Summary

As the first Dead or Alive title on a Nintendo platform, Dimensions offers an unprecedented blend of storytelling, gameplay, and character diversity. It’s a must-play for fans of the series and newcomers interested in the fighting game genre.

• Release Year: 2011
• Genres: Fighting
• Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
• Developers: Team NINJA
• Publishers: Koei Tecmo Games, Nintendo

Introduction

Dead or Alive: Dimensions introduces the high-octane action of the Dead or Alive series to the Nintendo 3DS, offering a rich roster of characters and an engaging storyline spanning the series’ history.

Synopsis

“Dead or Alive: Dimensions” (DOAD), released in 2011, is a unique installment in the “Dead or Alive” series. Developed by Team Ninja and published by Tecmo Koei for the Nintendo 3DS, it was the first DOA game to be released on a Nintendo system and the first DOA fighting game released on a handheld.

DOAD is not a new entry in the series but rather a compilation game, similar to “Mortal Kombat Trilogy” or “Tekken Tag Tournament”. It offers 26 playable fighters, more than any previous installment in the franchise, and uses a modified engine of “Dead or Alive 4”.

The plot of DOAD spans the first four main games in the “Dead or Alive” series, providing additional details and unfolding the hidden truth within its stories. The game focuses on different characters for each of the four main DOA games: Kasumi for the first, Ryu Hayabusa for the second, Ayane for the third, and Helena Douglas for the fourth.

The game begins with a prologue set before the first game, where Kasumi is confronted by her father, Shiden, the 17th and current leader of the Mugen Tenshin Ninja Clan. The story then progresses through the four main DOA tournaments as the player assumes the roles of various fighters from the series.

In addition to the main plot, DOAD incorporates a Chronicle Mode feature, which acts as a story mode in the game. The other modes featured are Arcade, Survival, Free Play, Training, Showcase, and 3D Photo Album.

The game’s stages are mostly taken from “Dead or Alive 3” and “Dead or Alive 4”, with the substantial new content being the Freedom Survivor stage and the inclusion of a stage based on “Metroid: Other M” – a Wii game co-developed by Team Ninja with Nintendo.

Despite being the first game in the series to have a “Teen” rating from the ESRB since “Dead or Alive 3” by toning down the sexual content for female characters, the game was not distributed in Scandinavia and experienced problems with being released in Australia.

DOAD was well received by critics who praised the game’s utilization of the 3DS’s capabilities. It was the first DOA game to be released without any involvement from series creator Tomonobu Itagaki.

In conclusion, “Dead or Alive: Dimensions” is a significant title in the “Dead or Alive” series. By compiling the stories of the previous four main DOA games with additional details, it provides a comprehensive understanding of the series’ plot and characters. Its innovative use of the Nintendo 3DS’s features and its expanded roster of playable characters make it a standout installment in the franchise.

Characters

With a roster of 26 fighters, including series favorites and newcomers, Dimensions offers a diverse selection of characters for players to master, each with unique abilities and fighting styles.

Gameplay

Dimensions features intuitive touch-screen controls for executing complex moves with ease, alongside traditional button inputs. The game also introduces stages with multiple tiers and interactive elements, adding depth and strategy to the fights.

Conclusion

Dead or Alive: Dimensions stands as a testament to the potential of fighting games on handheld consoles, combining a deep narrative with engaging gameplay and a roster of richly designed characters.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern