Title: Dead or Alive Xtreme 2
Genre: Sports
Platform: Xbox 360
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Microsoft
Release Date: 8th December 2006
Image Gallery
After a year since Dead or Alive 4 release, Team Ninja virtual beauties arrive again to Xbox 360. Dead or Alive Xtreme 2, sequel of the much appreciated Dead or Alive Xtreme Volleyball, take us to the New Zack island and, between a beach volleyball match and a water scooter race, we'll find the time to relax.
You'll initially enjoy the vacation, but after some time, all will became annoying and boring... Why? Let's find out...
Good morning New Zack!
Microsoft and Tecmo could not choose a better period for Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 release, offering gamers a new way to evade the cold winter and launch us in a tropical island constantly hit by sun rays and full of attractions.
New Zack island, as you've probably already understood, is the principal and unique set of this second DOA spin-off "made in" Team Ninja. Zack, one of the most...strange...fighters in DOA universe, is now a millionaire and succeeded in bring again his island, from under the sea, to surface. The singular fighter doesn't want to loose time and he invites all Dead or Alive girls to join a "Dead or Alive 5" tournament set in his island.
No need to say that this is simply an excuse to fill the island with girls who won't be able to resist the sandy beaches and the warm and clean water.
This is the short plot that explains our virtual vacation in the "pants" of Kasumi, Hitomi, Christie, Ayane and all the other DOA girls.
What will I do today?
DOAX2 game-play is based on the activities offered by the island. This is divided in several areas, accessible via a very simple main menu: every area is different from the other because of the contained mini-games. For example Niki Beach is famous for beach volleyball courts and "catch the flag" matches, while Tranquil Beach will allow you to relax being sure no one will disturb you. Furthermore, New Zack can count on the presence of many shops were our virtual girls will buy accessories like swimming costumes, hats, sunglasses or even sun creams. What's the currency? Obviously... "Zack Dollars".
The game main concept - essentially the same at the base of the prequel - is very simple: meet other girls, ask them to become your game partner, buy accessories, have fun with mini-games, go back to the hotel, enjoy the casino and go bed, ready to re-start everything the day after.
Why should we have a partner? Because only with a "friend" we'll be able to play to certain mini-games (volleyball, for example) and because searching for a partner is one of the game-challenges as we'll have to make the right gifts, and increase our "relation points".
New Zack attractions
As said, Zack island has several attractions. If the first Xbox episode of the franchise was limited to the classic Beach Volleyball and to a couple of mini-games, DOAX2 presents several new modes with which developers tried to enhance the game-play and the longevity of the title. Unfortunately, those novelties are not sufficient to make the game less annoying and repetitive.
The main novelty is represented by water scooter races that, along with Beach Volleyball matches, are the main New Zack activities. Buying a fast scooter in a sport shop, or using the given one, we will be allowed to take part to races near Niki Beach pier. The control system is simple and "arcade"-style: the "X" button and the left analogue stick are used for acrobatics and, at the race end, all the points and the gained position will be translated into useful money.
All the other new features are placed near the swimming pool and are the "tug of war", a water slide and a balance challenge. The only, and last, new mini-game not near the swimming pool is the catch the flag game that can be played in Niki Beach, Tranquil Beach and Bass Island.
After an all day game, the last thing we can do is to spend some time in the Hotel Casino where we'll find slot machines, roulettes and the most famous card games, such as Poker and Black Jack. Clearly, the casino is not so complete or great to change the game fate: every vacation will last in more or less 1 hour time and, as there are 11 girls to select, the whole game longevity is set to 11 hours, or better, 11 boring hours as even the beach volley is as arcade and simple as all the other mini-games present in the title.
DOAX2 on Xbox Live
DOAX2 is not a game to be played on Xbox Live as there are only 2 mini-games with online capabilities, motor scooter races and beach volleyball. During our tests, the matches were un-playable because of a persistent lag that affects the game-experience even when hosting.
Not so beautiful beauties...
The first episode of the game was great from a graphic point of view and DOAX2 is a worthy heir. However, the presence of some graphic glitches as, for example, the girls hairs that often penetrate shoulders and a-not-so-good self-shadowing, is not worth the graphic power of the Xbox 360.
Apart from the "bouncing" of the characters breasts and the tan effect, polygonal models and animations are not so different from the one we've seen in DOAX: thus, the overall effect is that you won't be astonished by this game if you've played the Xbox prequel.
Eventually, the game has a good sound-track and, even if it has been partially recycled from the previous episode, it succeeds in giving the game a tropical atmosphere with its Pop and Reggae music.
Final Comment
Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 has been brought to shelves too in a hurry. The idea behind the game is good, but the whole impact could have been better with more mini-games, more exploration and more girls to play with; it's a pity that we won't have the possibility to explore the island by feet. Furthermore, graphics is not worth the Xbox 360 (it is simply too similar to the prequel) and the online mode is un-playable (lag).
Hence, DOAX2 is a game probably calibrated on Japanese tastes and it simply does not match the western ones: the title is recommended only to those who want "something different".
Evaluation
Presentation: 8
Intuitive, simple to use and graphically appealing. Very detailed manual.
Game-play: 6
The problem of the title stands in its lack of variety. Mini-games are numerous but their quantity does not enhance the game quality. The control system is sometimes too simple and arcade.
Graphics: 7.9
Even if it is good and polished, the graphics is even too similar to the one used by the prequel. Team Ninja should be able to use better the Xbox 360 from this point of view.
Sound: 7
The sound-track is catchy but recycled from the previous episode. Dialogues are well-done.
Longevity: 4
After few hours you'll start being bored by the repetitive game-play.
Multiplayer factor: 5
Lag, lag and again lag. DOAX2 cannot be played online
Overall Evaluation: 5.9
Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 is a disappointment. If you're searching for a long and funny game, don't look at this title.