Def Jam: Fight for NY

"The next step for the gimmicky fighter"

Def Jam FFNY is the sequel to last year's critically acclaimed predecessor Def Jam Vendetta. Def Jam really is a step up for the series, and can stand its own as a great fighting game to boot. While the whole outline of this thing is sort of gimmicky, players will find an enjoyable experience with this game.

GRAPHICS->8/10
The characters in this game all look like their real-life counterparts. They've got people like Busta Rhymes, Method Man and Snoop Dogg. Also, with females like Carmen Electra and Lil' Kim in the game, looking real is a good thing. During the fight, whatever blows your guy takes adds up and at the end of the fight if your guy was beaten up badly, it shows. The environments also look really cool, but they all actually look really similar. There isn't enough variety in the arenas. The menu screens look good too. The cutscenes are also pretty cool as the wrestler you create for story (more later on that) is actually in them!

SOUND->10/10
You can hear all of the sound effects in this game clearly and they sound painful. Your created guy can also have his own voice you pick out! Every rapper that lends his face and character also lended his voice, too. Or her voice, sorry. The rappers providing their voices really adds a lot to the realism of this game. The music during fights and menu screens is all rap music (from Def Jam of course) and even if you don't like rap music, it sets the tone perfectly. There is swearing too.

REPLAYABILITY->9/10
There is multiplayer in every type of match but story mode. Due to the large amount of ways to make your character in story mode, you could go through it many times with many different characters you create. Add that the game is fun and you've got a pretty cool game to last for a while.

MULTIPLAYER->8/10
Most fighting games nowadays are going online, and its a real disappointment to see Def Jam FFNY missing the boat. It's still fun, but it's a shame there's no online play.

GAMEPLAY->9/10
Here's where the game really delivers. This game offers a variety of match types to choose from, including Inferno (fight in ring of fire), Subway (throw opponent into subway train to win), Demolition (win by busting up opponents car with him), and Window (throw opponent out window). There are also standard cage, single, tag team, and free-for-all matches as well. The real treat is story mode. You first create your own character, and while it is limited compared to, let's say, WWE Smackdown VS. Raw, it's still pretty cool. Then, during story mode, you can upgrade your characters' stats, buy him new clothes, tattoos, haircuts, and jewelry. Then you basically go around fighting people. That's not really revolutionary, but the actual story you're set in is really really good. You basically are a thug working for the bad guy from the last game, D-Mob from Def Jam Vendetta, and you bust him loose from the cops. You then learn some guy named Crow (Snoop Dogg) has taken over D-Mob's territory. You just fight to win back the underground fight circuit for D-Mob, which can get repetitive, but you'll be having too much fun to care. It goes into a lot more detail, but I can't spoil anything so moving on. The controls are easy enough to pick up and play, but the A.I. isn't easy, even on easiest setting. This provides a constant refreshing challenge in every match. There are some pretty long load times, especially for the PS2. But the thing it all comes down to is; the fact you can beat up Snoop Dogg is just plain FUN!!!!!!

OVERALL->9/10
This game stands out as one of the best fighting games this year. While without online play, which is the real disappointment about this game, you can still have lots of fun playing this game for many many years.

+Great graphics
+Great sound
+Great storyline
+Easy controls to understand
+Fun to beat up Snoop
+Got all rappers voices and appearances
-Somewhat limited create character
-Tough A.I.
-Repetitive action
-Long load times
-NO ONLINE PLAY!!!!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/06/05