Def Jam: Fight for NY

"Scrappin' up in NYC - Fo' Sheezy"

DMob and his crew are looking for new muscle to help them gain control over the hand-to-hand fight clubs across the island of New York. Far from a simple task. It seems that Crow (Voiced by and designed after Snoop Dogg) and his crew of warriors will stop at nothing to hold sway over the violence hot-spots in the city. Its up to you to create, train, clothe and generally trick out your character from the Timberlands up.

This game is incredible. Fast, fun and envigorating its a breath of fresh air in the stagnant world of post-MK fighters. Though the controls are not difficult (Punch, Kick, Grab, Run, Block and Power Attack) the game requires unquestionable and seamless timing. If you want to throw that haymaker, you'd best have the room and the time to do it and pray you catch your opponent unawares. This is no button masher, people. The simple controls leave little room for such things and the speed and general violence of the game make it increasingly difficult to just crunch buttons and directions to put the throwdown on an enemy.

The AI is infuriating at times, repetative attacks will be blocked with near-certainty. Your opponent may or may not decide that the time has come to taunt you while you stand dazed and unstable on your feet. He may, on the other hand, figure its time to smash your face against the wall a few times. Complete with six different fighting styles from Streetfighter to Submissions it will be up to you to improve your characters skills by either stacking different styles on top of eachother for maximum efficiency or upping your power, speed and defense levels.

Complete with a cast of memorable buzz-people from the hip-hop world (Ludacris, Method Man, Fat Joe, Shawnna, even Flava-Flav) and gut wrenching "Blazin" moves your character will execute (or have executed upon him) some of the most entertaining attacks since Mortal combat. This is a game to be played with like-minded friends as the taunts fly and general "oooohhhhhh"'s will abound while fighters are broken, bashed, beaten and busted to $hyt.

The game's failings lie in the lack of choices of fighting styles, repetative moves and soundtrack alike and the sometimes rediculously difficult matches in which many a controller have been smashed to the floor with a venemous explative. Otherwise this is one for the books and replay value is at the top of the charts.

You best step up, lest you be knocked down foo'. So sayeth the great sage Ludacris, so it be true.
Enjoy!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/09/05