Summary The "bouncy" girls of the franchise return to the critically acclaimed Dead or Alive fighting series with the third entry, only available on the Xbox.

Description Returning with its signature fast-paced fighting, and bouncy-breasted girls, Dead or Alive returns to the action with its third entry, available only on Microsoft's Xbox. Gameplay: Despite how great this game looks, the gameplay is where it truly takes its form. Like Mortal Kombat's signature brutality, and Soul Calibur's weapons and juggles, the Dead or Alive series has one particular element that makes it stand out from the other fighting games of its time, the ability to counter any attack the enemy throws your way. Whether the foe uses a high kick, mid-kick or low punch, it is possible to reverse any attack and do some critical damage to your opponent. To counter, all you have to do is press away in the opposite direction on the d-pad (away for mid attacks, diagonally down/away for low attacks, and diagonally up/away for high attacks) and the block button (X) the second the attack connects to counter it. Sure, this may sound easy, but it is surprisingly difficult to predict the field (high, low ect.) the move will be coming from in certain circumstances. While this is a necessary task to master, you can't forget to master standard moves as well. You have to mix things up. You can't go into combat simply throwing punches at a mid level, or the enemy will see it coming and counter almost every attack. In addition to counters and regular attacks, the environment can be used to your advantage. For instance, in some levels, if you send your opponent into a wall with enough force, it will give way and your foe will plunge to another section of the level, causing some serious damage to them. It is so very satisfying to watch a character fall 50 feet and slam onto a stone panel. In closing, you will have to master the art or unpredictability. Learning to fight smart is the key to your success. In addition to your standard Story Mode, DOA3 offers many other modes of gameplay where you can test your skills. Time Attack: In Time Attack, you will have to try to beat the game in the shortest time possible. Survival: Here, you will fight an endless wave of combatants and try to reach the highest score possible before you fall in battle. Tag Battle: In a Tag Battle, two characters join forces as a team as you fight your way through other teams of other combatants. In Tag Battle, any time during the fight, you can freely switch characters, sometimes with powerful tag-moves. Team Battle: Not to be confused with tag battles, in Team Battle, you devise a group of characters and fight against another team. In Team Battle, when your combatant falls, the next one on your list will enter the fray. Only when you lose one fighter can you use another. Remember, fighting smart hurts less than fighting stupid. Story: Story!? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Let's face it, every fighting game in exsitance (other than Killer Instinct (SNES)) has an incredibly lame storyline. Sure, Team Ninja attempted to throw in a quick background to each character, but a deep storyline isn't exactly what your there to play for. As far as I can tell, a group of large-breasted women and insanely muscular men are duking it out for no reason other than the thrill of cracking skulls, punching throats, and kicking groins. Graphics: To put it any other way wouldn't do it justice. The visuals of DOA3 are gorgeous. It is very, very hard to believe that this game was one of the first releases for the Xbox. Very few games of the last generation had visuals as lush and crisp as DOA3. The character models and environment textures are some of the best you will ever see (PS3 and 360 too). Sound: Unlike Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore (PS2) the voice talent was never translated into English, therefore, all spoken dialog is in Japanese. Not that you'd care anyway, during a fight, the music is all you will be focusing on audio-wise. Also, unlike DOA2, the musical score tends to disappoint. Sure, all the characters have their own theme, but they're nowhere as catchy as some from 2. One thing I don't get though, is why Team Ninja decided to use classic Aerosmith songs as they're theme. I won't ever get that. You'd think, if any song would be used, the obvious choice would've been the Bon Jovi song "Wanted Dead or Alive." Overall, I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed with the the sound effects and music provided in DOA3. In closing, for those of you whom I've convinced to purchase this game, go gather the quarters, nickels and dimes from beneath your sofa cushions and use them to buy one of the best fighting games of the last gen consoles. While it has minor flaws, for only five dollars, I can't see the down side of buying DOA3. Review Page Hits: 2 today (15 in the last 30 days) Create Your Own Review or