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Not quite Soul Calibur, but very, very close

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 21 / 23
Date: March 23, 2000
Author: Amazon User

If you like fighting games at all, stop reading and buy this game (unless you don't have Soul Calibur, in which case, get that first). If not, read on.

If not for Soul Calibur, this would be the definitive fighting game on the Dreamcast. As it is, it comes in second to Soul Calibur, but they are very, very close.

Soul Calibur has a slightly better fighting system than Dead or Alive 2, but Dead or Alive 2's system is one of the best ever. The problem is that the counters play too large a part in the system, and battles can sometimes turn into a volley of counters.

As for the graphics, it is too close to call. I'd say that Soul Calibur and Dead or Alive 2 tie for the best graphics on the Dreamcast. The environments are absolutely stunning (especially the Opera House), and the players move very realistically. Of course, the cinemas are completely incredible (what is even more amazing is that they are rendered in realtime). The graphics even look good enough to be first-generation Playstation 2 games. Jaws will drop.

The main problem with Dead or Alive 2 is that it has a limited 1-player mode. In the past, fighting games had only Arcade (1-player) and Versus (2-player) modes. Then Soul Edge (and its sequel Soul Calibur) came along, added a Mission Battle mode, and spoiled us. Dead or Alive 2 has the traditional Arcade mode (called "story" mode in this) where you fight six opponents and then the boss, but after Soul Calibur, we have come to expect more from a fighting game when our friends cannot join in. In between some of the battles in Arcade mode, the aforementioned beautiful cinemas are displayed, serving to progress the story. Once you beat the boss, you are treated to a ending cinema, which, for all 12 characters, is shorter than the between-fight cinemas, has little to do with the story, and is somewhat disappointing after seeing the incredible cinemas. If only the endings were more like those of Tekken 3, or even like the between-fight cinemas, your hard work would be more rewarding.

Dead or Alive 2 also features a Versus mode, a Sparring (training) mode, a Time Attack mode, a fun Survival mode where you scramble to pick up items for extra points, a Team Battle similar to that of Soul Calibur, but amazingly has absolutely no load time, and the most extensive Option mode I've ever seen. The real meat of Dead or Alive 2, however, is the Tag Battle mode. In it, you have five options: Player (henceforth abbreviated P) 1 vs. Computer, P1 & P2 vs. Computer, P1 vs. P2, P1 & P3 vs. P2, and P1 & P3 vs. P2 & P4. Finally, a four player mode in a fighting game. Those of you who have played any of Capcom's Vs. series or Tekken Tag Tournament will know what to expect from this mode. For those who don't, you pick two characters and can switch between them in the middle of a fight, even to the extent that you can do tag-team moves or combos. The character who is not fighting slowly regains energy, so part of the strategy is knowing when to pull your fighter out for recuperation. To win in this mode, you must defeat both your opponent's fighters.

As if the Tag Battle wasn't cool enough, the best part of the game is the stages. They are multi-tiered and dangerous. In most stages (perhaps all, I'm not certain), there are "danger zones" in which you can knock your opponent for extra damage. For example, one stage is surrounded by an electric fence. Also, most (again, perhaps all)stages are multi-tiered, meaning that you start off one on level, and you can knock your opponent down to another level. For example, in the Opera House, you start off at the very top, in the balcony. On one side, there is a railing through which you can knock your opponent to send him or her flying down into the next level of seating. You guessed it, just like the danger zones, a fall to the next tier will cause extra damage to your opponent. This extra damage forces you to strategize about your position in the stage (i.e. you want to be away from the danger zones or any edges), and this feature is a welcome addition to the genre.

Overall, Dead or Alive 2 is an innovative and must-have Dreamcast game.

A superior fighting game! Worth the money!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 14 / 15
Date: July 07, 2000
Author: Amazon User

So the big question seems to be: Dead or Alive 2(DOA2) or Soul Caliber (SC)? I own both, and in all honesty, I find DOA2 to be the better of the two, despite having to shell out more money for it.

So what makes it better?

The graphics for one. SC was no slouch, but fabulous architecture does not make up for flat, geometrical fighting stages. DOA2 easily surpasses SC and earns many kudos for fabulous interior design, coupled with multi-tiered fighting stages (nothing like throwing someone through a cathedral window to the courtyard below, is there?). Also, the characters in DOA2 feel like characters moving through 3 dimensional space (their clothing moves with them) as opposed to wire frames with bitmapped skins. And their expressions match the task at hand, unlike Soul Caliber where the contestants look either constipated or happy to get beat up.

Two: the audio. Both SC and DOA2 have the original Japanese voice actors, but whereas SC makes a player cringe (horrible, horrible translation job), DOA2 makes it believeable. The voice acting is on the money. Whether a player likes the rock and roll BGM (with some asian and classical fusion) is a matter of preference, but it fits the overall feel of the came to a T.

Three: Lightening quick load times. The engine loads once before the fight and everything moves seamlessly from there.

Other noteworthy features:

Cut scenes which are a cut above. Visually, nothing compares. Some RPG fans might be screaming "you call that story development? " but they they get the job done - in style.

DOA2's hand to hand combat mode is pretty easy to pick up. You'll be flipping and kicking in under ten minutes (even my mother won a few rounds, and she NEVER plays video games). And the training mode is super friendly for those who want to master the aerial arsenal. Also, while the characters are each unique with their own moves, they're all pretty much evenly matched. There is no ONE super character. (It doesn't make much sense reality wise, but it makes for a great fighting game.)

Some people have complained that DOA2 lacks "secret" features, but I prefer having all the characters available as opposed to having to play countless rounds with characters I don't like to "unlock" my desired choice.

Of course, the game does have it's drawbacks: limited costumes, only 12 (or is it 14?)characters, way too many gratuitous panty shots (at least as far as this female gamer is concerned), lack of stage selection in survival and team battle modes, but the truth: you're not going to notice them. You'll be to happy with what IS available.

I'm glad I own both SC and DOA2, but if I could only keep one, it'd be DOA2.

Extras or no extras, get this game.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 10
Date: April 04, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Graphics: What's new to say here? Great graphics, loading times only before fights, 60fps, no slowdown, enough said. Graphics score: 10.0

Sound: The music doesn't catch your attention, but it's on par for a game like this. The sounds are top notch, and THANK YOU TECMO for not using cheesy US voice overs. Sound Score: 9.5

Gameplay: What matters most in a fighting game? Gameplay. And let me tell you, you will not be disappointed with DOA2. Some people say to only get this if your an experienced fighter, because the gameplay is hard to master. True, it is easy to pick up, but it takes a while to master, which just adds more replay value. Gameplay: 9.5

Replay Value/Extras: The Tag Battle is the best I've seen EVER, topping Tekken Tag and Marvel vs Capcom. Set the difficulty to very hard and set the CPU life gauge to max, and you'll be busy for a while. Sure there are no extras right now, but I've got a feeling that Tecmo is keeping some sort of secret. I could be wrong though.

Well, extras or no extras, I love this game, and I'm not even a guy who likes fighters that much (besides Street Fighter games). Once I got into the game, I didn't care that there were no extras to lock. Yes this game is that good. Replay Value Score: 9.0

Overall: Hopefully this review will make you consider buying DOA2, or at least renting it, which I think everyone should. Overall Score (not an average): 10.0

The Perfect Fighting Game?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 10
Date: January 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Plenty of moves and wonderful character graphics combine with detailed fighting grounds and full sound to make the perfect gaming experience. I was impressed with the vs. mode--think of Soul Caliber without weapons. And the plus is, you can throw people off cliffs and then FOLLOW THEM to continue the ___ whoopin'. I cracked up the first time I threw a character OFF A CLIFF and then JUMPED after him! The survival mode is a challenge, and there are plenty of other options for fighting play.

Ok, the best part: Breasts. By now, you've heard; the breasts on this game bounce. They bounce a lot. Quite fun to watch--my roommate and I got a kick out of it. But here's something new: the game has nudity. That's right, full nudity (of course, you have to unlock it, and it only shows in the game's demo, but it's still something interesting to watch).

But all the perverted stuff aside, this game really rocks just as a fighting game. The moves are fun, the action is fast, and the graphics are almost as good as those in Soul Caliber. An excellent waste of money.

My fighting-game dream come true!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 14
Date: March 18, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I've been playing games since before I could talk, and I have lived among games ever since. I have seen good and bad, seen revolutions, and hoped for the future. My picture of video game utopia has come one step closer, with Dead or Alive 2. Ever since I played video games, this was the ultimate outcome I wanted from the fighting game genre. This -IS- the best 3D fighting game available now, and in my opinion easily topples Tekken Tag, Virtua Fighter 3, Soul Calibur, Fighting Vipers, and other similar games from the elusive top.

On this GigaDisc are excellent character design, wonderful cinematography, incredible drama (for a fighter), superb music that enhances the whole experience, good voice acting, and simply the best background-visuals imaginable. You simply have to see the stages to believe it. All of this and it plays as well as the original, with all of the innovations and improvements you would expect from experts like Namco or Sega. Tecmo is the new king, for now. Hopefully they do their best to beat it, and hopefully the genre will improve further. Either way, this is a game that any gamer must have, to experience it and have a piece of history.

Dead or Alive 2

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 26
Date: January 25, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This game is great, the graphics are awesome.The characters are unique and the many levels are very detailed and are the best looking levels in any fighting game. This is a must buy.

Simply The Best

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 10 / 11
Date: December 30, 2000
Author: Amazon User

DOA2 is simply the greatest fighting game on the dreamcast. I was bought it for christmas and i thought that it would just be like all of the other fighting games about at the moment but it rises above the rest. The graphics are amazing, there is a good selection of characters, the arenas are well designed and the vs mode adds loads of life to the game. This is an essential purchase

Dead or Alive 2 is pretty impressive....

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: March 18, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Dead or Alive 2 beautifully showcases what the Dreamcast hardware is capable of. It is a magnificent, hard-hitting, hand-to-hand combat game. Each fighter has distinctive moves, and the fighting sequences rock with explosive, in-your-face action. The characters perform some nasty, wicked moves that any fighting fan will enjoy immensely, and the tag-team mode is a welcome addition for some wild and furious fun.

Dead or Alive 2 is very easy to play for gamers of all levels, and has good depth. The only thing that requires mastery is the counter move (when you can take an attacking opponent and pull a reversal on him). You need absolute precision and timing to pull this off, and when it happens, it happens very quickly. When you fight against the CPU, they counter quite a bit, and if you just stand there and block, they always will grab and throw you so you have to react quickly.

The graphics in this game are very nice, and the characters are huge and nicely-detailed. But the added advantage of this game is because of the babe factor. Quite simply, Dead or Alive 2 has the most attractive female characters of any game thus far. But beware all potential buyers: this game is not afraid to show a lot of panty shots. You'll find yourself amazed and shaking your head when you see the many revealing shots that come about during play! I find it really amusing and peverted how in one instance when you have a female character such as Kasumi under a vent and with a blast of air from underneath, up goes her skirt. These game designers really have the male audience in mind, that's for sure, which isn't a bad thing. The sex factor alone makes Dead or Alive 2 stand out, but luckily it has all the other right incredients to be a monster hit for Tecmo. Forget about Tekken Tag Tournament coming for PS2; get Dead or Alive 2 now for Dreamcast!

Superior Graphics and Gameplay

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: March 02, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This game is the definitive game for the Sega Dreamcast. This game truely shows the potential of the system, and surpasses all games in graphics and gameplay. It's incredible. The arena's are huge, the movement and camera angles are perfect, and the characters are interesting. This game is a must have for anyone, even if you don't like fighter games. I'd buy it just for the intro.

How could you not like this?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: April 03, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I've come to realize that many of you who have given this game a bad review just haven't played it enough. Yes I know that a complete lack of any secrets hurts the game in some respect, but what it really comes down to is the gameplay (which is almost on par with Soul Calibur). I'll be honest with you, at first I thought the game was incredibly boring, but I gave it some time, learned how to do reversals (very cool), and found the game to be a rewarding experience. The fighting engine is superb in its own right and the collision detection is spot-on. The other modes are great too (tag battle, team battle, sparring, etc..). Perhaps the coolest feature of the game are the multi-leveled arenas. While playing, I almost wanted to get kicked of the edge, but then I would lose, so I scratched that idea. The only weird part about the game is that the story mode does not make sense at all. Oh well maybe in DOA3. When it comes down to it, this game is mainly for multiple players, sure it's fun to play solo, but the real magic begins with others. A definite must-buy.

Pros- -Amazing player models and level graphics -Multi-leveled arenas -Superb fighting engine -extra modes

Cons- -Tag and team battle on one stage only. -No extras. -More characters would of been nice.

Overall- 10/10

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