Def Jam: Fight for NY

"Welcome to the Terrordome."

Like many people, I was kinda reluctant to try out Def Jam Vendetta. While Def Jam has made many an entertainment product over the years. Some of them come very cheaply and barely get much of my liking (still trying to get the taste of I Got the Hook Up out of my mouth.) So a fighting game starting their best rappers of today didn't sound like nothing more then an cash in. But like any optimist, I gave it a shot and what do ya know? It wasn't half bad, the fact that the Aki system seen in the Smackdown series was used in it was a huge plus. However, the game lacked that extra “umph” (as well as actual extras) to really mess with the heavy hitters when it came to fighters. But thankfully Vendetta sold well enough to prompt EA into creating a sequel. A sequel that would definelty put the Def Jam over the top. Hope your ready, cause were taking the battle to New York!

Skinny: Taking place immediately after Vendetta, FFNY begins with that game's villain, D-Mob, being carted off to the pokey. Just when it seems curtains for the mob boss, a Hummer careens out of the darkness and blindsides the cop car. While the cops are reeling from the impact in the overturned vehicle, someone rushes up, snatches D-Mob away and peels off without delay. Unfortunately one of the cops saw the hit-and-runner, and through a very creative sketch system, describes the soon to be hero that is of course, you. After which we go to the current situation where a new mob boss named Crow (Snoop Dogg in his second stint as a bad guy, the movie “Bones” being his first) is starting to gain a foothold on D-Mob's territory and thus a gang war escalates with you caught in the middle. While nothing more then an urban action flick, the story has some nice twists here and there. Like the fact that the person you fought against in the first game is now the person your working for, very ironic touch.

Play Dials: Pretty simplistic, a punch, kick, grapple and run buttons. With the back buttons working as taunts and block and movement controlled by either the left stick or the d-pad with the right stick acting as your “Blaze” activation when the time comes. Sounds like an easy pick up and play right? Well what till you get to the real fighting.

Core: The saying “Ask and you shall receive” comes to mind here, as EA actually listen to comments and added a boatload of extras. Firstly is the aforementioned create a wrestler system in the form of the sketch description. Not only is it much more refined but well, just plain cool when you see a fighter that you created actually being shown and even speaking through the cut scenes. After that is the fighter system which also has been given a face lift, no more are you reduced to just wrestling and grappling. But now you have a choice of four other fighting styles: kickboxing, street fighting, martial arts, and submissions giving the game much more variety and replay value. The fighting itself however is the real showstopper here though. As in the first game, fighters don't go down easy and will come at you with everything but the kitchen sink leading to some very brutal matches which will have you on your toes and using every ounce of your brainpower and gaming skills to stay ahead of your opponent. The fact that some of the interactive areas can be use by or against you also keeps up the tension. A few of the fighters control somewhat slow due to their realism and the grappling can be a little unfair since some of the opponents can recover on the fly not too mention the tricky countering maneuvers but with practice you'll be (pardon the pun) blazing through the game in no time. Speaking of which, you can also now buy opponent's finishing moves (in the story more) once you've downed them along with gaining more fighting skill and even touch up your image with jewelry, tattoos and clothing. While the image thing isn't truly necessary, there just that itch to make you fighter look as bada## as possible. Add to the fact the excellent multiplayer modes (both regular and special matches) that will have you and friends (if any) wailing on each other all day and you have one solid fighter. Just a shame theres no online play as this would really put this game over the top and give Mortal Kombat: Deception a run for its money, hopefully if third times the charm EA will take this into consideration.

Eye-Candy: I always knew that graffiti look would catch on someday and, boy does it shine in this game. The models of the rappers like very true to form with a little creative license (c'mon guys you don't look THAT buff). And their animations and expressions are nicely done save a few static areas here and there. The arenas themselves also don't look too shabby with colorful touches and lighting effects (love that Power Plant stage) and fully polygon crowds cheering you on and helping (or killing) you while fighting, definitely a step up from the usual cardboard people you see in most fighting game. Last but least is that blazing mores which are a heck of a lot more brutal this time around, some are simple, some are silly, some are just painful to look but all in all there outstanding feats of over top violence. Rock on EA!

Noise: If your not a fan of or at least partial to rap music there little chance you'll enjoy this game as it filled to the brim with old and new school beats of the hip hop library. Some of them like Redman's “Let's get dirty” really do a good job of setting the mood of the fights. Sound wise, the rappers do an excellent job here with their lowbrow and sometime clichés intro and outros never really missing a beat. Still it fits with the game personality and does a good job of portraying these Fight Club-ish groups of warriors.

Final Call: What can I say, once again EA has me opening my mouth and inserting my foot. DJFFNY is one of the most solid fighters of 2004. Its just a shame some will turn there noses at it just because its rap influence, but that's their loss. Those that don't discriminate and looking for a challenge in the fighter field welcome to the arena. Cause DJFFNY is literally going to be dropping the beats on your head. Peace out, sizznits!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/25/04