Dead or Alive 5

 PlayStation 3
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 121 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 82 out of 121
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 121
  3. Negative: 17 out of 121
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  1. BrahmaBull
    Sep 25, 2012
    7
    Probably the #1 thing about this DOA is that we PS3 owners finally FINALLY get a version after being passed over for Xbox. I also have SF, MK, VF, SC, and T6 and all play very differently so I won't compare DOA5 as far as fighting mechanics but I will at least say that easy level is just that on DOA if you only want a fun little beat-up session compared to so-called easy on T6 where everyProbably the #1 thing about this DOA is that we PS3 owners finally FINALLY get a version after being passed over for Xbox. I also have SF, MK, VF, SC, and T6 and all play very differently so I won't compare DOA5 as far as fighting mechanics but I will at least say that easy level is just that on DOA if you only want a fun little beat-up session compared to so-called easy on T6 where every match gets progressively more difficult based on your character's increasing rank. In short, while a game like T6 pretty much requires mastery of the previous Tekken's, you can simply pick up DOA and get right into it with very little previous experience. Graphically, T6 has the edge with models and scenery detail but DOA is breathing down its neck and is, of course, unmatched in the sexiness factor. There may not be ending sequences in arcade mode, but story mode (as far as I've gotten) has good cutscenes, decent voice acting, and where you can't enjoy any AI vs AI in T6, you can go into spectator mode with DOA and just take in the hands-free action until you're ready to join in the fun. Missed DOA since Hardcore on the PS2 and I'm glad they decided to bring it back to Sony's console again.… Expand
  2. MasterGwaha
    Sep 27, 2012
    6
    This game gets a "6" because they fighting is still solid, HOWEVER, everything else you expect about quality form this series is totally missing. The super clean and smooth menus are gone and replaced by some TAPOUT moron art designer (and they lag too), the game only runs at 720p and has NO ANTI-ALIASING!! Looks like PS1 style jaggies on the edges everywhere, and even then there are partsThis game gets a "6" because they fighting is still solid, HOWEVER, everything else you expect about quality form this series is totally missing. The super clean and smooth menus are gone and replaced by some TAPOUT moron art designer (and they lag too), the game only runs at 720p and has NO ANTI-ALIASING!! Looks like PS1 style jaggies on the edges everywhere, and even then there are parts where the frame rate (near the walls of the stages) will drop down to 15fps. The faces are better, the sweat is cool, but they are still emotionless and expressionless faces nonetheless. The boob physics are kind of messed up. They have good technical gelatinous properties, but they kid of have to gravity and seems to just float about randomly, colliding with each other and no conforming to their clothes, which is pretty lame, and makes it surprisingly less attractive than previous DOA games. It's not the same with Itagaki gone, but I have hope for the series on the next gen consoles, this game is just not up to par with its predecessors.… Expand
  3. Kadeemluvmusic
    Oct 28, 2012
    7
    Dead or Alive is still one of the best fighting game franchises for 15 years since its debut on the Playstation in 1997. I thought the new Dead or Alive 5 game was the perfect nail in the coffin to all fighting games like Street Fighter X Tekken and Tekken Tag Tournament 2. The game was great, I played the demo version. However, there's only one problem: Where's the "S" in sexy, TecmoDead or Alive is still one of the best fighting game franchises for 15 years since its debut on the Playstation in 1997. I thought the new Dead or Alive 5 game was the perfect nail in the coffin to all fighting games like Street Fighter X Tekken and Tekken Tag Tournament 2. The game was great, I played the demo version. However, there's only one problem: Where's the "S" in sexy, Tecmo Koei? Some fans were not too happy on the fact that the director of the game said he has to tone down the sexuality and add more to the flavors of the game. I agree with the fans and I want more bigger breasts so that newcomers of the game will see a much needed feminism when it comes to M-rated sexed-up titles. More nudity and more boobs = more geeks. Think of it, Lara Croft, back in the day, has one of the hugest knockers on the face of the video game world. Juliet Starling from Lollipop Chainsaw not only has the comedy and cheerleading, I wonder if her large boobs looked like a giant lollipop to lick anything that a zombie can even handle. And although I still like the DOA girls. Whether their playful on the beach, show their breasts to the camera, or still manages to throw down the gauntlet. you don't know what they are gonna have in store. The story mode is far from a disappointment, but adding new fighters like the first female MMA fighter to be appearing in a Dead or Alive game, Mila (which has a lot in common between her and Tina Armstrong, also a bonafide wrestler), and characters from DOA's console rival, Sarah Bryant, Pai Chan, and Akira Yuki from SEGA's Virtual Fighter series joining the elite lists of fighters look totally awesome. So Dead or Alive 5, is a great game. But I'm feeling that it's needs to be upgraded like scanning more big boobs.… Expand
  4. sinadoom
    May 27, 2013
    7
    It's surprising that this game has not been praised more by critics given that few Virtua-Fighter style fighting games have managed to capture the excitement of fighting games in recent years. With Street Fighter IV series dominating the 2D fighting games, Dead or Alive 5 makes for a pleasant change. Not only is this the best-looking, most detailed and best animated fighting game of allIt's surprising that this game has not been praised more by critics given that few Virtua-Fighter style fighting games have managed to capture the excitement of fighting games in recent years. With Street Fighter IV series dominating the 2D fighting games, Dead or Alive 5 makes for a pleasant change. Not only is this the best-looking, most detailed and best animated fighting game of all time, it's also very solid and easy to pick up and play. Everything from the stage graphics to character models are life-like; with good variety in stages too and enough space to fight in. The game is based on old-school mechanics of a 3-button (punch, kick, hold) triangle system. The rock-paper-scissors mechanic makes it easy to understand for beginners, and the lack of meter management, fancy super moves etc. means this game is a pure brawler rather than full of gimmicks and flashy animations. The controls and mechanics are intuitive and easy to grasp without the need for a tutorial. However, despite the simple controls and easy execution, the game is quite deep and satisfying to play regardless of your skill level. You can also play this game cooperatively with up to 4 players, since there is tag match where it's 2vs2. All the elements of a modern fighting game are present. Trials (command training), time attack, survival, arcade mode, story mode, online, replay channel, titles etc. My only criticisms of this game are that there isn't enough variety in the characters, but this is excusable given that in these kind of fighting games differences are naturally more subtle than for 2D ones with special moves and such. Also, at beginner level, it's difficult to judge when to attack after blocking since there's no clear visual indication of active frames. All in all though, DOA5 is by far one of the most fun, exciting and high quality fighting games available.… Expand
  5. darkwraith
    Oct 4, 2012
    7
    Dead or alive 5 continues the series and is the first version to appear on this generations consoles. the last being the excellent and better dead or alive dimensions on handheld console. graphically DOA 5 looks ok but for the most part never as beautiful as its rivals,or even dimensions looks better. -Giving DOA 5 a slightly dated look. The characters for the most part look good butDead or alive 5 continues the series and is the first version to appear on this generations consoles. the last being the excellent and better dead or alive dimensions on handheld console. graphically DOA 5 looks ok but for the most part never as beautiful as its rivals,or even dimensions looks better. -Giving DOA 5 a slightly dated look. The characters for the most part look good but they have not really aged, and some fighters like tina look even younger than in DOA 4 . wether this is just to appeal to the target audience im not sure but its time DOA,s fighters grew up. The fighting mechanic is as good as always and is introduced with a tutorial,story mode. slightly shy on modes DoA 5 is made up of arcade fight, versus fight, online fight, team fight,and survival. no team fight online which would be good. I have had the game freezing for 5 or more seconds even in offline mode. but this is easily fixed by turning of incoming challengers or throw downs as DoA calls them. A patch is due soon. Over-all DOA 5 preserves the spirit of the series and is an ok if not brilliant addition. Not really enough new features for it too be up there with the best. Over- all i would say this game is one for fans of the series,… Expand
  6. Pixcelation
    Aug 10, 2013
    7
    This review was originally published on www.Pixcelation.com by Andrew Korkmas.

    I don’t like most fighting games nowadays. I feel like genre itself has dug itself into a hole and just relied on gimmicks like stages with obstacles that just get in the way of the fight and making the different character’s moves and combos more and more difficult and convoluted just to name a few. That    This review was originally published on www.Pixcelation.com by Andrew Korkmas.

    I don’t like most fighting games nowadays. I feel like genre itself has dug itself into a hole and just relied on gimmicks like stages with obstacles that just get in the way of the fight and making the different character’s moves and combos more and more difficult and convoluted just to name a few. That being said, one fighting game from what will soon be the last generation that I did like was “Dead or Alive 4.” The fighting controls and dynamics were easy to pick up and worked far better than you’d expect and as anyone familiar with the series would know there are, well, other things you can find entertainment from in the series. It was by no means a perfect game but it fun game on it’s own and a great early 360 game since it came out a near month after the release of the console. It was with this thought (and the fact that it was only $15) that I gave “Dead or Alive 5” a shot with my cousin this weekend and while I still liked parts of it, I think Team Ninja has forgotten what makes the series great (besides the almost naked women in it…)

    “Dead or Alive 5” tries to put more of an emphasis on story. This is apparent when you give the story mode a go and see that it’s got more cutscenes in it than every other fighting game ever combined. Unfortunately, the story isn’t very good because it doesn’t make a lick of sense. Characters fight each other for the smallest of reasons and sometimes, for seemingly no reason. There were several instances where the cutscene made it appear as if two characters were getting along fine, only to have the next fight be between the same two characters. When I got to the end, I was so confused. I had no idea how every character’s arcs were connected and what happened to each one, nor what the real significance of the conclusion was. A certain character even dies near the end, only to show up in almost every cutscene that follows. I appreciate that Team Ninja tried to actually make a fighting game with an actually good story (which is something that seems to never happen) but everything was way too convoluted and the writing (especially the dialogue) was far from good.

    Speaking on the technical side of things, “Dead or Alive 5” impresses. Character models are by far the best the series has seen yet and just all around good for a late console era fighting game. While I did rag on the story mode for not having a good story to tell, the cutscene graphics are actually pretty damn good looking. The only issue is that several of the game’s physics and how it reacts with the character’s hair or dresses are kinda wonky. This is a pretty common flaw in most video games and normally I wouldn’t make a big deal out of it but when it’s a game like this where the look makes all the difference I can’t not take off points for it.

    On the gameplay side, things are must more frustrating. Gone is the simplistic style of “Dead or Alive 4” and instead it has a much more complicated and annoying fight system just like every other popular fighting game. Thus learning the new mechanics is a pain in the ass, even with the tutorials during the campaign and the training mode. Holds and especially throws are a to pull off yet the computer can get them constantly on the harder difficulties. Keep in mind, throws were previously easy as hell to do but now, it just seems like the game is punishing anyone who either doesn’t have a fight-stick or whose brain works as fast as the world’s fastest supercomputer.

    The load times are a minor annoyance. They are annoyingly long unless you install it to your hard drive. One minor thing I did like though is the cross-play option and how you can get invites to matches while just playing through the story or other offline modes and the near seamless transition (even if some of the online’s connectivity is rather lacking).

    I’m sure the dedicated fighting enthusiast will ignore these issues and dive in but I miss when fighting games used to be fairly accessible to casual play. Now that “Dead or Alive” is out, the only game series I can think of that fits that description is the “Smash Bros.” series, the very same series that apparently thinks having the Wii Fit Trainer as a character was in no way an idiotic decision. I still enjoyed playing the game to a point, but it certainly hasn’t improved my outlook on the genre and even the traditional inclusion of Ryu Hayabusa and other “Ninja Gaiden” characters wasn’t really enough to change my mind.

    “Dead or Alive 5” gets a 7/10.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

82
#82 Best PS3 Game of 2012
63
#63 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2012
78
#78 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Dec 12, 2012
    85
    Dead or Alive 5 is a solid beat'em up. It has great visuals, and the intricacies of the gameplay entice both the novice and the expert alike. [Dec 2012]
  2. Thunderbolt
    Nov 15, 2012
    70
    Dead or Alive 5 is just as unique as it is awkward. On the surface it still wants to be the kooky, over-the-top brawler that is known more for its breasts than it is its fists. However, underneath that façade is a high-quality fighter still struggling for acceptance within the fighting game community.
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  3. Hyper Magazine
    Nov 14, 2012
    70
    DOA5 plays it too safe, coming across as more of a revision or remake of DOA4 than a full sequel in its own right. [Dec 2012]
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