Def Jam: Fight for NY

"A fashion sim with fisticuffs"

On his way to the slammer after his big arrest, the police car transporting the notorious gangster D-Mob is run off the road by an SUV. In the chaos, D-Mob makes his escape thanks to the mysterious driver of the other car...YOU. This is the world of Def Jam, where rival gangs of street fighters vie for control of clubs and more. As D-Mob's right hand man, you must defend your boss' honor from the wily Crow and his gang of dirty fighting roughnecks.

Game play (8/10)- Butt kicking, pure and simple. There's no jumping ten feet in the air, fireballs or aerial combos. Your goal as always is to pummel the snot out of the other guy, but you can't knock him out with a regular attack. No, it has to be something hard and brutal...

You start off with one fighting style but you can learn two more as you go along. Points awarded after battle can be spent at the gym to pump up your stats or learn new styles and special moves called blazes. Each blaze is unique to each fighter, and each one you defeat gives you a new blaze to choose from. For example, Ice-T has a blaze that allows you to knock a guy to the ground then run and kick him in the head while he's down. After you defeat Ice-T in battle, you can go to the gym, buy it and use it yourself.

Money won after battle can be spent on your fighter's image. It's not enough to be tough. You have to look tough. There is a clothing store, jewelry store, tattoo parlor and barber shop. If your character doesn't look much like you at first, don't worry, he will. New clothes, jewelry, tats and haircuts/facial hair patterns are unlocked as you play.

Story (6/10)- There are a few cut scenes here and there but the story is told mostly through email texts and voice messages from other characters. You can choose a girlfriend at the beginning of the game but it doesn't really affect the story. Other than that, it's just a struggle until the very final and unforgettable battle.

Music/Sound (8/10)- The music is pretty good, but nothing that gets you really pumped for battle. While there are many prominent figures in hip-hop represented in this game, a few legends seem to be neglected and it hurts the overall mix. The voices are great and it's great to see the actual celebrities are breathing life into their virtual counterparts.

Graphics (7/10)- The realism of the fighters aside, the game is hurt by blocky audience members and a lack of visual effects such as motion blur. The levels could have used more variety, such as the multileveled stages of DOA 2. Almost all the stages are exactly the same size and shape with only superficial changes (there's the warehouse club, the Jamaican club and the Asian club...etc).

In conclusion, this is a short yet sweet experience. This game is as serious or silly as you want it to be. Your character can be a poser like Ali G or the greatest since Mohammed Ali, it's up to you. Peace out.

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