DOA2: Hardcore

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Tecmo
  • Release Date: Oct 25, 2000
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 70 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 70
  3. Negative: 6 out of 70

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  1. BillyL.
    Aug 9, 2002
    1
    The one point goes to the graphics, while not as nice as tekken 4 or even tekken tag's graphics, it certainly looks nice.
  2. Nuño
    Oct 19, 2001
    4
    Just good graphics but lacks a lot of game play. Stories are really short and you don´t get to understand them very well. Realism is not in the game and also moves are very limited. I will rate this game as a JUST RENT.
  3. SethD.
    Jul 31, 2001
    5
    Though entertaining, it lacks in length, realistic characters, and replay value. Arena falls and Instant Replay are nice though.
  4. MaryC.
    Jun 12, 2002
    5
    I'm gonna go with a "half-&-half" for "DOA2H." I think that this game has nice graphics. (Umm... except for the fact that all the women are basically... uhh... sluts @_@) I like the way the game plays, it looks good (sans the slutty girls), & I like the number of outfits for each character (yet again... sans the slutty & skanky outfits for the females) This game is rather insultive I'm gonna go with a "half-&-half" for "DOA2H." I think that this game has nice graphics. (Umm... except for the fact that all the women are basically... uhh... sluts @_@) I like the way the game plays, it looks good (sans the slutty girls), & I like the number of outfits for each character (yet again... sans the slutty & skanky outfits for the females) This game is rather insultive to girls... they try to make it seem like girls are basically sluts. ~_~ I REALLY dislike that!!! The reason I gave this game a 5 was for 3 main reasons. I don't think it deserves any higher than the score that I gave it. (1) The graphics are very nice. (I've only seen graphics like that for DOA3 (very nice) & Tekken 4 (very nice). (2) The multi-tiered levels... it's fun to knock someone off a building... but it isn't very realistic. (I mean COME ON... how many people can get knocked off a HUGE cliff or building & still survive!!! No one... I rest my case there. (3) The fighting is nice & swift... but it's definately lacking something. This game... I'm sorry to say... only relies on slutty girls fighting in disgustingly revealing outfits to try & get boys to buy it. It's rather pathetic. The game deserves a 5 for what it is... but it definitely isn't all that...… Expand
  5. KyleK.
    Nov 17, 2003
    6
    Realistic environments, good characters, it's a damn good fighting game but it won't ever beat the tekken's.
  6. HeatherA.
    Nov 19, 2001
    1
    how in the hell did this game get a Metascore of 91? Dead or Alive 3 had a metascore of only 88 well, you pople must not get out much. "Project Justice" is the best fighting game.
  7. tomflanders
    Mar 31, 2018
    7
    Still the best Tekken-style game I've ever played. Graphics and move sets are on point.
  8. shootingstars99
    Aug 11, 2019
    10
    This is my favorite fighter on the PS2, right up there with KOF XI. I have many fond memories of this game, and as it was my intro to the DOA series, it has a lot a value to me. The characters are all excellent and fun to play as, the multi tiered environments and detail in the stages is something to this day that is still extremely impressive, and the combat always feels deep, all whileThis is my favorite fighter on the PS2, right up there with KOF XI. I have many fond memories of this game, and as it was my intro to the DOA series, it has a lot a value to me. The characters are all excellent and fun to play as, the multi tiered environments and detail in the stages is something to this day that is still extremely impressive, and the combat always feels deep, all while maintaining a flashy, aesthetically pleasing battle experience. There are quite a few modes in addition to learning the ins and outs of different characters by taking them to training mode and seeing how they move, what they can combo, and so on. Great experience, and even to this day, it feels more impressive than the offerings we get in the fighting genre on PS4 and Xbox One.… Expand
  9. Ed&AprilB
    Aug 10, 2005
    0
    Ok this is a piece of garbage. I bought Tekken, Virtual and Soul Caliber and this piece of junk at the same time and I took it back and was happy that I got 3 dollars for the ten I wasted! 1. The characters SUCK: Chunky chicks in bathing suits cannot kick ass ...sorry so unbelievable I couldn't stand to play it. I hated getting beat by the chunky blond bimbo..hated it. Needs real Ok this is a piece of garbage. I bought Tekken, Virtual and Soul Caliber and this piece of junk at the same time and I took it back and was happy that I got 3 dollars for the ten I wasted! 1. The characters SUCK: Chunky chicks in bathing suits cannot kick ass ...sorry so unbelievable I couldn't stand to play it. I hated getting beat by the chunky blond bimbo..hated it. Needs real characters that look like they could kick ass like in soul caliber and virtual fighter. 2. Controls and response ok but are crap when compared to Soul and Virtual. 3. Sound - garbage again for the same price go get soul caliber or virtual fighter. 4. Graphics: I hate to repeat myself but the ratings for Virtual and Soul Caliber are better and by god there right. The graphics suck compared to these other games. Not worthing owning !!! Take it back ,,,throw it away ! D.O.A. stands for Dont Own At anytime… Expand
  10. SuzumiN.
    Mar 9, 2006
    10
    That last review was horrible. Doa is a really good game. The only reason why those 2 people would hate it is because they're both stereo types and like games that only contain really good graphics. I'm not really a fan of Virtua fighter because most of the characters some of the street fighters characters but thats no the reason why i dont like it. DOA is a game where you can That last review was horrible. Doa is a really good game. The only reason why those 2 people would hate it is because they're both stereo types and like games that only contain really good graphics. I'm not really a fan of Virtua fighter because most of the characters some of the street fighters characters but thats no the reason why i dont like it. DOA is a game where you can learn how to understand the moves and styles used by different characters. The bad reveiwers just didnt understand what it means to motion cap and make a game where you can actually put moves on your favorite characters. That reviewer doesnt have the right to call him or her self a gamer until they can learn to accept their ways of gaming.… Expand
  11. karelpica99
    Dec 21, 2017
    10
    Great game, though the story lines are short and hard to follow. Excellent graphics and lots of playing options.
  12. MichaelM.
    Sep 22, 2001
    9
    I'd give it 9.99999 if i could! This is the best Beat'em up I've ever played. The graphics and soundtrack are ace as are the controls, and there is so much to unlock! I hope all fighting games take note of this game, they should take some pointers. The only improvements would be fully destructible backgrounds and more realism, i.e. Blood!
  13. SvenVanA.
    Jan 9, 2002
    10
    This is the best fighting game I ever played!
  14. Chunkat*(^.^)*
    Jul 9, 2002
    8
    Well, well... for a Streetfighter player, DO2 has certainly caught my intrest. The combos are incredible!! fighting style is a 10/10! I love the tags and graphics! oh and falling of 3 levels of buildings?...MORE!!MORE!!! Its so fast and action packed and its not just like any other fighting game they have little things to collect in survior etc. I think the little extras are what makes a Well, well... for a Streetfighter player, DO2 has certainly caught my intrest. The combos are incredible!! fighting style is a 10/10! I love the tags and graphics! oh and falling of 3 levels of buildings?...MORE!!MORE!!! Its so fast and action packed and its not just like any other fighting game they have little things to collect in survior etc. I think the little extras are what makes a fighting game different from just..."an ordinary fighting game". But i guess ur still wondering why i gave it 8/10... and yes...since im a girl it is my job to stand up for the raunchy look of the girls in the game. At first i was like "OH MY GOD!". I mean do guys even know how much it herts when they wobble that much? are they even wearing bras?!! They should be more worried of thier boobs aching than other parts being bashed up! And what with Jann-Lee!! that throw of his?!where he lifts up the opponent leg then kicks them down?! I mean on a guy..ok...but on a girl..MAJOR "LETS HAVE A LITTLE PERVE B4 I KICK HER DOWN!" and lets go TINA! woah! if her leather bikini aint enuf try her move where she grabs en slams a guy on da floor and she has her head bewteen the guys legs. raunchy! but i guess 'Dark Phoenix' would have a kick out of that eh? haha. If they made the girls so sluttly then they should have made the guys more sexy too! i mean come on!! Ein without his top? WHERE ARE THE PACS??!!! the only thing that ive seen raunghy about a guy is Zack in his telly tubby costume. hahah talk about BUM CRACK! but the whole costume turns you off anyway~ UGH~!!! The gallery dont even have guys only girls.?! and the booklet, if they wanted the girls to wear hardly anything..why not make them naked in da first place?! At first i thought some characters in other fighting games wear so exposed (eg:wrestling chick in marvel vs cap. or Heihachi nappy sack in tekken4), but i dont think nothing is as raunchy as DOA2. My first image that came to mind was... "is one of the guy characters going to have this counter where he rapes the girl?!" or "is a tina going to do this breast punce double slap move?" yeeeeesh!hahaha well at least tina's dad sets his opinion through which then might relate to the guys. Im sure our boyfriends...the decent ones..wouldnt want us girls selling off our body like that on a public streets.Well you girls might get angry with your boyfriends coz they might be influenced by this generalisation of women, but its thier own fault and the creators, that make us girls think every guy in da world who would even think of playing DOA2 be a 100% pervert!...generally speaking~ but anyway at least i get to win alot against my bro hahaha, he's to busy perving at my character to notice im kicking his ass!!! YEah-ah! ^.^ … Expand
  15. ChrisR.
    Jul 15, 2001
    9
    Graphics could have been better and playability's a little too complex, but great concept and music is nice.
  16. DeadlyFighter
    Jan 3, 2002
    10
    This is a game you can sit down and play for hours. So many different fighting styles unlike other fighting games that copy the same move list to characters, in DOA2 no two characters are alike.
  17. BenB.
    Jul 2, 2002
    10
    I have played all of the DOA games and it's my opinion that DOA2H is the best. I think it's the best graphiced one the controls are alot easier than DOA3 for X Box.
  18. Der
    Aug 14, 2002
    8
    I like this game. Quite a lot. I like this game so much that, before getting Hardcore, I went out and paid 30 bucks to get the Dreamcast version. Despite what people say, there's quite a bit of depth. The only reason I can think of that could lower any of the "depth" would be to use the D-Pad instead of the analog stick. Realism is nice, most of the times, but there are a few times I like this game. Quite a lot. I like this game so much that, before getting Hardcore, I went out and paid 30 bucks to get the Dreamcast version. Despite what people say, there's quite a bit of depth. The only reason I can think of that could lower any of the "depth" would be to use the D-Pad instead of the analog stick. Realism is nice, most of the times, but there are a few times where they kind of push it (read: Ein's power slam punch and the building falls). But both of those are in the game for good reason. I think giving a player the ability to knock a person off to a different level and continue the fight there, while a bit impossible due to the fall the other player took, is pretty damn cool. So it's forgivable. And, yeah. There are a few somewhat revealing costumes for the female characters. Big whoop. I don't think that's any reason for a reviewer, male OR female, to raise or lower their score. There's more revealing clothing in professional wrestling (read: I'm not sure about these days, but there used to be that Chyna chick, or whatever, who ran around in a flipping bikini). Besides which, since when is a traditional chinese dress slutty? A fancy french attire, for whores? Hardly. And for all you "oh, they just put the girls in for whore-factor and jiggle" kind of people out there, keep in mind that two of the three best characters in the game are chicks: Kasumi and Ayane. So, while I can see where feminists would have a bit of trouble with this game, I don't. And I really think they're out of line if they think that there's too much "slutty clothing for the chicks" in this game. All I can say to that is to tell them to watch some cable TV and take a quick trip to the beach. There's worse in real life.… Expand
  19. ShaunC.
    Aug 26, 2002
    9
    I thought that this game was really cool. It had awesome graphics and butt kicking action fighting, I would still think it was better than Vurtua Fighter 4 or Tekken Tag. My favorite level is Demon's Church so you can fall down threw the glass window. So if you don't got this game, I would reckomend it as a great thriller for the PS2!!!
  20. SteveC.
    Feb 20, 2007
    7
    Good graphics, good characters, good fighting game, bad story ending.
  21. ColdFusion
    Dec 21, 2001
    10
    Darn no 11 rank crudd what to do oh yah opps im soposto be talking about this game eh hehe that?s right oh yah its a kick butt game for a lot even though the graphics could be a bit better its perfect the way it is i don?t care at all and i have most of the suits unlocked it took me and a few friends a while tho but great fun it is with people and i am awesome with most characters its a Darn no 11 rank crudd what to do oh yah opps im soposto be talking about this game eh hehe that?s right oh yah its a kick butt game for a lot even though the graphics could be a bit better its perfect the way it is i don?t care at all and i have most of the suits unlocked it took me and a few friends a while tho but great fun it is with people and i am awesome with most characters its a must buy for everyone above 12 id say and kids keep the age to what you are ok ok its not a jack off game its a fighting game jesus ok well that is all for now oh and bayman is a must unlock i am good with him he is sooo much better then leon heheh the better twin i say.… Expand
  22. AllenH.
    Dec 30, 2001
    9
    This game is excellent. The ability to reverse moves makes it great to play a buttonbashing begginer. The graphics are great and there is plenty of things to unlock.
  23. H.W.
    Jul 4, 2001
    9
    For a fighting game, its great overall. The best part is the ladies, though...
  24. JoolzS.
    Feb 12, 2002
    10
    Awesome gameplay, great graphics, and a hellova lot more to do than most fighters.
  25. GerritV.
    Apr 22, 2002
    9
    It's my first doa game, and I love it.
  26. Carlos
    Apr 23, 2002
    10
    This game is the BEST of the BEST! A full year after buying it, I'm STILL finding new moves, new camera angles, faster AI, and sick ..sick..SICK COMBOS! TekkenTagCrap is literally a beverage coaster now... i could have returned it, but my point is much clearer when i serve a drink with it used as a coaster. Virtual Fighter 4 got played for less than a day, and hasn't been This game is the BEST of the BEST! A full year after buying it, I'm STILL finding new moves, new camera angles, faster AI, and sick ..sick..SICK COMBOS! TekkenTagCrap is literally a beverage coaster now... i could have returned it, but my point is much clearer when i serve a drink with it used as a coaster. Virtual Fighter 4 got played for less than a day, and hasn't been re-opened since...! Those that can't understand own GameBoy's and the X-Box is for rich sheep! Pure AssKickers love DOA2: Hardcore on the PS2!!! -easy… Expand
  27. AnnO.
    Jan 9, 2005
    8
    This game is great for it's time. good graphics,solid fighting system, although sometimes it can be a bit cheap (jan lee's bruce lee style punch and tengu's repeated whirlwind attack.) the english voice acting is not bad for a fighting game. the movements are realistic (mostly for the girls)but its not as good as soul calibur wich came out at the same time. as a girl I sayThis game is great for it's time. good graphics,solid fighting system, although sometimes it can be a bit cheap (jan lee's bruce lee style punch and tengu's repeated whirlwind attack.) the english voice acting is not bad for a fighting game. the movements are realistic (mostly for the girls)but its not as good as soul calibur wich came out at the same time. as a girl I say this game is solid for its time.… Expand
  28. Robert
    Nov 3, 2001
    10
    This game is the best fighting game in the the world. I could even say its the best game in the world. Graphics are as smooth as a baby's ass and the game play is out of this planet. It also has some sexy ladies.
  29. S.L.
    Dec 11, 2001
    8
    An excellent game, fairly realistic, good graphics. anyone who doesn't like it obviously can't handle it.
  30. Serra
    Dec 4, 2001
    7
    You really can't judge how one game is compared to another similar game on another system. Saying that, I love the speed and graphics, but there are TOO many moves with many similar button combos...I feel like I am getting lucky mashing random buttons more than anything.
  31. AbeH.
    Sep 13, 2001
    10
    Absolutely a fantastic game. Amazing 3-d graphics and special effects make it all worth while. Each character with a cool variety of costumes and special techniques to satisfy the mind. A++ in my book.
  32. ZackW.
    Jan 19, 2002
    10
    This game is outstanding. With real lifelike motion and great graphics, Dead or Alive has reached new heights. Dead or Alive 3 is a great game. But they tried to over do it a little too much. Not making the game as good, and perfect as said.But deaf or alive 2 hardcore is another story. With many costumes, fun game modes, and wonder fight techneques. Makes this top fighting for any Dead This game is outstanding. With real lifelike motion and great graphics, Dead or Alive has reached new heights. Dead or Alive 3 is a great game. But they tried to over do it a little too much. Not making the game as good, and perfect as said.But deaf or alive 2 hardcore is another story. With many costumes, fun game modes, and wonder fight techneques. Makes this top fighting for any Dead or Alive series!… Expand
  33. Jason
    Dec 19, 2001
    8
    Great game, though the story lines are short and hard to follow. Excellent graphics and lots of playing options.
  34. Blanche
    Jun 8, 2016
    8
    A pretty good game for great graphics given when it was released! The combos you could combine along with counters with even more damage through interacting with the environment was really fun. My favourite characters to play as I think I remember in saying were Jann Lee and Hayabusa. And of course, the gallery was certainly a bonus...
  35. iamevilhomer
    Mar 12, 2017
    9
    DOA 1 was nothing special...

    DOA2 was better but still lacking... DOA2HC is really good and is what the game should have been... Part 3 was good but the xbox controller blows for fighting games... 4 was terrible as they made counters harder to pull off and that was the whole reason why you played this fighting game over tekken/streetfighter/soul calibur etc etc... It's like if    DOA 1 was nothing special...

    DOA2 was better but still lacking...

    DOA2HC is really good and is what the game should have been...

    Part 3 was good but the xbox controller blows for fighting games...

    4 was terrible as they made counters harder to pull off and that was the whole reason why you played this fighting game over tekken/streetfighter/soul calibur etc etc... It's like if they took knocking people off the map in smash brothers. They essentially killed the best/most unique part of the game by making the counters too hard to use rendering them mostly useless. Attack/block/grab is in every fighting game but the counter system was bad ass. Shame the series drew away from it... Doa2 online had the same prob.

    Then we got part 5 which also sucks in the same way part 4 does.

    So in short... This is the best DOA game as far as controls go and fun times.    … Expand
  36. Mayonetta99
    Aug 16, 2021
    9
    A spectacular fighting game that looks absolutely beautiful for being made in 2000. Great mechanics, lovable characters with great designs. This is only a 9 because DOA 2 Ultimate exists. A game that will go down in history as one of the best fighting games to ever exist.
  37. johnny34
    Aug 13, 2022
    1
    I can't understand the rating at the time - in the end, it's just a rip-off of Virtual Fighter that's been polished up to a technical showcase without any unique features worth mentioning, as long as you exclude the creepy sexism and the questionable, stereotype-oriented portrayal of Zack.
    It's not for nothing that the game has never played a significant role in e-sports, but rather seems    I can't understand the rating at the time - in the end, it's just a rip-off of Virtual Fighter that's been polished up to a technical showcase without any unique features worth mentioning, as long as you exclude the creepy sexism and the questionable, stereotype-oriented portrayal of Zack.
    It's not for nothing that the game has never played a significant role in e-sports, but rather seems to represent a sort of digital rubber doll for middle-aged virgins.

    The former will be mainly related to the poorly implemented gameplay, which robs the matches any dynamics due to the counter mechanism. The game rewards a restrained fighting style, with the often underworldly collision detection doing its part and ensuring that the input of attacks remains ineffective. This is especially noticeable in the unevenness of the various stages.

    I find it almost ridiculous to stylize the game into a myth and therefore advise the successful Soul Calibur, Virtual Fighter or Tekken representatives.    … Expand
  38. The_D4RknesS
    May 3, 2023
    8
    feels like Tekken in many ways, biggest difference is just more sexual characters For 2000 this game has beautiful graphics.
    I didn't like that it has few characters

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PS2 Game of 2000
2
#2 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2000
20
#20 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2000

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. GMR Magazine
    90
    Incredible at the time, DOA2 did things the "big boys" hadn't even dreamed of. [Oct 2004, p.122]
  2. Spank!
    80
    The action is fast and exciting, the breasts still jiggle and the scene interaction could actually see you saying the word "wow!"
  3. Hot Games
    100
    One of the best looking fighters so far for the PS2, it eclipses "Street Fighter EX3" and "Tekken Tag Tournament" for beauty.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »