Def Jam Vendetta

"A Game On The Brink Of Greatness"

Def Jam Vendetta made me do something I rarely do nowadays in this age of mediocre gaming. It made me go out and purchase a new game at full price. Soon after playing the game, I realized that this was a special game. They advertise 44 characters but I have only seen 39 thus far. The gameplay is very nostaglic in a good way. Everyone loved Aki on Nintendo 64 but I swear, once you get into the game , you don't even realize that the controllers are different.Controls are a 10 due to the seamless transition and button assignment on the PS2.

The graphics are superb. I'm a big fan of hip hop and I was very surprised to see some of the lesser known characters like Joe Buddens and WC. The graphics haven't shown any flaws when doing the most graphic of moves even when there are 4 people on the screen.I give the graphics a 9.

I actually love the story mode for the fight between girls. Unlocking their photos was a nice mini task. In reality however, this game doesn't offer as much dept as a Smackdown but there is some there. The girls pictures have to be unlocked in story mode(at least 50% of them)and that means you have to play through it at least 4 times with different characters alternating what path you choose.I've been playing survival mode and I haven't gotten to the point where I have been beaten, I've just been quitting. I think it goes up to 100+ fights though. Multiplayer action is very intense for when you have friends over.I would give gameplay overall a 9.

The soundtrack is worth 20 dollars alone. 19 hits from Hip Hop's best and greatest. I've found myself turning on the game then walking away, then coming back and just listenin to the music at the menu screen. They also offer in-game instrumentals while fighting which is way better then Smackdown's elevator rock music, if you guys remember parts one through five. The soundtrack gets a 9 1/2.

This game isn't perfect. I'm not gonna name that one big flaw that makes it a 9 instead of a 10 only because there is none. The game is a must buy however if you are a either a fan of wrestling or hip hop. EA did it way Big on this one and it is worth every penny of that 54 dollar bill. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did.Oh yeah and by the way, where's LL Cool J?

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/06/03, Updated 04/06/03