DOA4 Examined

[Vandenh]

Reviews are coming in for the new Dead or Alive game. IGN (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/678/678269p1.html) is first out of the blocks.

For starters, the speed with which each of the characters moves is incredible. This game blazes away at 60 FPS with nary a hitch, and the art team worked diligently to create smooth animations that blend between every move, fall, throw, and taunt. With the powerful Xbox 360 grinding away in the background, Itagaki and team have created a fighter that will satisfy your twitchy split-second demands without any issues. Oh yeah, and DOA4 loads in four seconds. Yes, it will load in four seconds from any mode of play.

[fitbabits]

I just don't 'get' fighting games. I've played pretty much all of them from Yie Ar Kung Fu and Way of the Exploding Fist up to the latest versions of DoA, Tekken, Soul Calibur, etc. Yet I still don't get it! Still, I'm sure that DoA 4 will please the many fighting fans out there.

What am I missing?

[notcivx]

You just don't like fighting games. Simple as that.

[TrackZero]

I just don't 'get' fighting games. I've played pretty much all of them from Yie Ar Kung Fu and Way of the Exploding Fist up to the latest versions of DoA, Tekken, Soul Calibur, etc. Yet I still don't get it! Still, I'm sure that DoA 4 will please the many fighting fans out there.

What am I missing?

Beats me. I enjoy a good fighter.

[thecrazyd]

I also enjoy a good fighter. Which is why I do not buy DOA games.

[fitbabits]

You just don't like fighting games. Simple as that.
But the thing is (and I should have made this point in my original post), I absolutely LOVE games and can usually find something in any given genre to keep me occupied for at least a little while.

Have I had too much eggnog?

[doubtingthomas]

I loved them when I was in/just out of college and had roommates. But now, playing one by myself has no appeal. Even over XboxLive, it's not the same.

[Vandenh]

Well i am also not into fighters... they are big in Asia though ;)

I love some 2D fighters.... Vampire Hunter series.

[Heretic Machine]

I also enjoy a good fighter. Which is why I do not buy DOA games.

Bleh, whatever. DoA is the only 3D fighter I bother with. Most of them try too hard to hold on to the 2D fighting style in a 3D enviroment and it just doesn't work. At the very least DoA tries to move on to something built for 3D.

Besides... I love me some unlockables.

[Kelegacy]

I just don't 'get' fighting games. I've played pretty much all of them from Yie Ar Kung Fu and Way of the Exploding Fist up to the latest versions of DoA, Tekken, Soul Calibur, etc. Yet I still don't get it! Still, I'm sure that DoA 4 will please the many fighting fans out there.

What am I missing?
I don't overly enjoy fighters either, fitbabits. Don't feel bad. Something about memorization and combos really doesn't interest me. I just end up mashing buttons like a spaz. I still own the really good games like Soul Calibur, VF4 Evo, and even Tekken 5, but I can't really appreciate them as I can other genres. It's just a taste thing, I believe.

I also enjoy a good fighter. Which is why I do not buy DOA games.

Haha, touche. I have never played a DOA game though, so I shouldn't laugh. I wonder sometimes how much the appeal of breasts adds to the fanbase, though.

[fitbabits]

I don't overly enjoy fighters either, fitbabits. Don't feel bad. Something about memorization and combos really doesn't interest me. I just end up mashing buttons like a spaz. I still own the really good games like Soul Calibur, VF4 Evo, and even Tekken 5, but I can't really appreciate them as I can other genres. It's just a taste thing, I believe.
I believe you just hit the nail on the head, Kelegacy. It's the button-mashing and memorization that bothers me. And I also own all the 'big name' fighting games, oddly enough.

Thank you!

[zangster]

I'm interested to see the Japanese sales numbers now that DOA4 is out. Anybody seen any preliminary numbers.

[EvilBob46]

Considering the 10/10 GamePro gave this game, a 9.0 from IGN seems quite low. How many games this console generation have scored that on IGN? I'm betting almost 400 if you look at all the 9'ers on Xbox alone.

[Heretic Machine]

IGN reviews are assigned at random. Their scale doesn't go lower than 8.5 however, so everything ends up pretty high anyway.

[Borys]

Garou: Mark of the Wolves is everything I've ever wanted in a fighter. I dreamed about game like that since launching Street Fighter 2 for the first time ever on Amiga 500.

I *hate* 3D fighters - Tekkens, Soul Caliburs, Virtua Fighters etc. all the same to me - slow, boring and unresponsive.

[AbeLincoln]

I probably got into fighters and enjoy them so much because I had a brother to play with who was right there all the time. I almost never play them alone. We enjoyed Soul Calibur and especially Rival Schools 2 on the Dreamcast, also Last Blade 2 on a neo-geo emulator was good times. We got into to DOA on the dreamcast as well and the reason was the 4 player ability. 4 player tag matches in the same room make it fun, and it was hard to find a game to play with 4 people that was like that so, while I acknowledge that DOA isn't the greatest fighting game ever, I look forward to each new one, and can't wait till one of my friends gets a 360 and this. Maybe fitbabits just needed a sibling to beat up on?

[Paranoia]

I just don't 'get' fighting games. I've played pretty much all of them from Yie Ar Kung Fu and Way of the Exploding Fist up to the latest versions of DoA, Tekken, Soul Calibur, etc. Yet I still don't get it! Still, I'm sure that DoA 4 will please the many fighting fans out there.

What am I missing?

I could say the same thing about RPG games, which I don't "get" why that kind of game can be fun when all you do is buy magic, weapons, upgrade skills/weapons, etc.

Am I missing something too?

[captainspankypants]

The only fighting games I've ever really liked are the Samurai Shodown games. They focus very little on combos and memorization, and instead emphasize looking for openings and placing one good, solid strike. You can kill a guy in two regular attacks for some characters.

Actually, that reminds me. I like the Bushido Blade games too.

Pretty much every other fighter is too much memorization and work for my tastes.

[fitbabits]

I could say the same thing about RPG games, which I don't "get" why that kind of game can be fun when all you do is buy magic, weapons, upgrade skills/weapons, etc.

Am I missing something too?
Obviously, yes.

[Kelegacy]

The only fighting games I've ever really liked are the Samurai Shodown games. They focus very little on combos and memorization, and instead emphasize looking for openings and placing one good, solid strike. You can kill a guy in two regular attacks for some characters.

Actually, that reminds me. I like the Bushido Blade games too.

Pretty much every other fighter is too much memorization and work for my tastes.
Ah, Bushido Blade. Games where one hit can kill or maim you is where it's at for me. Much more realistic and adds to the spontaneous, unpredictable fun that real-life fights tend to display.

I've never been in a knife fight, but I'm sure luck is as much a factor as raw skill.

[Lekon]

Garou: Mark of the Wolves is everything I've ever wanted in a fighter. I dreamed about game like that since launching Street Fighter 2 for the first time ever on Amiga 500.

I *hate* 3D fighters - Tekkens, Soul Caliburs, Virtua Fighters etc. all the same to me - slow, boring and unresponsive.

Captianspankypants also said something like this, so I'll chime in that my favorite fighting games are the old 2d SNK ones, and even some of the newer ones. I'd highly suggest finding a copy of the latest one, NeoGeo Battle Coloseum, as its pretty bloody fast and has about 45 characters from all the different SNK games. On that note, if you liked the Samurai Showdowns (Four was my favorite) Have you tried Last Blade/Last Blade 2? They were both awesome Samurai Style games from the Neo Geo, there are probably easy to find Roms out there if your arcades don't have them.


I actually DO like DoA, since DoA2 at least, and not for the bewbs. What I like most about it is the countering system, that let me get a big strong character like Leon (The Russian military guy) and actually be able to stand against the little combo fiend button mashers at arcades or at our local comic shop. I could Hold, wait for them to try the fancy 8 hit combo, and break their arm on the second or third hit by remembering where it would be. Felt... refreshing.

[AniAko]

I've always been a HUGE fan of 2-D fighters followed with a close second by Soul Calibur. I own all the DOAs, but nothing, like nothing is more enjoyable to me than firing up StreetFighter 2:TE, a StreetFighter:Alpha title, X-Men:Children of the Atom, Marvel SuperHeroes, X-Men vs. StreetFighter, Marvel vs. StreetFighter, Marvel vs. Capcom, and the tour de force Marvel vs. Capcom 2. Now we just need a more up to date capcom fighter for the 360........

[Lekon]

Ah, Bushido Blade. Games where one hit can kill or maim you is where it's at for me. Much more realistic and adds to the spontaneous, unpredictable fun that real-life fights tend to display.

I've never been in a knife fight, but I'm sure luck is as much a factor as raw skill.


Just to comment: Why the hell hasn't another Bushido Blade been made? Theres a game that screams for an online mode. The only thing I've found even close to BB is Way of the Samurai, but even that has some health meter stuff in it.

[Citizen Philip]

Don't like fighters either. But everything loading in 4 seconds and nice transitional animation sounds just about perfect for any game.

[fitbabits]

Ah, Bushido Blade. Games where one hit can kill or maim you is where it's at for me. Much more realistic and adds to the spontaneous, unpredictable fun that real-life fights tend to display.

I've never been in a knife fight, but I'm sure luck is as much a factor as raw skill.
Ooh, I also liked Bushido Blade on the PS1. In fact, I may go search for it this minute.

[Morratut]

I love fighters. My personal favorite is the Soul Calibur series though. I like DOA games but I just don't like the way you can't move around as much unlike SCII.

I'm still gonna buy this though.

Its funny also how people don't get certain genres. For me its offline or online rpgs. Shame really cos I know there is some good games like WoW and KoToR etc. I feel guilty for not liking them :D

[AniAko]

Just to comment: Why the hell hasn't another Bushido Blade been made? Theres a game that screams for an online mode. The only thing I've found even close to BB is Way of the Samurai, but even that has some health meter stuff in it.

What about a MMO Bushido Blade? You and 80 other people running through the bamboo forests in a deathmatch ninja style war? Indeed, I played hours and hours of Bushido blade as well. What a fantastic title

[Paranoia]

3D all the way, 2D looks less spectacular.

[Okamura_Takashi]

Garou: Mark of the Wolves is everything I've ever wanted in a fighter. I dreamed about game like that since launching Street Fighter 2 for the first time ever on Amiga 500.

I *hate* 3D fighters - Tekkens, Soul Caliburs, Virtua Fighters etc. all the same to me - slow, boring and unresponsive.

We were playing that daily, at lunch and at dinner, at my workplace non-stop for the last couple of months. Then Mario Kart DS came along and we haven't gone back...

Tried out DOA4 today and it was okay but all the female characters look the same and there's nothing in it that can't be done on the Xbox.

Although, it IS a fighting game and there's only so much you CAN do with it.

[fitbabits]

3D all the way, 2D looks less spectacular.
2D may look less spectacular, but it often plays better when it comes to figthing games.

[thecrazyd]

3D all the way, 2D looks less spectacular.
You obviously have not played Guilty Gear.

[automaton]

I played the gamut of fighting games way back when Mortal Kombat and SF2 were all the rage. I loved those games, but the amount of time you have to invest to learn the character moves and stuff is just too much.

[absolut taco]

Now we just need a more up to date capcom fighter for the 360........
Sounds like a good idea for the Xbox Live Arcade!

[The Iron Weasel]

When I get a 360 I'll probably get this, I've only enjoyed Soul Calibur lately, but I tried a demo for DoA3 a while back and really enjoyed it, maybe its because I suck at fighting games and this one was just easy to pick up an play.

[president_fred]

We need a new bushido blade, seriously, have enjoyed fighting games since but I want that circling each other before placing the deadly move kind of feeling you just don't get with normal fighters. God, I think I may have to go initiate a knife fight with my brother, be a good way to say good bye to the family.

[Heretic Machine]

2D may look less spectacular, but it often plays better when it comes to figthing games.

They are two different genres, comparing them is silly. Do we compare Quake 4 and Geometry Wars? They are both "shooters" you know?

[fitbabits]

They are two different genres, comparing them is silly. Do we compare Quake 4 and Geometry Wars? They are both "shooters" you know?
Hmm, while I agree with you to a point, the fact is that the overall game mechanic is the same between, say, Way of the Exploding Fist and DoA. I'm not comparing apples to oranges, I'm comparing organic to genetically modified. Or something. :o

[AntB]

I find most 3D fighting games unresponsive, the tekken series mainly and mortal combat... I love my Soul Calibur and Virtua Fighter though!

This looks like fun, I'm going to try it out whenever I get a 360!

[Reanimated]

*yawn*

Just another AAA Xbox 360 game.

[Kelegacy]

They are two different genres, comparing them is silly. Do we compare Quake 4 and Geometry Wars? They are both "shooters" you know?
I think your loose comparison of Q4 and GW is a little off base. Comparing 2D fighters with 3D fighters is like comparing Super Mario World for SNES to Super Mario 64. One is in 3D, one is not, but both share very similar mechanics. The genre is the same, whereas Quake is a First Person Shooter and Geometry Wars is something entirely different.

[danhoo]

You obviously have not played Guilty Gear.

The GG series is excellent, albeit the characters are pretty quirky.

For me, 3D fighters feel too "fast" compared to old clunky 2D fighters. This probably has something to do with the more complicated move lists (or my inability to memorize them), moving in 3D, etc. Of all the 3D fighters I've played, none really have re-invoked good old fashioned taunt fests with buddies like Street Fighter 2 used to.

[Com_Gaunt]

Hmm, while I agree with you to a point, the fact is that the overall game mechanic is the same between, say, Way of the Exploding Fist and DoA

Fitbabits, did you have a speccy or were you were a part of the Evil Commodore empire?

On the subject of Fighters, I immensly enjoyed Kengo on the PS2... it was a Samurai fighting game which in my opinion required some skill.... it had all these little subgames to improve statistics and shit... did they ever make a Kengo 2 or 3?

[fitbabits]

Fitbabits, did you have a speccy or were you were a part of the Evil Commodore empire?

On the subject of Fighters, I immensly enjoyed Kengo on the PS2... it was a Samurai fighting game which in my opinion required some skill.... it had all these little subgames to improve statistics and shit... did they ever make a Kengo 2 or 3?
Speccy all the way, Com_Gaunt! I take it you, too, were on the Speccy train?

Edit - Lookie here (http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/launchreview.asp?reviewid=354659).

[Com_Gaunt]

Speccy all the way, Com_Gaunt! I take it you, too, were on the Speccy train?

Yep, I was aboard!
Those were the days, I remember getting Exolon for christmas a couple of years (18?) back ;) and buying the Sinclair User every month :)
Laser Squad, Elite, Target Renegade, all those great games.
And I did'nt give a fuck if it took a while to load you know, gave you time to read or get a cuppa tea

[Heretic Machine]

I think your loose comparison of Q4 and GW is a little off base. Comparing 2D fighters with 3D fighters is like comparing Super Mario World for SNES to Super Mario 64. One is in 3D, one is not, but both share very similar mechanics. The genre is the same, whereas Quake is a First Person Shooter and Geometry Wars is something entirely different.

Not really. While RPG's can be considered to be the same genre whether they are 2D or 3D, the gameplay of a platformer, shooter, or fighter is so radically different in 3D that they should be considered different genres. If you don't believe me, just look at how many people like 2D fighters and not 3D fighters. Just my opinion of course, genres are subjective, but still...

[Mozain]

Ahhh, fighters. My game style of choice, well actually I have two that I excel at, fighters and tactic's RPGs. You cannot talk fighters without GG (Best fighter ever) and though I lothe the X-box I will be buying one as soon as I can for DOA4 (Since I have bought all the others). I should note that I bought the original X-Box for GGXX: Reloaded because my friend was all into Live! and said that it would work perfectly online. Yah that was a stupid mistake since the X-box controler is inherintly horrible for fighting games and Live for that game is pretty much non-existant and laggy to the point it is unplayable. Either way I still enjoy it (Except I bought Joysticks to play with). Oh, and though I play and own a great deal of fighting games, I still feel 2D > 3D. BTW Samurai Showdown V on the 10th! Anyone excited? I am!

[absolut taco]

Speccy all the way, Com_Gaunt! I take it you, too, were on the Speccy train?
That machine (ZX Spectrum) must have had the worst graphics in the history of games. My C-128 on the other hand was the shit! I'm just kidding but doesn't that sound like the stupid fanboy wars?

[baz]

To enjoy a fighter you just need a few people to play it with. When I was living with 4 other guys at Uni, fighters were awesome, you could have a bash at each other when chilling out in the lounge. I have my dreamcast at work now with Soul Calibur, and thats pretty sweet too.

[fitbabits]

That machine (ZX Spectrum) must have had the worst graphics in the history of games. My C-128 on the other hand was the shit! I'm just kidding but doesn't that sound like the stupid fanboy wars?
Dude, the Spectrum rocked! Granted, the games looked horrible (for the most part), but I've seldom had as much fun with a computer or console! And the rubber keys were splendid! :)

[Com_Gaunt]

All I can find is a Kengo 3 import on Ebay... it does not look that Kengo 2 got released in the US.


That machine (ZX Spectrum) must have had the worst graphics in the history of games. My C-128 on the other hand was the shit! I'm just kidding but doesn't that sound like the stupid fanboy wars?

I loved my speccy dearly :)
And why did the speccy rock? Playability!

[GrinR]

The best fighting game I have ever played was also most obscure. It was never released domestically. Tobal 2. Incredibly fluid and responsive, without being jerky or combo-based, you could pick up the fighting "system" in short order at which point it all came down to timing and sussing out your opponent. Anyone who's played Tobal 2 (for the PS1, btw) against a friend knows what I'm talking about. It was fucking solid gold.

[Heretic Machine]

I had the original Tobal... They must of really improved the sequel if you think it's that good, because the original was mediocre at best.

[Vandenh]

Speccy all the way, Com_Gaunt! I take it you, too, were on the Speccy train?

/Hugs fellow Speccy fans!

[Salamande]

To enjoy a fighter you just need a few people to play it with. When I was living with 4 other guys at Uni, fighters were awesome, you could have a bash at each other when chilling out in the lounge.

I think you really hit the nail on the head with this one. The thing about fighters is, while you can theoretically play the computer and have a good time (especially with unlockables, see thread subject...), they really shine when you have competition. And the closer to your own skill level, the better, because getting reamed by someone who's obviously way better than you is the quickest way to get turned off of fighting games for good -- I've seen it happen.

It's kind of a shame that the arcade scene is waning, because a big part of what makes the fighting genre so fun is disappearing with it. Personally, I'm a Soul Calibur man myself (although I'm starting to warm to Neo Geo Battle Colisseum), but I can remember those hazy college days when a group of about ten of us would all gather to play Marvel Super Heroes and Xmen vs. Street Fighter between classes. I've also gotten my ass turned inside out in tournaments, but I always had a good time, and I always learned something. Even so, friendly competition and having a regular group that plays together are the best ways to enjoy a fighter.

/Astaroth 4 life
//Ivy can come too
///but Voldo just wants to watch

[Heretic Machine]

Although I can appreciate the sentimental value of an arcade, and do visit one myself on occassion, I don't think they are practical these days. The level of home technology has jumped so drastically that paying exuberant prices to play a game for a minute or two just doesn't cut it anymore. With online gaming becoming more and more prolific, do we really need to take a trip out to an arcade anymore?

Just my opinion, but I think arcades are more novelty than anything. Though I do love pinball... oh do I love pinball.

[thecrazyd]

Although I can appreciate the sentimental value of an arcade, and do visit one myself on occassion, I don't think they are practical these days. The level of home technology has jumped so drastically that paying exuberant prices to play a game for a minute or two just doesn't cut it anymore. With online gaming becoming more and more prolific, do we really need to take a trip out to an arcade anymore?

Just my opinion, but I think arcades are more novelty than anything. Though I do love pinball... oh do I love pinball.
With the Internet, you lose the entire social interaction of arcades. I would still go, if they didn't keep raising the prices. After I saw a credit for Tekken 4 costing $1.00, I decided to not go back. I would never play a fighter online, as for me, most of the fun is the social aspect.

[Salamande]

Yep, novelty's what the arcade's all about these days, not that that's a bad thing. There's nothing like having 2 heavy-duty DDR pads hooked up to a booming sound system with a throng of people crowding around...or using a full-sized sniper rifle, complete with scope, to headshot criminals...or driving around in a life-sized taxi trying to make some "crazy money". These kinds of experiences are exclusive to the arcade unless you have thousands of dollars to burn, or are willing to settle for a watered-down version of the real deal. Practical? Nah. Exciting? Absolutely.

Unfortunately, as thecrazyd said, the cost of entry is growing disturbingly high. It's no longer trivial for kids to stop by the arcade after school to get in a few rounds when each game can cost 75 cents or more. Maybe operators should start using a "Nickel City" type deal, with an up front cost at the door and cheap (or free) games thereafter. I'm not sure if it could work with the most recent games, though, and since people can be assholes, there'd have to be some kind of queueing system. It's a thought.

Oh, yeah:

Originally posted by Perigon
Though I do love pinball... oh do I love pinball.
There's literally only one company in the entire world that still makes new pinball tables: Stern Pinball (http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/mar2005/sb20050331_4850_sb040.htm) . Hope they can stay afloat. Maybe they should make a "pinball maintenance" college degree...I hear those things break down all the time. Could be a new industry...

[GrinR]

I had the original Tobal... They must of really improved the sequel if you think it's that good, because the original was mediocre at best.

There is no comparison. I went and got Tobal just to see - it's totally different.

Tobal 2 had an incredible fluid fighting system.

[Heretic Machine]

There is no comparison. I went and got Tobal just to see - it's totally different.

Tobal 2 had an incredible fluid fighting system.

Good to know, though I'm not one for imports. I did see potential in the original Tobal, but it had some serious polish issues.

[dr_wily]

odd layout in the review.. sorta a rant instead of broken down. weird and un-ign

until i see it in action im gonna give a big meh.
it looks like barbie dolls made out of tnt, sweating nitro glycerin.. with those cold, dead, unmoving eyes.

Sorta creeps me out. Either choose real or cartoon, this inbetween shit (specially with ultra real backgrounds) is just scary.

[mister_slim]

Did they fix the fabric physics?

[Hagetaka]

Mmmm, Bushido Blade. Theres a name I havent heard in a while. Though, the camera did get kinda.. awkward at times, there was nothing better than chucking a rapier at someone, or, various other weapons.

/highway man rocks..
//Budokai 3 anyone?

[Sensei-X]

I had the original Tobal... They must of really improved the sequel if you think it's that good, because the original was mediocre at best.

Ah Tobal No.1, that brings back memories. For the longest time people I knew would jokingly refer to it as "That free game you got when you bought the FFVII demo".

[Pantsmonkey]

Last Blade 1 and 2
Samurai Shows
Killer Instinct 1,2
MK, MK2, UMK3
Street Fighter 2 3 Aplhas etc etc
OMF 2092
Clayfighters
Art of Fighting
Fatal Fury
MVC1 and 2 on the DC.
Kung Ku Chaos (no super deep gameplay wise but I rate this game as amazing I really hope it gets a knock off 2.0 treatmeant as it was irirtatingly perfect)

Ive played all those games for probably months of my life playing mostly with heaps and heaps of friends / family members I used to live in remote Australia before moving nearer the coast and it was rare that you could pickup a 2D fighter that someone else would be "noob" enough at and willing to start learning how to play so that you actually got to build a really competative gaming situation.

Sure il play 2D 3D figthers against CPU but its a bit it feals a bit dead playing a reaction that could beat you perfectly for the most part and all said and done just lets you win.

Without a few decent apponants (Used to live in a huge sharehouse with 6 other folks that loved fighting games you don't really get the whole magic of the fighting game.

By the same token if you own at Fighter X after being comprehensivly smashed P2 gets bored as do you for smashing them constantly.

I wouldnt mind a completly new fighter that made me learn all over again.

XBOXlive sounds awesome for 2D/3D fighters I love the idea of having a list of oponants ready and waiting but I think it would still be missing something if they were not sitting next to me.

[Adam Blue]

Ohh....nice discussion. I'm a huge fighting game fan. Tobal 2 was great...they also made the game Kakuto Chojin(don't feel like looking up the spelling). That and Tao Feng were both great games. The thing is there are certain fighting games out there that require more than just fighting to play. You have to learn characters and moves. Tao Feng is an amazing game if you get the fighting system down. Also a fighting game can be two unique experiences. First, is the button mashing. You might like it or you might not...but then once you learn to really fight and not mash, it's a totally different experience. For me, Soul Calibur was a fantastic fighting game....then they fucked up with the other two and toned down on the required skill level. We all know why, but that's an entirely different discussion.

But the best of the bunch is DoA. It has the best fighting system.

2D fighters are good, but I prefer anything SNK over Capcom anyday.

[Mojopin]

I'm in shock not many has mentioned VF, I guess it's only for the truly hardcore. =P

[Borys]

ZX Spectrum was shit, folks.

Timex 2048 was THE shit :) I owned one and laughed at all the ZX fans.

Exolon, Knight Lore - 2 of my best Timex games ever.

Then I got a C64 but that's another story :)

[president_fred]

I'm in shock not many has mentioned VF, I guess it's only for the truly hardcore. =P
VF is my favorite 3d fightaargh series, but I know they will make follow ups to that. What I don't know is whether BB will get a sequel.
Oh and PS. I own your ass, Akira FTW ;)

[Vandenh]

>Timex 2048 was THE shit I owned one and laughed at all the ZX fans.

Well we couldn't buy that one.. only in Poland and Portugal ;)

[Borys]

Well we couldn't buy that one.. only in Poland and Portugal ;)

Yeah I know, weird isn't it?

It was a communist (eastern block) version of Speccy, wasn't it?

[Vandenh]

>It was a communist (eastern block) version of Speccy, wasn't it?

Strangly it was made by a Portugese company and they could only sell it in countries where the original ZX wasn't sold (*only* Poland and Portugal???). Weird weird. I remember playing around with one at the Sinclair convention in London and it had a great keyboard.

[absolut taco]

Anyone remember the Conan game where you could lop the head off someone and then some gollum-looking troll came and kicked the head and dragged the body off-screen. It was the most boring fighter ever but I would love to see a DOA4-style game with weapons that actually do some damage.

[Heretic Machine]

So I got DoA 4 this morning... Great gameplay, but I have two complaints:

1. The lobby is worthless. You can't be in the lobby while still being in line to play.

2. It takes FOREVER to get decent amounts of points built up. I won 16 games and have only earned about 1600 points. The human avatars cost 20,000 a piece, same for most of the lobbies.

[danhoo]

absolut taco, I believe that game was called "Deathsword". Played a fair amount of that on my PC-XT with the turbo button back in the day.

Perigon -- wait, I'm curious, so how does the lobby work? If it's not the line of people ready to play, is it just chatting with avatars and watching matches?

Oh, and to whoever mentioned VF4, yeah, it's a solid 3D fighter, but it doesn't have much of a soul. It really feels more like a "fighting simulator" to me more than a game. Still really good for the martial arts enthusiast, however.

[Heretic Machine]

Perigon -- wait, I'm curious, so how does the lobby work? If it's not the line of people ready to play, is it just chatting with avatars and watching matches?

Ok, you join the match, and start in the lobby. You aren't going to play until you press Start -> Join Match. Then you go into a watch mode like in DoA: U, you are no longer in the lobby, and now you are in line to play. The lobby is worthless, it's like a stopping point between joining the server and actually getting ready to play, a stopping point that doesn't need to be there. Now if they actually let you stay in the lobby while in line for the game, that would of been nice, and it's what I always thought they were doing with it.

Keep in mind, they don't even explain this in the manual.

EDIT: Oh, and have you Bushido Blade fanatics ever tried Jedi Outcast or Jedi Academy? They might be just what you're looking for.

[score]

Anyone remember the Conan game where you could lop the head off someone and then some gollum-looking troll came and kicked the head and dragged the body off-screen. It was the most boring fighter ever but I would love to see a DOA4-style game with weapons that actually do some damage.

I believe this was a game called 'Barbarian'. Like a one on one fighting game with swords and a busty chick on the game cover?

As for fighters, anyone remember the original Street Fighter on the speccy? and Target Renegade? (the original Renegade was good as well but they dropped the ball with 3, Renegade through time or some shit). There was no multi loading on the 128k version. I also played it on my friends c64 as well and couldn't believe the difference. no co-op. c64 sucked.