Def Jam Vendetta

"A surprisily fun and addictive game"

INTRO: When I first heard about this game I was not interested in it, because I am not a fan of rap or WWE wrestling style games. But my friend rented it and I played through the game with him and was pleasently surprised to find that it is actually is a really fun game. I thought that it was going to be just a hyped up wrestling esque game. But it turned out to be solid fighting game with great presetation.
GRAPHICS: The Graphics for this game are its strongest point. The game features well detailed character models and a variety of settings. All of the character models are well done and have their own look. Giving the game a fresh feel. The cut-scenes are also well presented, showing realistic character expressions. There is no slowdown in the game despite having various things going on in the background. Among those is the 3-D crowd which helps make the matches more excitng. The overall look of the game is very well done.
Score-9
SOUND: Sound is another strong point for this game. All the sound effects are great and well-cut. Plus there is a good collection of songs from many of the Def Jam Records artists. Even if your not a rap fan (like me) you will still enjoy the feel of the game. The sound overall is just another well placed aspect to add to the feel of the game.
Score-8
CONTROLS: The controls are set up so that as you play through the game you will see your skills improving. This results in responsive fast-paced action that becomes addicting and steers away from frustration. With a variety of moves of submissions and stikes Vendetta keeps the action fresh throuout most of the game. Vendetta is also button smashing friendly for those less inclined to master the system.
Score-8
STORY: In most fighting games there is very little if any storylines to them. Vendetta excels here. Although its not academy award winning original, it definitly helps set the tone for the game. It starts you out filling in for someone and of course you make a good impression and work your way to top. You eventually run into Def Jam artists, who are supposed your chance to go big time. The twist with the girlfriends is also a nice touch.
Score-8
GAMEPLAY: At first look who will think this is just a hyped up wrestling game with a good lincese. But it is much more of a fighting game than wrestling. There are 44 characters composed of Def Jam Records artists and other orignal characters. None of which are pro-wrestlers. The great thing about the game is the customizable stat system. You earn money from winning, to buy either stat/skill upgrades, or pinups of your girlfriends. You unlock diferent girlfriends by progressing through the game and winning cat-fights. Several times within the storylines your lady friends will get ticked off and duke out. Which are very entertaing in themselves. This concept of the game is fresh, and you will have to play through multiple times to get all of the pinups. The best part of the action though is the ablity wear down a specific part of your opponents body, giving the game a more strategic feel. There is also a stamina and life gauge to make pinning an opponet much more real and rewarding than most wrestling games. There is also the over the top finishing moves that are fun to watch. The finishing moves themselves are just that.. they finish off our oppenet. Unlike most Wrestling games once you get a finisher, you have pretty much won the match. They usually wont put up much of a fight when trying to pin them after you have performed one. Which means getting one is all that important, adding to the strategic feel.
Score-8
REPLAY VALUE: Although there is a nice multiplayer mode and reasons to play through the story mode multple times, it is kinda one trick pony. The sorylines for different characters are the same. And the storymode to begin with is rather short, it took my firend an I one night to beat. There is also a lack of one player modes. None of which offer anything new that didnt get out of the story mode. This is by far the weakest part of the game.It tries to be deceptivly in-depth but unless you just can't get enough of the gameplay there is not much to it.
Score-7
MY OPINION: In my opinion although I am not a fan of the subject matter it is still a fun game to play. Most everyone will at least enjoy one go-around with it. The gameplay mechanics are solid and the graphics are impressive, but its stil lacking a little variety.
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OVERALL: The overall score is determined by an average.
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TO RENT OR TO BUY: I think this is a game better rented first. Although there is some depth to this game you can completly conquer the one-player in a 7-day rental. Unless your extremly addicted to the 2-player mode you'll probably think so too.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 03/07/04