Reviewed
11.19.2001
Publisher
Tecmo
Developer
Team
Ninja
Format
1x
DVD
Origin
Import/Domestic
Available
Q1,
2002 (Japan)
Nov.
14, 2001 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
3rd
Person
Genre
Fighter
Player(s)
1~4
Options
Arcade
Stick
Backup
Requires
n/a
Importable
99% |
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Intro
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> Ever since the first Dead
or Alive for Saturn, I've been a believer in Tecmo's ability to produce
upper echelon games. When they released Dead
or Alive 2 in America first and exclusively for Dreamcast, Tecmo really
scored points with me. Now, it seems that companies are gracing Microsoft's
Xbox with their elite games, as it supposedly has the most power in the
current console market. Tecmo has DOA3 now, while Sega has Panzer
Dragoon and Shenmue II on the way... |
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Graphics
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> First off, I'd like to say the pictures below can't possibly reveal the
true beauty of this game in motion. Everything about this game has
been improved (visually) over DOA2. Here are my thoughts on the major
areas of interest.
> Each character has the most life-like animation I've seen to date in
a fighter, or any other game for that matter. Yes, they even surpass
DOA2. The action isn't slow either, and the frame rate is rock-solid.
The only time things slow down (with dramatic results) is when some one
hits a "danger zone", which spawns a huge explosion and slight blurring
effect! Check out the DOA
Animation section for more.
> The locales are simply amazing! For instance, I love the beach
at sunset with the palm trees gently waving and the sea gulls hovering
around quite naturally. As in DOA2, you can knock your opponent through
certain barriers, or over edges to cause extra damage and reveal new areas
of the level. There's nothing like knocking some one through a huge
window and watching him/her hit neon signs on the way down to a rain soaked
street!!
> What about the babes? I didn't forget -- I merely saved the best
for last. Kasumi is still my favorite babe, although Christie (new)
and Ayane are very hot. Heck, they're all gorgeous!! Anyway,
as compared to DOA1, the series has evolved with less emphasis on bouncing
boobs *frowns*. The action is fast, but you can still see that mother
nature has blessed these women *smiles*. I think you'll really enjoy
Helena's ending movie, as it's quite interesting... |
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Control
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> Simply mint -- as I expected. Now, a true six-button layout controller
would help a lot, but the standard pad is sufficient. Probably the
most difficult thing to pull off consistently is forward running during
the last battle. Other than that, if you've played DOA2, then you
should be able to waltz right into this game without a hitch. If
you haven't, don't worry, because the learning curve on this game moves
just as fast as the characters.
> Each character has a unique fighting style, power, and speed. Basically,
you can jump, run, punch, kick, block, and throw. Different button/pad
combinations produce a plethora of individual moves! Throw in combinations,
critical hits, and reversals for a solid control scheme. |
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Sound
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> For the most part, DOA3's music is good to great. It features original
music by Aerosmith (Amazing, Nine Lives, and Home Tonight), plus more songs
that mirror much of what DOA2 had to offer. The sound effects haven't
really changed much, but they're as clear and deep as ever. Top that
off with realistic environmental effects and you have a great sounding
fighter! |
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Fun
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> First, the game offers a ton of different things to tweak, like difficulty,
sound, language, and controller settings. Choose from Story, Time
Attack, Versus, Survival, Tag Battle, Team Battle, Sparring, and Watch
Modes!! Lastly, select one of 16 fighters -- 7 female and 9 male.
The new fighters are: Hitomi (German/female/Karate), Brad Wong (Chinese/male/Zui
Ba Xian Quan), Christie (English/female/She Quan), and Hayate (Japanese/male/Mugen
Tenshin Style, Ninjutsu Tenjin Mon).
> The
most fun will be had with four people, of course. The computer, however,
puts up a decent fight and doesn't allow you to just punch your way to
victory. There are various things to unlock as well, such as the
Movie Mode, which is accomplished by finishing the game with each character.
Overall, there's plenty to keep you busy and interested. |
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