STORY & GAMEPLAY
Dead or Alive Dimensions is the latest instalment of the Dead or Alive series arriving in full 3D on the Nintendo 3DS. This fighting series from Tecmo has gained a large following from Playstation and Xbox gamers alike over the past decade and features many of the characters from previous instalments.
The game is of course a full on fight fest as you would expect but has a number of exclusive additions for the Nintendo 3DS system and numerous playmodes to keep hungry fighters coming back for more. The impressive but rather easy Chronicle Mode ( Story Mode) is in full 3D and combines long cut scenes, stunning animation , cinematic sequences , training fight sequences and full on battles, quite an achivement ! The story which involves most of the characters is based around the DOATEC orgainisation, trying to work out which characters are allies and which are scheming against each other is rather amusing and to be honest a little confusing but it is still fun to watch the storyline play out in Chronicle Mode. In addition to Chronicle mode there are at least another half dozen play modes available which are key to this games playability and longetivity. Survival mode pits you against one foe after another until you can achieve true fighter status . Arcade mode is a battle against eight different oppenents in sequence which when completed unlocks further paths to enable you to battle the next set of eight characters.Tag challenge is an unlockable mode and enables you to team up with the computer and battle against more powerful opponents. Other modes include freeplay, training and showcase. The game also offers full internet options, Streepass, and Spotmass modes utilising some of the unique Nintendo 3DS features extremely well. Online battles are impressive ( assuming you have a fast stable internet connection ) and I encountered no real signs of lag or slowdown when battling players across the globe. Streetpass when enabled allows you to swap data with other 3DS users wirelessly , great if you can find people with their 3DS turned on in your neighbourhood.! Finally Spotpass mode will download new character costumes etc whilst your 3DS is in sleep mode, this has worked well so far because the game having just been released has downloaded lots of new costumes and bonuses.
The fights are intense , slick and great fun. Learning and performing moves is relatively simple but can become as complex as you like and the style of fighting is as ever more akin to the Tekken series than Streetfighter . This means you can step around your opponents in real 3D unlike Streetfighter IV which lacked this gameplay feature. Learning the different characters and moves is rewarding , enjoyable and not too taxing especially if you use some of the touchcreen controls available. The variety of gameplay modes , unlockable characters , costumes and other goodies certainly help the game, however the game doesnt offer the same amount of customisation that Streetfighter IV does which is a shame. The whole game has also been ever so slightly hampered by being set a little too easy even when playing at the hardest levels.
GRAPHICS, SOUND & 3D EFFECT
The graphics and animation are nothing short of superb, all the Dead or Alive characters are beutifully drawn and animated in full 3D. Backgrounds are rendered wonderfully and the game follows closely in Dead or Alive tradition by making these backgrounds fully interactive. You can smash your opponents through glass plate , kick them through fences , punch them off platforms, knock them down stairways or just pummell them into submission. Full 3D really is full 3D in this game with the developers really utilising the Nintendo 3DS hardware and creating probably the best graphics and 3D effects yet seen on the fledgling system. Sound effects , speech and music have also been implemented to a very high level, with excellent character voices, atmostpheric music and bone crunching sound effects. The presentation of the whole game really is superb and the cutscenes, Chronicle Mode and added bonuses really add to the game.
THE GOOD
Stunning character models, beautifully rendered and animated in full 3D.
Impressive, interactive backgrounds and levels which really add to the fighting experience.
Wealth of gameplay modes and some customisation.
Excellent music, great voice acting and brilliant spot effects.
Good internet options use of Spotpass and Streetpass modes
THE BAD
Not as customisable as many players would have liked.
A little too easy even set to hard mode.
VERDICT
Graphically stunning and a great fighting experience which is absorbing to play through. A wealth of options really add to the gameplay and replay value, however the difficulty level has been set just a little to low for most players. Despite this the overall gameplay and options have been very well thought out and this is definately one of the best Nintendo 3DS releases so far. Go out and buy it now!
OVERALL SCORE 8.5 / 10
Review and Pictures by Timothy Hughes
Images taken direct from Nintendo 3DS screens in 2D mode from actual gameplay.
The game is of course a full on fight fest as you would expect but has a number of exclusive additions for the Nintendo 3DS system and numerous playmodes to keep hungry fighters coming back for more. The impressive but rather easy Chronicle Mode ( Story Mode) is in full 3D and combines long cut scenes, stunning animation , cinematic sequences , training fight sequences and full on battles, quite an achivement ! The story which involves most of the characters is based around the DOATEC orgainisation, trying to work out which characters are allies and which are scheming against each other is rather amusing and to be honest a little confusing but it is still fun to watch the storyline play out in Chronicle Mode. In addition to Chronicle mode there are at least another half dozen play modes available which are key to this games playability and longetivity. Survival mode pits you against one foe after another until you can achieve true fighter status . Arcade mode is a battle against eight different oppenents in sequence which when completed unlocks further paths to enable you to battle the next set of eight characters.Tag challenge is an unlockable mode and enables you to team up with the computer and battle against more powerful opponents. Other modes include freeplay, training and showcase. The game also offers full internet options, Streepass, and Spotmass modes utilising some of the unique Nintendo 3DS features extremely well. Online battles are impressive ( assuming you have a fast stable internet connection ) and I encountered no real signs of lag or slowdown when battling players across the globe. Streetpass when enabled allows you to swap data with other 3DS users wirelessly , great if you can find people with their 3DS turned on in your neighbourhood.! Finally Spotpass mode will download new character costumes etc whilst your 3DS is in sleep mode, this has worked well so far because the game having just been released has downloaded lots of new costumes and bonuses.
The fights are intense , slick and great fun. Learning and performing moves is relatively simple but can become as complex as you like and the style of fighting is as ever more akin to the Tekken series than Streetfighter . This means you can step around your opponents in real 3D unlike Streetfighter IV which lacked this gameplay feature. Learning the different characters and moves is rewarding , enjoyable and not too taxing especially if you use some of the touchcreen controls available. The variety of gameplay modes , unlockable characters , costumes and other goodies certainly help the game, however the game doesnt offer the same amount of customisation that Streetfighter IV does which is a shame. The whole game has also been ever so slightly hampered by being set a little too easy even when playing at the hardest levels.
GRAPHICS, SOUND & 3D EFFECT
The graphics and animation are nothing short of superb, all the Dead or Alive characters are beutifully drawn and animated in full 3D. Backgrounds are rendered wonderfully and the game follows closely in Dead or Alive tradition by making these backgrounds fully interactive. You can smash your opponents through glass plate , kick them through fences , punch them off platforms, knock them down stairways or just pummell them into submission. Full 3D really is full 3D in this game with the developers really utilising the Nintendo 3DS hardware and creating probably the best graphics and 3D effects yet seen on the fledgling system. Sound effects , speech and music have also been implemented to a very high level, with excellent character voices, atmostpheric music and bone crunching sound effects. The presentation of the whole game really is superb and the cutscenes, Chronicle Mode and added bonuses really add to the game.
THE GOOD
Stunning character models, beautifully rendered and animated in full 3D.
Impressive, interactive backgrounds and levels which really add to the fighting experience.
Wealth of gameplay modes and some customisation.
Excellent music, great voice acting and brilliant spot effects.
Good internet options use of Spotpass and Streetpass modes
THE BAD
Not as customisable as many players would have liked.
A little too easy even set to hard mode.
VERDICT
Graphically stunning and a great fighting experience which is absorbing to play through. A wealth of options really add to the gameplay and replay value, however the difficulty level has been set just a little to low for most players. Despite this the overall gameplay and options have been very well thought out and this is definately one of the best Nintendo 3DS releases so far. Go out and buy it now!
OVERALL SCORE 8.5 / 10
Review and Pictures by Timothy Hughes
Images taken direct from Nintendo 3DS screens in 2D mode from actual gameplay.
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