Game Info
GAME NAME: Dead or Alive Dimensions
DEVELOPER(S): Team Ninja
PUBLISHER(S): Tecmo Koei
PLATFORM(S): Nintendo 3DS
GENRE(S): Fighting
RELEASE DATE(S): May 24th, 2011
The Dead or Alive series started out as an arcade game in 1996. Since then the genre defining game has had 3 sequels that have been on many different consoles. There was even a beach volleyball spin-off for the Xbox. The series has been known for its great 3D-fighting gameplay and having a little “bounce” in its step. With Dead or Alive: Dimensions being released on the Nintendo 3DS, this marks the first time that the series has been on a Nintendo console. Over thirty characters are available to fight with right out of the box.
The main story mode in Dead or Alive: Dimensions is called the Chronicle Mode. It covers all of the games but has a main focus on the third and fourth game in the series. In this mode, you play as various different characters through five chapters and even get a cool cameo from a Nintendo character from a game that Team Ninja recently helped work on. The cheesy cut scenes in between bouts switch from beautiful CG to in-game graphics and to still frames, which makes the story have a weird feel to it. Team Ninja should have stuck with one style and ran with it. One of the best features of the Chronicle mode is that it serves as a tutorial. It helps players learn how to reverse, combo and block which will help later when you want to jump online.
Other single player modes included in Dimensions are Arcade, Survival, Free Play, Training, Showcase and 3D Photo Album. In Arcade mode, players fight to earn additional time to continue playing. Survival Mode features groups of fighters that you have to beat without losing all of your health. Free Play and Training are exactly how they sound. The Showcase Mode allows players to pose figurines that they have earned and take 3D photos of them, which can then be viewed in the 3D photo album.
The online mode in the game is very user friendly and runs extremely smooth. It took only seconds to find a match and I experienced no lag. Tecmo Koei and Team Ninja make excellent use of the 3DS’s capabilities. Using SpotPass, new costumes and Throw-down Challenges can be downloaded. Throw-down Challenges are against a computer opponent and beating them gets you some unlockable content. Using the StreetPass feature, the game makes an AI representation of how it studies your patterns of play to fight against other gamer’s AI representatives.
The controls feel very tight, but the game itself sometimes feels like a button masher. Combos are listed on the touchscreen and the touchscreen can also be used as a quick move button, similar to other Nintendo DS and 3DS fighters. Dead or Alive: Dimensions’ graphics run at a smooth sixty frames a second in 2D and thirty frames a second in 3D. In either mode it is gorgeous but has a more polished feel in 2D. The music during the bouts is fitting for the game and never seems to get too repetitive. The voice acting on the cut scenes are cheesy but passable.
The Nintendo 3DS is quickly becoming the system of choice for fighting fans. Capcom’s Street Fighter IV port was excellent and Tecmo Koei has matched them punch for punch with the release of Dead or Alive: Dimensions. If you are a fighting fan or fan of the series do not miss out on this game. While not perfect, it will satisfy your online cravings and fighting hungers and it is a perfect complement to owners of SFIV: 3D.
