Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball

"Yay! A japanese style relationship game with a sports backdrop!"

Well, unknown to most American gamers, in Japan there is a very interesting genre of games called ''Relationship Games''. Normally it involves wooing people to love/befriend you. The only game that ever succeeded in America with such a premise was Harvest Moon, so if you've played that game, you know where this game is headed.

Story: In Dead of Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball (DoAXBV), you find yourself on Zack Island, owned by the familiar Dennis Rodman-like figure from the previous three installments to the Dead or Alive series. But whets this? No DoA tournament?! Bleh, we might as well still around for half a month, and play volleyball with our friends and arch-nemeses! (I give no score to the story, as this is NOT a game you want to play if looking for a story.)

Gamplay 7/10: Whee! She wore an itsy bitsy, teeny tiny, purple polkadot bikini, that you just bought her for 270,000 Zack Dollars! This game mainly revolves around buying interesting items for you character to wear, such as Swimsuits, hats, sunglasses, and other interesting things you'd expect to see on a tropical island. But, to get some serious cash to buy the overpriced designer bikinis, you really need to play volleyball, which requires a partner. To get a partner, you must woo her over to your side with gifts that apply to her favorite color, hobby, or general likes. Then you approach her, and ask if she'd like to join, if she says yes then you can proceed to play some volleyball, if not, then you have to go find more gifts to shower upon her.

After this, you come to the real meat of this game, the volleyball. Though simple, it can be very addictive, in the same way as pong or breakout. Beating an opposing team gives you Zack dollars to spend as you see fit, and the more points you beat them by, the more money you receive. Unfortunately, Volleyball can be very frustrating at times. You have very limited control on your partner, who usually acts like she has the AI of a monster from a NES side-scroller. Most of the time, you'll be the one spiking the ball, even though you might want your partner too since she may be stronger. Another complaint is the camera, which can be a small issue as your character can get completely off-screen, preventing you from seeing how close/far she is from the net.

In addition to the volleyball, there are also a host of mini-games. The pool hopping game can be a fun, and profitable way to make money (Though quite a bit less than winning a volleyball match). It involves pressing the A button with different amounts of pressure to jump from pillow to pillow floating in a pool. You are pretty much guaranteed to win, as you can try as many times as you like without wasting any time until you win. At night, when you go back to the hotel, you have the option to try your luck at the casino. Standard games await there, blackjack, roulette, poker, and slot machines all themed to the girls of DoAXBV. They are entertaining for a time, though risking your money can either merit very little profit, or a very high risk, either way its more of a diversion than a way to make quick cash.

Graphics 10/10: I don't think I need to spend much time here. This is a DoA game, and as such its graphics are unmatched for its time. The girls and environments are CGI movie quality, even in gameplay. The various swimsuits all have their own unique, and all are pleasing to the eye. Animation is also top-notch, as is expected. An interesting thing to point out in the animation department takes place in the opening CGI where we see Tina dancing on stage, you can watch her abs actually flex and relax as she moves!

Replay 9/10: With all the items, and swimsuits you can buy in this game, it will keep you coming back for more! Each girl has her own set of swimsuits that only she can buy and receive as gifts, so playing through the game several times is fairly pleasing. Though, if you're not a fan of the actual volleyball game, everything else falls apart quick.

Overall 8/10: Anyone who enjoys Japanese style relationship games, such as Harvest Moon, or Season of Sakura, should enjoy this game. Though the volleyball can be a turn-off for some, it can be a new addiction for others. Don't come sniffing around this game looking for a serious simulation, or a good action game. It’s more like a party game, with motivation for actually playing it by yourself, and enjoying it.

I suggest renting, and then buying if you find yourself loving the volleyball game, and wanting to get serious about completing the collection of items. Anyway, they can all kick high.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/04/03, Updated 02/04/03