The ultimate bounce

Review

Played on: Xbox 360
Released: 2013

More is usually better, but I'm having a hard time to justify the endless stream of versions from popular Japanese fighters. In recent years, Tekken and Street Fighter have received so many instalments and upgrades, especially Street Fighter 4, that I've lost track.

Virtua Fighter and Dead or Alive haven't really opted for this scheme yet, but last years version of Dead or Alive has just been released in a new form. The Ultimate version. Is it the ultimate version though?

For a more detailed review of the original DoA5, check out my review here.




Firstly, DoA5 has, since it's release last year, seen numerous DLC add-on packs up for purchase. Mostly in form of costumes for the characters. Some of these, note some, have been added to the Ultimate disc. The rest you still have to purchase. 

Luckily, DLC purchases from the original DoA5 carry over to this version. As do unlocks and story progress. I would've preferred to see all DoA5 downloads on a full collection disc, but I guess they want to make more money and new costume packs are on the way.

Ultimate is generous in the amount of stages, with quite a few new ones added to this version, even some classics from DoA3. I like the aircraft carrier, autumn forest and desert wasteland stages especially. If there's something the series has been always good at, it's the quality in huge and multi-levelled stages. An idea introduced all the way back in DoA2.

They're full of detail and areas to unlock as a fight continues, even after falling from ledges or crashing through walls! The really badly textured grounds and environments remain, however. It's a huge contrast to the fantastic character models, that still look stunning, a year after release!

"...fantastic character models, that still look stunning, a year after release"

Talking about the characters, there are five new ones added in this version. Bringing the total roster of fighters up to 29. It's an impressive number, partially thanks to bringing in Virtua Fighter characters and a couple from the Ninja Gaiden titles.

For instance, Rachel from Ninja Gaiden slips naturally into the Dead or Alive roster, with the typical DoA body proportions and clothing, a typical Tecmo girl design.

I would've liked a form of character customisation this time around, small alterations in the costumes are still hidden button commands, but it's just changes of hairstyles or wearing glasses. It would be welcome to configure and save a character with clothes, accessories and colour options of your own choice.




DoA5:U is a difficult game to review. I felt the upgrade to this version wasn't really worth the asking price and so it ends with a fairly average score. However, for newcomers it's still the greatness that the original DoA5 had.

Ultimate is an upgrade for fans and collectors only. This should've been a complete collection of all DoA5 DLC, with more features added in my opinion. If you're thinking of jumping into the franchise, definitely go for this version rather than the vanilla release!


If you don't own DoA5, consider it a 5