Dead or Alive 5 - Boxed - PS3

Dead or Alive 5 is the fifth main entry in the Dead or Alive fighting series. The main story mode takes place two years after the events of Dead or Alive 4. It consists of single-round fights for the various characters, with cutscenes. The story isn't told in chronological order, but mixes different characters and events into interconnected chapters. The story is split into two main plotlines: one in which Helena Douglas rebuilds a new DOATEC to use its technology for peaceful purposes, and another centred on the hunt for Kasumi's evil clone, Alpha-152. Characters are generally tied to one of the two plotlines, but also interact with each other to some extent.

Besides the main story mode and bonus missions, the offline combat mode offers the sub-modes Versus, Arcade, Time Attack and Survival. There are both solo and tag-team fights. The online mode offers casual fights, ranked fights and lobby fights. The training mode is considerably more extensive than in previous games, offering detailed strategies for combos, frame data and the ability to customise the sparring partner's AI. The training mode is also used online as an Online Dojo to practise with other players. In the online mode, players can host tournaments for up to sixteen players, and there's a spectator mode where you can watch fights and chat with other spectators. It's possible to watch replays of fights, follow fights between AI partners and take photos with a fully controllable camera. The environments contain more destructible elements, and there's more detail for the characters during fights, such as sweat or clothing getting dirty. The stages are still divided into several areas, in which characters can end up in danger zones. There's also a new Cliffhanger quick event, where a character gets one last chance to avoid falling over and recover, but the opponent can often inflict even more damage during this.

The main combat mechanics are largely based on Dead or Alive 3. Attacks consist of four buttons (light and heavy punches and kicks) to perform combos, throws and blocks. There's no jump input. The game keeps the classic rock-paper-scissors system, where strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, holds beat strikes and so on, with additional damage for successful counters. Compared to previous games, damage for successful counters has been reduced to encourage more aggressive strategies. Completely new is the ability to dodge incoming attacks with a full sidestep, rather than simply repositioning as in previous games. There are two further moves that radically change the dynamics. The "Critical Burst" attack offers a new way to attack stunned opponents. Previously, they either had to be juggled to prevent them from performing a counter-hold. Now, stunned opponents must choose between a Critical Burst attack, which negates this, or a normal throw. Critical stuns and critical combos are also present. Another new addition is the Power Blow, a powerful, charged attack that can only be used once health points fall below 50%.

The game features 19 returning characters: Alpha-152, Ayane, Bass, Bayman, Brad, Christie, Eliot, Gen Fu, Hayate, Helena, Hitomi, Jann Lee, Kasumi, Kokoro, Leifang, Lisa, Ryu, Tina and Zack. Two characters are completely new. Mila is a Spanish mixed martial arts fighter, and Rig is a Canadian taekwondo master. All characters have both Japanese and English voice acting. Three guest characters from the Virtua Fighter series can be unlocked and also make a guest appearance in story mode: Akira, Pai and Sarah.