Game Review: ‘Dead or Alive 5: Last Round’ titillates with new characters, less clothing

It’s hard to look at fighting game franchise “Dead or Alive” and not think “gratuitous fan service of the sexually titillating kind.” It is, after all, home to a bevy of busty female brawlers – not to mention it’s been pushing the boundaries of breast animation technology for over a decade. Talk to any fan who’s played 2012’s “Dead or Alive 5,” however, and you’ll be regaled with stories of a fast-paced, exciting fighter that, while easy to pick up, also features enough depth for those yearning for high-level play.

 

It’s a fighting game tradition that a single successful title should spawn several reiterations, and in this sense developer Team Ninja’s latest numbered entry in the series is no different. “Last Round” is in fact the game’s third updated version, and as such it aims to be the definitive “Dead or Alive 5” experience.

 

 

Rocks, paper, scissors - with more explosions and cleavage

 

“Last Round” is essentially the same, addictive fighter that its original incarnation was when it was released. The core fighting mechanic employs the Triangle System, which functions like “rock-paper-scissors.” All you have to remember is that strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, and holds beat strikes. When you perform an attack that defeats another, it becomes a Hi Counter that deals more damage to your foe.

 

This system, in addition to simple controls, makes “Last Round” more newbie-friendly than more technical fighters such as “Guilty Gear Xrd –SIGN–” and “Ultra Street Fighter IV.” And indeed, when dueling with other rookies or the A.I. on lower difficulty levels, expect considerable success as a crude button-mashing machine. But to survive serious matches, you’ll need to cultivate a more intimate understanding of your character’s skill set, as well as learn how to read, bait, and outwit your opponent. Every match therefore has the potential to be as mentally grueling as it is challenging, finger acrobatics-wise.

 

A majority of “Dead or Alive’s ” combatants have fluid, distinctive fighting styles, adding a layer of unpredictability to an already robust fighting game. Which is why it’s a shame several of “Last Round’s ” newcomers are either dull or lazy clones of established characters. The best example of the latter? Phase-4, who’s literally a clone of main protagonist Kasumi. And then you’ve got ho-hum schoolgirl Honoka, a veritable salad of borrowed maneuvers.

 

Honoka joins Raidou as “Last Round’s ” two new warriors. The title also carries over additions from past updates, such as Momiji, Marie Rose, and “Virtua Fighter” guest star Jacky Bryant. This brings the total character count to 34.

 

 

Environmental hazards

 

“Dead or Alive” has always set itself apart from other fighters with its interactive, multi-tiered battle arenas. By landing a mighty Power Blow on your opponent and knocking them into the stage’s Danger Zone, said opponent can then be hurled off a skyscraper or even thrown in the path of a speeding locomotive. There are plenty of walls to smash through and things that go boom in the background. It’s spectacular and ridiculously over-the-top, lending the game the cinematic flair of the summer action blockbuster.

 

The two new stages are throwbacks – including Kasumi’s stage from the original “Dead or Alive”, and “Crimson” from “Dead or Alive 2.”

 

Current generation looks

 

As the series’ first foray into current generation consoles, “Last Round’s ” PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions boast enhanced visuals. It features 1080p resolution, and runs at 60 frames per second, making for more detailed CG models and smoother animation, respectively. Despite the upgrade, some backgrounds still have a sparse, dated look.

 

A lot of work has been put into making the women look as sexually appealing as possible. The mathematical equations governing the breast physics alone must be astounding. Every jiggle is believable(ish), especially on the more powerful consoles. Characters get dirty and even perspire, causing clothes to become semi-transparent.

 

It’s sexually exploitative, true. A number of the 33 new optional costumes are so revealing they would make a Tibetan monk question his life’s path. There’s nothing more awkward than fighting in a thong and high heels, but hey, at least we can’t fault the series for inconsistency.

 

There are loads of other ways to customize the appearance of your character, from equipping them with accessories to changing their hairstyles, so you can make them as badass or as sexually explicit as desired.

 

 

Killer bugs

 

All the modes you enjoyed in “Dead or Alive 5” return in “Last Round.” The Story mode is back, as silly and incomprehensible as ever. The online features are solid, giving you the ability to host tournaments or training sessions. Or you can just sit back and watch as others duke it out. Training mode is excellent, offering an impressive amount of data about every move at your disposal.

 

Unfortunately, “Last Round” contains a number of bugs, embedded in some of these modes, that can potentially wreak havoc on your saved progress. We can expect future patches to fix these issues, but for now it’s probably prudent to acquaint yourself with the documented glitches to save yourself a lot of heartache. That more effort was put into the technical considerations behind boob bounciness than in releasing a game in pristine working condition is telling of the developer’s priorities.

 

 

Still alive

 

“Dead or Alive 5: Last Round’s ” graphical upgrade is welcome – the special effects are flashier, the animations are more polished, and the characters themselves appear “softer” and more human. At the end of the day, though, these are superficial changes. The game-breaking bugs don’t help, and neither do shoddy new characters who look barely old enough to go to college, let alone wear bikinis so tiny they’d make a porn star blush. So unless you’re a purist, there’s little incentive to purchase this update if you already own the title’s previous iterations.

 

Still, “Dead or Alive 5” remains an easily accessible game that can attain a respectable degree of complexity depending on the skill level of the players. The core of “Last Round” is no different. So if you’re new to the series or fighting games in general, this is a title worthy of your time and money.— TJD, GMA News