Brawls, and bouncing breasts! (Dead or Alive 2 (DC))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Dead or Alive 2 (DC)
Date:	03/09/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great visuals, lots of little nuances

Disadvantages: Characters not as unique

The Dreamcast was a very fortunate console when it came to beat em ups - it managed to get a lot of the most revolutionary fighting games of the 2000s and late 90s, including Dead or Alive 2, a visually impressive fighting game that introduced many revolutionary elements to the fighting series, perhaps most notably the idea of destructible environments, giving the genre greater depth, and allowing the player a world more freedom.

As fantastic as the ability to fight over waterfalls, and throw your opponent through walls is, it would be a mistake to not mention what is probably the most notorious element of the game - the fact that Tecmo devoted an entire physics engine to the breasts of the game's female characters. I must admit to the physics being rather distracting during gameplay, and whilst a little silly, it is nevertheless quite a funny addition that has been undertaken in later games such as the Soulcalibur sequels (Taki's breasts are RIDICULOUS).

The premise is very simple - a number of fighters, thought to be the very best in the world, converge on an island for the whims of a rich man, fighting to the death to see who the best fighter is. Whilst the plot is among the most rudimentary that even the narratively impoverished fighting genre has seen, the game makes up for this with numerous other revolutionary nuances and facets - not only can much of the scenery be destroyed, but players can slip on water, and players can deal more damage against their opponent if they hit them into walls and other structures.

The sheer level of detail is astounding - from articles of clothing blowing in the wind, to the sheer level of clothes for each fighter themselves - it is all mightily impressive. A lot of care has gone into the game - admittedly more in some areas than others (particularly as it pertains to the breasts department), but this is among the better fighting games of its generation, and although the characters aren't as beloved as those from Tekken, Soulcalibur or Street Fighter, they still have their own very distinct identity.

Summary: A great fighting game