Good graphics do not a good game make. That’s not to say that graphics don’t make a good game better, but any game that focuses on graphics alone, well, that’s sort of like putting makeup on a pig. It might look better, but underneath, it’s pretty ugly.
Such is the case with Tecmo and Team Ninja’s “Dead or Alive Xtreme 2” for the Xbox 360. Team Ninja is known for its ability to create games with incredible graphics and usually the gameplay is on par with the gorgeous scenery. Look at Team Ninja’s “Ninja Gaiden,” released a few years ago for the original Xbox, to see an example of Team Ninja’s mastery with gameplay and graphics. “Ninja Gaiden” was great, and unfortunately, it made gamers expect more from Team Ninja. However, lackluster games like “Dead or Alive Xtreme 2” seriously hurt the company’s reputation for games.
This game is a direct follow up to the original “Dead or Alive Xtreme.” But, anyone familiar with the series knows that the “Xtreme” in the title changes the “Dead or Alive” formula drastically. You see, “Dead or Alive” games are well-developed fighting games, but “Dead or Alive Xtreme” titles are all about women, friendship and mediocre games of beach volleyball. It’s quite a drastic difference.
“Dead or Alive Xtreme 2” focuses on the rebirth of “Zack’s Island,” the island paradise where the first “Dead or Alive Xtreme” took place. In this new game, the graphics are better, there are more characters, and there are more games to play, but it still feels like a thrown-together mess of a game.
The game’s premise is simple. The player selects a character (the selection is made up of female characters from the “Dead or Alive” fighting games) and proceeds to relax on the beach. Yeah, that’s about it. There’s no diabolical villain to defeat, no world to save or anything. The most you have to worry about is getting an even tan and making the other girls on the island friends with you. At times, this can be harder that stopping a diabolical villain, actually.
There are a few diversions on the island. You can play beach volleyball. It’s fun for a while but the two-button control scheme is so simple, most players will tire of this quickly. Players can also take their characters out on a jet-ski race, play tug-of-war at the pool with the other girls, or even gamble in a few card games in a casino.
This would be great, but like I said, it seems rushed. Controls on the jet-ski are difficult and remove any fun from the races. The tug-of-war and other games you can play at the pool are simple and short, so the fun doesn’t last long. And, in the casino, there are no 3-D models. I don’t understand it. The Xbox 360 is arguably the most powerful system on the market, but when you want to sit down and play poker or roulette, all you see are little icons to represent the characters playing the game. It’s like the casino is empty. The only things you see at a card table are icons and cards. Why no actual character models?
Either way, the games get old fast. With the money you will earn playing the games or by winning at the casino, you can do a number of things. You can buy new swimsuits or items. You can buy a camera and have your character pose for photo shoots. And, to win the friendship of the other girls, you can buy them gifts. But, through playing the game, you’ll need to learn about what each character likes and doesn’t like because if you get the wrong thing, these girls can get mad.
What, they never heard of re-gifting?
Overall, “Dead or Alive Xtreme 2” is a beautiful game with no substance. The girls and the island look fantastic and most players will enjoy just looking at the graphics. But, that gets old really quick and unless you want to spend $300 on the Xbox 360 and $60 on this game, just to play dress up, save yourself the effort and get a Barbie doll. Team Ninja and Tecmo can do better than this.
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