Team Ninja’s universe of accessible and adrenaline-filled fights is back on the gaming scene with a kind of remastering and expansion. This new edition transcends the capabilities of the previous generation of consoles, fully realizing the developer’s proposal. Despite the inclusion of new characters, the Last Round version could offer more content, but the level of fun remains undeniable.
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round appears as an improved edition of one of the easiest to master fighting titles of the last generation. Originally released in March 2019, Dead or Alive 6 quickly established itself as an incredibly accessible combat game with stunning visuals and intense gameplay. Now, after a gap of seven years, it receives a native adaptation for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series, offering a small glimpse of what Dead or Alive 7 could be.
The arrival of Dead or Alive 6 occurred seven years after Dead or Alive 5 (which in turn was supported through the Ultimate and Last Round versions), making this new Last Round edition a later release than one might expect. Perhaps this delay explains why Last Round echoes the meaning of the original 2019 version: an unexpected chance to revisit Team Ninja’s often controversial series, which proves to be much more than the superficial representation of female characters.
Throughout its history, the Dead or Alive franchise has always stood out for its ease of learning the fighting genre, with a furious, action-packed style of play that invites a relaxed approach. However, Team Ninja managed to establish notable complexity amidst the apparent disorder, introducing mechanics and systems that can be strategically exploited to gain an advantage, with emphasis on the triangular system of confrontations: attack, defense and grappling.
Technical information about the new edition of the game
- Responsible studio:Team Ninja
- Title publisher:Koei Tecmo
- Test Platform:PlayStation 5 Pro
- Available for:PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round serves as a reminder of the pleasure that the franchise’s simplicity can provide, allowing players to master its rules in just a few minutes. Although it may seem, at first glance, like a game that allows you to “hammer buttons”, the truth is that the counterattacks are relatively simple to execute and offer effective punishments. Likewise, it is possible to defend oneself, but this stance leaves the player vulnerable to grabs, requiring a quick reaction with punches or kicks.
The emblematic triangular system is a trademark of the Dead or Alive series and serves as the foundation for accessible fighting gameplay, designed to “punish” the indiscriminate use of blows or erroneous decisions in intense combat. In essence, Dead or Alive 6 Last Round should not be seen as a trivial game focused only on appearances; is a title that encapsulates Team Ninja’s characteristic explosive action, demanding agility and sharp reflexes from players.
It is important to highlight that it was in Dead or Alive 6 that mechanics such as Final Rush, Break Gauge, Fatal Rush and Break Blow were introduced, capable of significantly altering the course of confrontations with great ease of use. In 2019, these innovations were widely celebrated for expanding the triangle system, and it’s likely that a future Dead or Alive 7 will incorporate them or feature elements of similar weight to replace them.
The Dead or Alive 6 Last Round version maintains essentially the same game modes, but offers visual improvements, optimized performance, and additional content. Story mode still has confusing and questionable execution, while DOA Quest remains an excellent option for those looking for significant challenges and rewards. Modes such as Arcade, Survival and Time Attack also do their job well in keeping players engaged.
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is positioned more as an expanded version than a complete remaster, a direct parallel to what Last Round represented for Dead or Alive 5. The original game had 24 characters, but this new edition brings the number to 29: Nyotengu, Phase 4, Tamaki, Momiji and Rachel are released from the start, while Mai and Kula can be acquired at launch. Additionally, characters such as Kasumi, Ayane, Marie Rose, Honoka and NiCO received new costumes, and a new photo mode with advanced options is one of the highlights promoted by Team Ninja.
The ability to import saves from the original version into Dead or Alive 6 Last Round makes the perception that it is a new game even more subtle. However, returning to the previous heading clearly reveals the implemented optimizations. Dead or Alive 6 ran at 1080p on PS4 Pro and Xbox One X to guarantee 60fps, while on PS4, it ran at a dynamic 900p to try to maintain the same performance. The Xbox One X edition offered the alternative of playing in native 4K, but without the guarantee of 60fps, and was the only platform to feature HDR.