Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate

Japanese cover art for the PlayStation 3
Developer(s) Team Ninja
Sega AM2
Publisher(s) Koei Tecmo
Distributor(s) Sega (arcade)
Director(s) Yohei Shimbori
Tom Lee
Producer(s) Yosuke Hayashi
Hiromasa Inoue
Designer(s) Takeshi Omori
Takayuki Saga
Programmer(s) Yuki Satake
Artist(s) Yutaka Saito
Series Dead or Alive
Platform(s) PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Arcade
Release date(s)

PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Arcade

  • JP December 24, 2013
Genre(s) Fighting

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate (abbreviated to DOA5 Ultimate or just DOA5U) is a fighting game in the Dead or Alive series, developed by Team Ninja in partnership with Sega AM2, and released by Koei Tecmo for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in September 2013. It was followed by an arcade edition later in 2013. It is the first arcade game to be released by Koei Tecmo since Dead or Alive 2 Millenium in 2000.

DOA5 Ultimate is an expanded edition of 2012's Dead or Alive 5, incorporating some features from the PlayStation Vita's Dead or Alive 5 Plus as well as additional content, including five characters that are new or returning to the series (including two Ninja Gaiden characters), as well as gameplay system tweaks and expansions, many of them in the online multiplayer tag team mode (including an introduction of two-on-two tag team battles). The game received generally favorable reviews.

A free-to-play cut version of DOA5 Ultimate, titled Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate: Core Fighters, was released on the PlayStation Store alongside the retail game. The arcade edition Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate: Arcade was released on 24 December 2013, distributed by Sega. Ultimate was followed by Dead or Alive 5 Last Round in 2015.

Gameplay

A screenshot of Mr. Strong using the Power Launcher against Tina

Besides having fixed all known bugs,[5] Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate adds new training modes from Dead or Alive 5 Plus: Tutorial (a training mode designed to practice key moves and strategies and consisting of the lesson part and the mission part) and Combo Challenge (a special training mode designed to learn and practice combos), as well as Team Fight mode where the players choose up to seven characters. A new gameplay feature, called the Power Launcher and working similar to the Power Blow of DOA5 (that can be used only once per round when the player's character's health falls below 50%), launches opponents high into the air, allowing more advanced players to follow up with a combo. Returning characters also gain new combos.[6]

Some major changes were made to the Tag mode gameplay, which now features two-on-two tag battles in online multiplayer (introduced "due to high demand from DOA fans around the world"[7]). Several of them are supposed to make the new tag team mode better suited for competitive play by high-level players, including a restriction to the amount of health that can be recovered by the character that is tagged out and stays in the background, and a new Tag mode specific attack, called the Force Out, which knocks the opponent's current character out of the ring and forces the opponent to use just the other tag partner for a period of time.[8] The game also features many new tag poses and tag throws unique for various tag teams (depending on the characters that were chosen for the team), as well as new taunts and appeals.[5] The developer Team Ninja also promised to smooth the online fights and shorten the match-finding wait times, while a new system of Character Points is supposed to let the players know how good their opponents are with the currently selected fighters (similar to Street Fighter IV's Battle Points[9]), as well as their world rank.[6][10][11]

Similar to in DOA5 Plus, the players are also able to choose their own custom music outside Dead or Alive series for the fights; Ultimate also features' the returning characters' past themes.[6] The game comes with new costumes for all characters and includes some of downloadable content (DLC) costume packs from the original game (now as just unlockable content); the remaining DLC costumes (Costume Packs 3, 6, 7 and 8) are not included in the game but can be used with DOA5 Ultimate if they were purchased for DOA5.[6] The game features a total of 231 costumes (more than twice increase from 114 alternate outfits in the original DOA5[12]) that are to be unlockable using new system of Grade Points the players might earn by winning the matches as Prize Fighters in four levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum).[6][11]

Characters

The entire character roster in the game (selected are the series' newcomers Rachel and Momiji, and the returnees Ein and Hitomi); the lower-left random select slot is replaced by Marie Rose, Leon switch side in replacing lower right random select while only one random select below Alpha-152 once again, Phase-4 is below Hayate, and Nyo-Tengu is below Hayabusa in Arcade and DLC updates
Further information: Characters of Dead or Alive 5

The game adds five more playable characters to the original roster of Dead or Alive 5, for a total of 29 fighters. Three more characters (Marie Rose, Phase 4 and Nyotengu) were added to the roster later, for a total of 32.

Development

Previously in 2012, the series' producer Yosuke Hayashi has stated they will not be releasing additional characters or stages as DLC for the original version of DOA5, as Team Ninja views it as unfair to players who cannot afford to pay for the DLC and because it will make it harder to balance the game.[24] A teaser trailer showing Momiji in a new version of DOA5 was shown on April 28, 2013 at a Playse event in Tokyo.[25] On May 8, Famitsu revealed it as Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, set to be released sometime in fall 2013, and to include all of new content from Dead or Alive 5 Plus and to feature more characters and stages.[19] Later that same month, the launch date was announced as September 3, 2013.[1]

The game's director Yohei Shimbori said: "Since we launched Dead or Alive 5, we received a lot of feedback from fans around the world. DoA5 Ultimate is a reflection of that feedback we received."[8] He added: "We received a lot of feedback on stages, and we've really heard our fans loud and clear on what they wanted." The most requested stages to make a come back included the Forest and Lost World stages from Dead or Alive 3; another popular request was for a stage with an uneven grounding, resulting in the creation of the Desert Wasteland stage.[5] Team Ninja has held contests to design DLC costumes.[26][27]

Release

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 was released first in North America on September 3, 2013, followed by Japan on September 5, Europe on September 6, and Australia on September 26. The official guide book Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Master Guide (DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Ultimateマスターガイド Deddo Oa Araibu Faibu Arutimetto Masutā Gaido) was released in Japan on the same day as the game.[28]

Promotion

Promotion of the game at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2013

It was announced that the game's Japan-only limited edition titled Kasumi-chan Blue & Momiji Red Package contains Dead or Alive 5 Original Soundtrack Volume 3, a set of 12 "I'm a Fighter" posters, "Kasumi-chan Blue" and "Momiji Red" 3D mousepads, Kasumi and Momiji themed playing cards, life-size tapestries and bath posters, and download codes for the "Ultimate Sexy" and "Idol" costume packs. The Kasumi-chan Blue and Momiji Red editions contain only either Kasumi or Momiji themed bonuses.[29] A standard collector's edition includes a soundtrack CD, "Kasumi-chan Blue" 3D mousepad, Kasumi playing cards, and a code for the "Ultimate Sexy Costume".[30]

Tecmo Koei Europe offered exclusive downloadable in-game costumes (the packs J-Pop, Schoolgirl and Bad Girl) as pre-order bonuses, making them available for the different characters depending on a given retailer: Kokoro, Leifang, Hitomi and Mila from GAME, and Kasumi and Ayane from Amazon.[31][32] Exclusive costumes for Christie, Helena, Lisa, Rachel, Tina and Momiji were made available via indie retailers through CentreSoft.[33]

In Japan, first-print copies of Tecmo Koei's Musou Orochi 2 Ultimate (Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate) were bundled with DLC codes for special “Orochi” themed DOA5U costumes for Kasumi, Ayane and Momiji.[34] Tokyo Game Show themed booth babe costume for Kasumi was released as a free downloadable content.[35] Bonus DLC costumes for Ryu and Momiji were announced to come with the special edition of Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z.[36]

Core Fighters

A free digital version of the game, titled Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate: Core Fighters, was released on the PlayStation Store alongside the retail version. Hayashi said he wants to introduce more people to the genre and make them interested, hoping it might help to bring back the fighting games' golden era of the 1990s.[37] Soon after the announcement of Core Fighters, Namco Bandai announced and quickly released Tekken Revolution, their own take on a concept of a free-to-play fighting game.[38]

Core Fighters features four playable characters (Ryu Hayabusa, Kasumi, Hayate and Ayane) and almost all of the game's modes, whilst additional playable characters (for $4 each) and the game's Story Mode (for $15) may purchased separately as DLC (Core Fighters is compatible with DLC costumes from DOA5, but comes with no free additional costumes[6]). The digital version has only been announced for PlayStation 3, with an Xbox 360 release slated as 'possible'.[39][40]

Arcade

Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate: Arcade was the first DOA arcade game since Dead or Alive 2 Millenium in January 2000. Arcade was released only in Japan December 24, 2013, running on Sega RingEdge 2 hardware and using use Sega's ALL.Net P-ras MULTI Ver. 2 content digital distribution platform.[41][42] Arcade introduced new characters Marie Rose, Phase-4 and Nyotengu.[43]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings77.38% (PS3)[44]
73.33% (360)[45]
Metacritic77/100 (PS3)[46]
75/100 (360)[47]
Review scores
PublicationScore
EGM7.5/10[48]
Famitsu34/40[49]
Game Revolution[50]
OXM8/10[51]
Award
PublicationAward
PlayStation UniverseGamescom 2013 Awards:
Best Fighting Game[52]

The game was received well by most critics, resulting in averaged scores of 77.38% at GameRankings and 77/100 at Metacritic for the PlayStation 3 version,[44][46] along with 73.33% and 75/100 for the Xbox 360 version.[45][47] Famitsu gave it a positive first review and a total of 34/40 (9/9/8/8 out of 10 from the four reviewers).[49] Eric L. Patterson of Electronic Gaming Monthly recommended Ultimate for new players, adding that "hopefully, both this full release and Core Fighters will help revive interest in the game's competitive scene."[48] Hedi Kemps of Official Xbox Magazine wrote that "despite issues regarding its distribution method, DoA5 Ultimate remains a fun, gorgeous, and accessible fighter, made sweeter by the wealth of new content. There's no better time to hop into the ring."[51]

Ryan King of NowGamer gave the PS3 version a score of 7.5/10, adding that "shallow but fun" Ultimate "has packed in a wealth of content alongside its solid fighting game core for a low price."[53] Tom's Guide's Mike Andronico, who awarded the both versions of game four out of five stars, wrote that it is "a satisfying update to the DoA experience, for just $40," but cautioned that "casual fans content with last year's copy of Dead or Alive 5 might not want to buy another game so soon."[54] Angelo M. D’Argenio of Cheat Code Central opined that Ultimate is a must-have purchase only for those who are still playing Dead or Alive 5, giving the PS3 version a relatively low score of 3.2/5.[55] According to Hardcore Gamer's Adam Beck, however, "there’s something here for everyone;" he rated the PS3 version a 4/5, calling it the series' "most complete and robust experience yet."[56]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "News: Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate release date set for September". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  2. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Scheduled to Release in Japan on September 5; Ein, Virtua Fighter’s Jacky Bryant Announced". Shoryuken. 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
  3. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate - TECMO KOEI EUROPE Ltd". Tecmokoei-europe.com. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
  4. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate - EB Games Australia". Ebgames.com.au. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate's roster is final now, director of title talks about online improvements". Eventhubs.com. 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Ultimate Official Site: FEATURES". Teamninja-studio.com. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  7. ↑ "Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate Offers Tag Mode, Loads Of Costumes". Cinemablend.com. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  8. 1 2 3 "Director: Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate is a reflection of the feedback we received - more gameplay footage from the show floor". Eventhubs.com. 2013-06-14. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  9. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate will have 231 costumes to unlock, new 2v2 Tag Mode and Character Points system being added". Eventhubs.com. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  10. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate adds new online 2v2 - Video Game News, Videos and File Downloads for PC and Console Games at". Shacknews.com. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  11. 1 2 "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate: Tag mode, more detailed". Gematsu. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  12. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Shows Off More Of Its New Costumes". Siliconera.com. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  13. 1 2 3 "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Trailer Introduces New Characters and Stages". EGMNOW. 2013-05-24. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  14. ↑ "Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate Adds Jacky Bryant From Virtua Fighter". Siliconera. 2013-05-21. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  15. 1 2 "Ninja Gaiden’s Rachel and Leon Revealed in Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate’s E3 2013 Trailer". Shoryuken. 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  16. ↑ "Ein and Jacky Bryant Featured in Latest Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Trailer". Shoryuken. 2013-05-23. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  17. ↑ "『デッド オア アライブ 5 アルティメット アーケード』新キャラクター"マリー・ローズ"画像＆映像が公開、ロケテスト開催も決定 - ファミ通.com". Famitsu.com. 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  18. ↑ "New Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Arcade Character is a Cute French Maid Named Mary Rose ‹ Hardcore Gamer". Hardcoregamer.com. 2013-11-14. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  19. 1 2 "The Dragon Shrine Maiden Momiji Joins the Fray in Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, Set to Release for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in Fall 2013". Shoryuken. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  20. ↑ Conditt, Jessica (2013-05-09). "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate confirmed for Xbox 360, PS3 this fall". Joystiq. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  21. ↑ "『デッド オア アライブ 5 アルティメット』アーケード版に新キャラクターが追加！　さらに家庭用には、マリー・ローズが参戦決定!!". Famitsu.com. 2014-03-04. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
  22. ↑ ""Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate" Confirms Mysterious Female Tengu Character". Crunchyroll. Retrieved 2014-06-05.
  23. ↑ "Nyotengu will join the DOA5U Roster this September". Koei Tecmo. 2014-08-04. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
  24. ↑ "DLC characters make fighting games 'unfair', says DoA5 dev - Dead or Alive 5 for Xbox 360 News". Videogamer.com. 2012-06-19. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  25. ↑ "New Dead or Alive 5 Game Headed To Xbox 360 And PS3". Siliconera. 2013-04-28. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  26. ↑ "Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
  27. ↑ "DEAD OR ALIVE Team NINJA Designers Challenge Season 2". Teamninja-studio.com. Retrieved 2015-08-28.
  28. ↑ "DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Ultimate (Master Guide)". Gamecity.ne.jp. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
  29. ↑ "DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Ultimate (Collector's Edition)". Gamecity.ne.jp. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
  30. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Gets Sultry (And Expensive!) Special Editions In Japan". Siliconera. 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  31. ↑ "News: EU: Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate gets pre-order-only costumes". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. 2013-07-12. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  32. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Pre-Order Incentives for GameStop and Amazon Detailed". Shoryuken. 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  33. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate to Receive Three Pre-Order Bonus Packs « GamingBolt.com: Video Game News, Reviews, Previews and Blog". Gamingbolt.com. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  34. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Orochi DLC Costumes to Be Bundled with Musou Orochi 2 Ultimate in Japan". Shoryuken. 2013-08-30. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  35. ↑ Cundy, Matt. "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate DLC: Free Kasumi Booth Babe costume out now". Dlcentral.com. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  36. ↑ Cundy, Matt. "DOA5 Ultimate DLC outfits from Yaiba Special Edition appear in new trailer". Dlcentral.com. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  37. ↑ Spencer (2013-06-03). "Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate Will Also Be Released As A Freemium Game For PS3". Siliconera. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  38. ↑ "Free-to-Play, PS3-exclusive ‘Tekken Revolution’ Available Tomorrow". Multiplayerblog.mtv.com. 2013-06-10. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  39. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Gets Free Version for PS3 - Interest". Anime News Network. 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  40. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate: Core Fighters is fr - Video Game News, Videos and File Downloads for PC and Console Games at". Shacknews.com. 2013-06-03. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  41. ↑ "Dead or Alive Series Returning to Arcades with DEAD OR ALIVE 5 Ultimate: Arcade in Winter 2013". Shoryuken. 2013-07-06. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  42. ↑ "Tecmo Koei Re-Entering Arcade Market With Dead or Alive 5 AC and Sega's Help". Arcade Heroes. 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  43. ↑ Spencer (2013-09-04). "Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate Is Coming To Arcades With A New Character". Siliconera. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  44. 1 2 "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate for PlayStation 3". GameRankings. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  45. 1 2 "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate for Xbox360". GameRankings. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  46. 1 2 "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate for PlayStation 3". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  47. 1 2 "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate for Xbox 360". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
  48. 1 2 "EGM Review: Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate". EGMNOW. 2013-09-11. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
  49. 1 2 "Japan Review Check: Puppeteer, DOA5 Ultimate". Polygon. 2013-08-28. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
  50. ↑ Peterson, Blake. "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved September 2013.
  51. 1 2 "Official XBOX Magazine | Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate review". Oxmonline.com. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
  52. ↑ "Gamescom 2013 Awards: Best Fighting Game - PlayStation Universe". Psu.com. 2013-08-27. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
  53. ↑ "Dead Or Alive 5 Ultimate Review". NowGamer. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  54. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)". Tomsguide.com. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  55. ↑ "Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3) - Cheat Code Central". Cheatcc.com. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
  56. ↑ "Review: Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate ‹ Hardcore Gamer". Hardcoregamer.com. Retrieved 2013-09-06.

External links

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