vendetta

"Real fighters don't wear tights...they wear baggy clothes..."

Are you tired of people falling off 40ft. cages, and only to get up a few seconds later? Are you tired of people being hit with chairs and other weapons by 3 different people and being able to walk a few seconds later? Are you tired of trying to with that championship belt? Are you tired of the same old wrestling game year after year? Are you tired of men in their underwear grabbing each other? Well, if you are, then it’s time. It’s time for Def Jam.

We all know who and what Def Jam is. A famous record label including hip hop artist like DMX, N.O.R.E., Method man, Redman, Ludacris, WC, Keith Murray Joe Budden, and others. But what were to happen if these artists would enter the ring together, for One Big Brawl? The result is the new wrestling/ Fighting game Def Jam Vendetta.

Def Jam Vendetta has a lot to go up against in the wrestling video game ring. Contending with games like WWE Smack down: Shut your mouth and legends of wrestling, you need to have a deep wrestling game engine, along with other things. But, Def Jam Vendetta enters the ring with some of the biggest names in the music and video game industry. The famous AKI engine is used along with the over the top EA sports BIG, and mixed with a hip hop flavor with Def Jam artist, you have a contender. And, maybe even a knock out.

Graphics: 9.5/ 10
The graphics of this game are great. Smooth Character models, detailed wrestling rings, 3-d and 2-d animations in the background. The graphics are clean. The fighters themselves have great detail. From hats, shirts, chains, tattoos, they’re all there. The Def Jam character models look like their human counter parts. They are nicely done, you can recognize who is who in this game. The fictional characters also look great in this game. A lot of detail was put into this game as already said. The backgrounds look amazing. The 3-d, 2-d crowd members really give the underground fighting feel to it. Also, many other details give you the feel that the ring fits the owner’s personality. Card tables, barbeque grills, out houses. A lot of detail was put into these things. It’s many little background designs that give that underground fighting feel. But, there are (at times) when your characters would become blocky, and you could see you players foot, go through another players body. But other than that, the graphics are great.

Controls: 10/ 10
The controls are great in this game. They are easy to learn and master. Why is that though? They use the world famous AKI game engine. We all know AKI from other wrestling games like WWF no mercy and WCW/ NOW revenge. The controls are simple, X to grapple, Square to Kick/ punch, O to throw your opponents around, Triangle to get in/out of the ring. The simple controls make this game easy to get into. They also make pulling off combos and special moves easy.

Sound: 10/ 10
The sound in this game is great. The sound effects of you hitting your opponent, throwing him or her on the ground. The voice acting is done perfectly in that in game trash talk, to the cinematic. But, Def Jam Vendetta wouldn’t be Def Jam Vendetta with out the music tracks of the Def Jam artists themselves. You’d expect this game to have a hardcore soundtrack like the Tony Hawk games, but there are limited tracks. 17+ tracks from Def Jam artists. Although, you don’t hear the lyrics while fighting, it takes away distraction, so you can concentrate on pulling those moves.

Story: 10/ 10.
Def Jam Vendetta contains something that wrestling games don’t usually have…a story line. The one player story mode is great. You get to pick one of 4 characters, and take him into story mode. The story is that your pal many is in serious debt. The worst part is that if he doesn’t pay off his debt the owner of the underground fight circuit (D-mob), he’ll be in deep trouble. Manny asks you if you could fight for him because of his broken arm. Just win a few matches and pay off the debt. But, you have a past in this fight circuit; D-mob chased you out of it. But, since Manny is your friend, you help him out. As you enter the world of underground fighting, you fine out that D-mob is dating your ex-girlfriend. Now you have two things to do, pay off Manny’s debt, and win back your girl. But, it isn’t easy. D-mob throws everything at you, tournaments, Handicap matches, the Def Jam Crew, along with other things. If you can manage to get through all this, it’s time to face the big man himself.

As you fight in story mode, you get to win girlfriend fighters. You can choose your girlfriend. But every few matches, and girl comes by, and you have to decide if you want to stay with your current girlfriend, or dump her for the new girl. What ever you choose, it will lead to a “cat fight” where both women fight. If you win with the girl you picked, you get to unlock photos of her (the model that plays her that is.)]

Over all: 10/ 10
The game is not a good game. It’s great. You have plenty to do. Unlock character, rings, photos, costumes and more. You could also bring you crew and have crazy multiplayer fun. Or, you could test your skills in survival mode. Whatever you choose, Def Jam Vendetta will keep you busy for a few days, then, you ca enjoy the other modes it gives you.

Def Jam Vendetta is a game many fans would want. Wrestling fans, fighting fans and hip hop fans. With 44 character + costumes, 10 insane areas, 17+ music tracks, and a deep story mode, with other modes to play from, Def Jam Vendetta delivers the KO in wrestling games.

Graphics: 9.5
Controls: 10
Sound: 10
Story: 10
Over all: 10
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Total Score: 9.9 (10 Gamefaqs score.)

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/06/03, Updated 04/06/03