Given that the DoA titles on the Xbox were some of the most visually pleasing titles of the last generation, DoA4 has quite a task ahead of it. Initially, it is difficult to spot a difference but the more we see footage, the more impressed we are. The details and colours make for a splendid sight. Just as in the previous titles, the environments will almost be a guaranteed pleasure to look at. Tecmo has resisted making a more photo realistic style, instead following on with the look of past games.
That blur probably means he's moving fast.
Gameplay-wise, apart from adding new characters and new moves, DoA4 looks to add depth to the much maligned counter system. Where there once was a high, medium and low counter, the medium counter has been split into two, making for four counter regions. The change is hardly ground-breaking but those who mastered the system in DoA3 will most likely need to go back ad re-adjust their strategies.
Other than this addition, DoA4 is likely to feature more of the same fighting that has served the series well. Some may not like the lack of depth and the mechanical use of the counter system, but there is a decent game here in it’s own right. You still get to do all the crazy things that you’ve become accustomed to in DoA games, and all without sacrificing the exaggerated animations of certain character’s anatomies or moments like knocking someone off a building or into the path of a moving car.
DoA4 looks to take advantage of the Xbox 360 multimedia capabilities, just like Project Gotham Racing 3. This mainly means that there will be a mode where you can pause the games action and freely take pictures of the moment on screen. You’ll have free control of the camera and later you can add things like blur effects to manipulate the image anyway that your heart desires. You then have the option to organise these pictures outside of the game in your media panel. You can display them, send them to friends and so forth.
Fighting or yoga? You decide.
DoA4 is set to improve upon on the main feature introduced in DoA Ultimate, that being online play. There is a crazy new lobby that allows you to pick a silly little avatar and explore the Live landscape for game to play or watch. After seeing this, you could never again doubt the craziness that lurks in the mind of Itagaki-san. On top of that, it will utilise a much more accurate and reliable match-making feature in order to make it easier for you to find games with people that are of equal ability to you.
In all, DoA4 looks to be catering for the same people that it always has, but not without adding an element of accessibility for everyone. Not to mention that it is one of the only 3D fighters to have gone online and have a decent group of players that makes finding matches easier than more obscure titles. You know that the game is going to look absolutely superb, not to mention the stack of unlockables, the addition of the Spartan Warrior (re: Halo) and the fact that it is one of the next-gen games that will be released at a reasonable RRP.
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