Def Jam Icon Preview [XBox 360]

[torrefaction]

TeamXbox (http://www.teamxbox.com) has a preview (http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1509/Def-Jam-Icon/p1/) of Def Jam Icon from CES.

The title's big "gimmick" is how it uses music to actually change the way the game itself is played. The environment will change with every beat, with some triggering hazards and some merely making everything jump a little bit. For instance, after I tossed my foe into a gas pump, it ruptured, causing flames to spew into the air on every beat. The next time I grabbed him and threw him in that direction he was engulfed in flames, damaging him even more than before. In an interesting touch, you can actually "scratch" the music like it's on a turntable, delaying the beat until just the right moment. Best of all, you can import your own music, meaning it won't be the same every time out.

As sure as I was that the original game would be garbage, this was one of my favorite fighting games ever. It was brutal, it had depth, it was easy to pick up, and it was fun. I'm looking forward to this title quite a bit

[disc]

Hmm that sounds interesting. How odd, I hate wrestling games.

[11thfinger]

Both Def Jam games have been surprisingly awesome, some of my favorite fighters of all time.

[dena miscreant]

Vendetta reminded me of WCW vs. nWo Revenge. But better.

And then Fight for NY came out.

I want Icon soooo bad. Is it not coming out on PS3, anymore?

[Food Nipple]

I'm really on the fence about this game. From what I understand, the previous two (excellent) Def Jam games were developed by AKI, the makers of all the kick ass N64 Wrestling games. The new one is being done by EA Chichago instead, with a new developer at the helm there's no guarentee that the game will be as good as the previous ones. The whole fighting to the beat thing seems interesting, and from what i've heard the skyscrapers in the background even bounce and sway to the beat of the music, even custom soundtracks.

They've got me interested, now let's just hope the game is fun.

[KamaItachi]

It's weird how many people swear by the Def Jam games, even friends who have no interest in the whole music scene. I've been reading some fair praise for how the music and beat affects how the game plays and flows and I think it'll be very interesting to see how it plays out, it could turn into one of the most innovative things we've seen in games in ages.

[childish]

they keep getting better and better...and with this new fusion of fighting and actual music(not just rappers) is brilliant...and the fact i can play my own music and use this same feature is unbelievable. as it looks now this might be one of the top 10 360 games out in 07...maybe even top 5...i just wish i could use ol dirty bastard as a fighter...drunken monk baby

[DesignerKid]

The series has gone in a completely different direction and only shares the same name. You have been warned. This is not your grandma's Def Jam.

[WastelandDan]

Def Jam was the game where you did all your fighting with rappers right? Unless I can represent as Chuck C, the Beastie Boys, or any of the guys from Run DMC then I just can't get the interest up.

[dena miscreant]

The series has gone in a completely different direction and only shares the same name. You have been warned. This is not your grandma's Def Jam.

The combat did look a little odd in the gameplay video.

But it doesn't look like a completely different direction.

Looks pretty much the same.

[dena miscreant]

I want crowds handing me weapons and helping me beat fools down, too. And a Subway level.

Environmental finishers are cool.

[Lekon]

I liked Def Jam one, and STILL play Dev Jam Vendetta on a semi regular basis. Its just... always fun to make a new fighter and randomly throw together some fighting styles. There were even a few hidden ones as I recall, such as Drunken Boxing if you took 3 styles in a certain order.

That this one isn't developed by the same guys is a bit worrisome, but, I'm still interested, especially if you can bring in your own music tracks. The potential for abuse on that on xbox live though is astounding.

[Disgustipated]

Def Jam: Fight for NY is one of my favorite fighters. Beating the shit out of Snoop Dogg is so satisfying. Awesome game, and if Icon is as good, I'm gonna get it.

[pseudopseudo]

I'd have to jump on the Def Jam love bandwagon. I loved Def Jam: Fight For New York so much that even though I'd played completely through it on the Xbox, I bought it when it came out on PSP and played through it again. (Although I sorely missed the Ring of Fire match from the original.)

I'm looking forward to this, for sure.

[JimmyDanger]

I've been into this since DJV1.

This looks fucking awesome.

And I'm very excited, and just wish to share my excitements with fellow afficionados -

"yay"

[J Arcane]

I think Fight for NY was the greatest fighting game ever made.

I will not be interested in this game however. The decision to dump both AKI as developer, and AKI's engine, means I can no longer expect the game to even bear any resemblance to the game I enjoyed so much.

Standard EA cost cutting measures, using an in house developer, and recycling the engine from an in house game (Fight Night), with the end result likely to be crap, frankly.

[Ultima Thulian]

The idea that the stages act according to the beat of the music sounds really cool. I loved Fight for NY, so this is on my watchlist. This and Burnout 5 and Army of Two are all of the other EA games I'm watching.

[gzsfrk]

Standard EA cost cutting measures, using an in house developer, and recycling the engine from an in house game (Fight Night), with the end result likely to be crap, frankly.

I share your concerns, but I think I'll maintain a little bit of optimism to see how it starts shaking out before I invest too much in the gloom and doom.

And yes, like many others, I think the Def Jam games are some of my favorites of all time, despite my general abhorrence of the hip-hop genre. Of course, I was no metal fan either... until Guitar Hero. :) Maybe the big music companies should start investing more in the games industry to get their tracks in some A-AAA titles; might just boost sales.