DOA2 was an interesting and definitely "next gen looking" 3D fighter at the time. The high points
in this game would once again be the graphics and multi-tiered stages.
Overlooking some awkward moments, the animation is top stuff, especially hit effects,
giving DOA2 some very impressive "ouch factor." The tag team special throws
are also quite satisfying and don't fail to make you cringe.
Still, the theme of this game is entirely too
"one tracked" for my tastes. Though the game contains some decent
martial arts moves, the designers seemed to have put more emphasis on "the boob bounce"
than actual martial arts &
fighting, or gameplay for that matter ... if only the counter system was as detailed as
Tina's boobs.
Overall though,
it's a fun 3D fighter that no one should miss. ~TFG
Webmaster
STORY:
A great leader was killed at the end
of the 20th century. His name was Fame Douglas, and he was renowned as the
sponsor of the legendary Dead or Alive World Combat Championship. Since his
death, and in the absence of his charisma and leadership, the world has become
chaotic. Yet something appears to be transpiring. Amid this chaos, it is
announced that the "Dead or Alive Championship 2" will be held.
However, Douglas's passing has taken with it the purpose and significance of the
tournament. Even worse, the promoter of "Dead or Alive Championship
2", who is fond of conflicts and jealous of the string, is responsible for
Douglas's death. The new promoter is more than a corrupt mastermind, but a man
of pure evil. His involvement in the tournament has brought a sense of terror to
the world, resulting in the infamous Tengu disaster that occurred at the end of
the 20th century. The climax of the disaster is about to begin with a roaring
battle.
Behind you Ayane! Kasumi's
a creeper...
REVIEW:
Tecmo's
second installment to their fighting series brought forward an innovative step
in 3D fighting games... "multi-tiered" fighting. Arguably the main draw of
DOA2
is the fact that characters are able to
knock each other off of high areas/platforms, through a guard rail/wall; and continue fighting a lower level.
Although completely
unrealistic to get knocked off a building and keep fighting, the various multi-tiered
stages offer some uniquely flashy gameplay; and along with the games sharp graphics,
DOA2 offered some great eye-candy for the time... and yes the bouncy boobs are
still quite entertaining at times.
Off the invisible top
rope!
Tecmo somewhat fleshed out the character designs by adding in a story mode, but
character personalities leave a lot to be desired. The girls of DOA seem to be
more interested in showing off their boobs than fighting (obviously designed by
men with one-tracked minds), and don't have much of a purpose
for fighting at all. All the male characters in DOA decent fighting styles, but their overall designs,
movelists, and fighting styles pale in comparison to Tekken
Tag's characters, for example. The featured fighting styles of DOA2 aren't represented
as well as they could be, and animation can be quite awkward at times... but
overall, the animation and action looks great.
Tina's got some
interesting wrestling techniques.
The gameplay in general is solid, but counters are
overly easy to
perform. There's a high counter and a low counter, and 9 times
out of 10 that you try a counter you'll probably succeed if you have any
sort of timing... easy stuff really, which really hurts the game in high level
play. Counters do look pretty however, especially since
each character has his/her own unique throws. There are some cool combo possibilities
in DOA2, but when counters can be used at any time and so frequently, the actual
gameplay becomes a bit monotonous. In the Dreamcast, you can fight 1- on- 1 playing the story mode,
and entertaining Tag Battle
Mode which allows for 2-on-2 tag team fighting (featuring some cool tag team
throws to boot), and also an addicting Survival
mode.
Dreamcast)
Dreamcast)
Overall though,
it's a fun 3D fighter that no one should miss. 
