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| Dead or Alive: Xtreme 2 |
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| Sports |
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| Team Ninja |
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| Microsoft |
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8th December 06 |
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14th November 06 |
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N/A |
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N/A |
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You simply can’t keep those loveable Dead or Alive girls down. Having been flagship characters for Microsoft’s consoles by remaining exclusive and appearing in four games so far they have enjoyed reasonable success across the globe. Dead or Alive Extreme Volleyball was a stark contrast to the tried and trusted games that had been developed for the Xbox when it was released. With its solid volleyball game play combined with a quirky yet frustrating dating simulation and mini games gave Dead Or Alive Extreme Volleyball instant classic status. Whilst in its simplicity it could have been seen as pure fan service for those gamers who had previously enjoyed kicking and punching the hell out of the same characters in the Dead or Alive fighting game series; Dead or Alive Extreme Volleyball garnered wider appeal. Maybe it was the bikini clad depictions of women where you could play Barbie doll dress up or maybe those gambling mini games which added to the appeal? Either way Tecmo cant be faulted for offering us gamers something different to the norm and in doing so have decided on venturing into sequel territory with the aptly named Dead Or Alive Xtreme 2.
With the original game on Xbox it seemed as if there were things missing; things that you and I could see which would improve the interactive element in the game such as being able to freely wander Zack’s island; obviously hardware constraints limited the possibility of this. Well with Dead Or Alive Xtreme 2 appearing on more powerful hardware we can be certain that Tecmo will have taken note of the criticisms people have had with the first game and addressed some of them.
Dead Or Alive Xtreme 2 puts the Dead or Alive girls back onto Zack’s luxury island however this time round things are a little different. Not only will the girls have a far wider range of activities to partake in but also gamers will be able to compete online via Xbox Live with other gamers from around the globe. The volleyball game makes a welcome return and has been reworked for added depth. No doubt the relationship element with team mates is still used and perhaps tweaked a little to add more possibilities. The girls can now take to the waters once more and I’m not just talking about the swimming pool either. This time round gamers will be able to race on (PWC) personal water craft around the island and compete in various events. The swimming pool mini games are also present with the inclusion of more events which include things such as rope pulling or tug of war as it’s also known as. The difference here is the girls will be on small floating platforms with the aim of keeping balance as well as pulling your opponent into the water. Another new event is hip wrestling which is similar to the rope pulling except the girls use their hips to try and nudge their opponents into the drink! If you thought hip wrestling sounds bizarre then the piste de resistance has to be the all new water slide event which as the name implies requires that you guide your chosen character down a slippery slide and into the water. How this actually pans out in game play terms I can’t say but for one thing it does sound rather intriguing to say the least.
For gambling fans and obviously for those of us wishing to collect all of the accessories and swimsuits in the game Zack’s casino makes a welcome return. However lock up those girlfriends and wives as more games have been added to the already impressive roster of activities. One thing I am hoping for is a little more visual flair when it comes to gambling at the table with the other characters. In the original Xbox game opposing characters at the wheel were represented by basic icons. Let’s hope we get a fully rendered casino interior to interact with this time.
I really enjoyed the original Dead Or Alive Extreme Volleyball on Xbox not only because I am a fan of the Dead or Alive series but also because the game offered something different. The minor dating element was very fun but frustrating especially for those of us with our hearts set on every character owning Venus suits! The volleyball game play and team mechanics were basic yet solid and the casino, well it’s a casino was an excellent inclusions for something different to do. With the whole heap of new events and of course more impressive looking graphics we can all hope that Tecmo goes all out and delivers the ultimate beach game.
Preview By: Robert Cram
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