"Is This Game Beauty Over Brains"

This is the reason I even thought of buying an XBOX. Maybe I'm just stupid because I already owned DOA Hardcore and before that DOA 2 for the Dreamcast. This isn't counting DOA 1 for the PS1. Maybe Tecmo should just hire me just on loyalty alone to this game. I guess I'm hooked. But reading many of the decenting views I can't wholeheartedly disagree. But also also think those people just don't get the point either.

GAMEPLAY:
I'm not starting with what everybody starts with when they talk about this game (Graphics). DOA3 could be called a button masher. Yes, it's true. It is very easy to punch when you want to punch. To grab when you want to grab. To kick when you want to kick. I don't think in real life these things would take a lot of intricate brain power to pull off either. You just do them. I've aways found it a little frustrating and artificial to hide moves behind very intricate move structures, or heavy memorization. Many times the intricate moves are rendered useless by the easier, quicker, simpler moves anyways, or you get poped up in the air and never touch the ground again till it's all over. These things have their place in many wonderful games like Tekken. But many times Tekken is no less a button masher, or unevenly porportioned (Paul Phoenix, Eddy Gordo) than this. I just love the reversal defence in this game because it keeps the button mashing in check. If you read your opponent you can reverse them till they're red in the face. Ahhhh a real defence. No hard core, months of studying will ever keep you from one reversal away from near defeat. Dead or Alive is a running battle. For the most part each battle just feels more honest and direct. It's refreshing that the rounds don't end by someone hitting you with a big glowing punch. There's enough health for matches to ripen into interesting things. Face an opponent with next to nothing for health, you still better keep on your toes...it's not over yet.

The truth about this game, even though I love it, is that it is not a really good one player game. But I don't think any fighting game really can shine as a one player game. Soul Calibur was an exception to this. But even that became ten time the game it was playing head to head. This is one of the best head to head fighting games you can play.

GRAPHICS:
This has been a real beauty on every system. But on the XBOX we've entered a new epoch. This game has never looked smoother. It has never had so many wonderful little textures & details. Hair moves, stages have tons of silky smooth motion, like the Auarium stage. Some say it looks just like the PS2 version (which I also own)...well I guess they must think they're working for Sony. Yes DOA Hardcore had more costumes. But it had a few anti alising problems too. Although I sorely miss Tina's Cat suite, and Lei Fangs low cut vampire nighty...I'm so happy with the way this thing looks.

SOME DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DOA2 and DOA3:

* Costumes are very limited. Many characters have only two. Some get three.

* Some of the sexier victory poses have been toned down. In DOA2 sometimes I was affraid to let Tina win because I thought my friends would drop their drinks.

* Some moves have been siplified. Lei Fang three rotation leg sweep can now be done by just holding back and hitting kick three times. Use to be back on first kick and down for the next two. Also in tag team, when you call in your help they come in with a ready made attack, in DOA 2 they just came in.

* All new stages. Well the tag team stages still have some repeats. But the iron stage looks a lot cooler with that search light.

* New characters. I love all the new additions. Just wish their were more than only three. But each has a very interesting style. Brad Wong does come dangerously close to what destroyed Tekken for me ( Eddie Cordo ), because he is the most button mashing friendly. But he's just so facinating to watch. Christie and Hitomi just ad more to make this the sexiest fighter you'll ever see.

FINAL WORD:
In my heart this is still a ten. But the complaints about this game also have some validity. This is a DOA2 with better graphics....really better graphics. If you never liked DOA you won't like this one. If you think liking this is a slap in Tekkens, Virtual Fighters face...then don't bother. Don't you have better things to do, like play those games anyways. But Tecmo better have something new up its sleeve if there's another DOA. They've done a good job of playing the same hand over three systems, but its time to ad some mini games (beach volleyball anyone), more characters, other interesting graphic nuances ( tear away clothing anyone), maybe even a way to counter the reversals. But most importantly they need to quiet their critics with a better one player gameing experience.

Well I've said enough...it's time to see if I can convince my wife to dye her hair purple.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/07/02, Updated 02/07/02