Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo has announced Dead Or Alive 6. This is the new sequel to the long-running 3D fighting game series that is known to have good countering mechanics, though it is more known for its lavish support of fanservice and an abundance of cosmetic DLCs for its last title.
Dead Or Alive 6 is expected to be a familiar game in terms of gameplay. A new addition of a special button will allow players to execute strong combos called Fatal Rush, an easy button for casual players but easily punishable if you know what you are doing- something in the vein of Tekken 7’s new Rage Art. Meter management makes its debut here where you will gain meter for each attack or block. The meter can be used for Break Hold- a counter attack, or a Break Blow, a flashy special attack.
As for the presentation, it is dialing back down on the fanservice this time. Speaking to IGN, producer for DOA 6 Yohei Shimbori this is a conscious decision by the team. “We wanted to make a more cool and mature Dead or Alive this time, and to that end we made a conscious decision to make the characters less sexualized.”
A similar sentiment was heard when DOA 5 first announced, which sparked backlash to the game’s community. Sexy costumes and jiggle physics remains a feature for the game when it launched. The DOA 6 trailer features Kasumi and Helena, the two still looking beautiful as ever, but with less emphasis on the fanservice.
Environment hazards are less over-the-top, notice the crowd around the arena in one shot of the trailer pushes a character back when he reached the edge of the stage. Battle damage will also be visible aside from the sweat as seen in the past game.
We will wait and see if the direction sticks this time when Dead Or Alive 6 is released for the PS4, PC and Xbox One early next year.