Dead or Alive 5
About the Game
Dead or Alive 5 is the fifth main game in Dead or Alive fighting series. The main story mode takes place two years after the events of Dead or Alive 4 . It consists of one-round fights for the different characters with cut-scenes in between. The narrative is not told in a chronological order, but mixes various characters and events into interconnected chapters.
Story & Setting
Three guest characters from the Virtual Fighter series can be unlocked and they also make a cameo appearance in the story mode: Akira, Pai and Sarah.
Gameplay & Core Systems
The training mode is much more extensive than in previous games with detailed strategies for combos, frame data and the ability to adjust the sparring partner's AI. The training mode is also taken online as an online dojo to practice with other players. In the online mode players can host tournaments for up to sixteen players and there is a spectator mode to view matches and chat with other spectators. It is possible to watch match replays, view matches between AI partners and take photographs with a fully controllable camera. Stages are still split up in multiple regions where characters can be knocked into Danger Zones.
Standout Features
- Helena Douglas: The narrative is split up in two main storylines, one where Helena Douglas rebuilds a new DOATEC to use its technology for peaceful means and another based around the hunt for Kasumi's evil clone Alpha-152.
- In the online mode players can host tournaments for up to sixteen players and there is a spectator mode to view matches and chat with other spectators.
- Stages are still split up in multiple regions where characters can be knocked into Danger Zones.
- Cliffhanger: This comes with a new Cliffhanger quick time event where a character has a last chance to not drop down and recover, but the opponent can often inflict even more damage then.
- The game retains the classic rock-paper-scissors-type interruption system where strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, holds beat strikes etc. with additional damage for successful counters.
- Entirely new is the ability to do a full sidestep to dodge incoming attacks, rather than merely re-positioning as in the previous games.
- The Critical Burst attack offers a new way to approach stunned opponents.
- Power Blow: Another novelty is the Power Blow, a powerful, charged attack that can only be accessed after dropping below 50% health.
Modes & Ways to Play
The online mode has simple matches, ranked matches and lobby matches. The training mode is much more extensive than in previous games with detailed strategies for combos, frame data and the ability to adjust the sparring partner's AI. The training mode is also taken online as an online dojo to practice with other players. In the online mode players can host tournaments for up to sixteen players and there is a spectator mode to view matches and chat with other spectators.
Player support includes Internet, Same/Split-Screen, Free-for-all / One-on-one (VS), and Team.
Presentation & Atmosphere
It is possible to watch match replays, view matches between AI partners and take photographs with a fully controllable camera. The environments contain more destructible elements and there are more details to characters during fights, such as sweat or clothes that get dirty.
