Archview #30: Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore

 That was fast.

 The game that made bouncy breasts popular! Even though DoA 1 had it too, it didn't become so hilariously obcene 'till DoA 2, but I digress. This is a 3D fighting game that relies less on finesse, but pretends to give a more... entertaining experience. That's why it's such a fast-paced game, with emphasis on flashy moves and pretty graphics that still hold up to this day!.
 DoA 1 had it's roots with Virtua Fighter, and it holds true for DoA 2, however, it's a much faster game. You've one punch button and one kick button, pressing various combinations of both provides strings, just like Virtua Fighter. There's also a "Free" button, which is used for free movement, guarding and holding. By stanging still when you press it, the character will guard. By pressing Guard+Back(Upback or downback for higher and lower attacks), your character will initiate a hold, time it right and you will counter your opponent's attack You can use Hold commands even while being subject to an attack string, which is why Juggling is so important in this game, if your oponent's feet are on the air, they can't try to hold your moves. Characters also have access to grabs by pressing Free+Punch.

 DoA 2 was one of the, if not the first, fighters to include "Transitions". Using a knockback move on an opponent against a wall will send them flying through it into another part of the stage. Some stages also have "Danger Zones", knock an enemy onto one and you'll deal loads of damage. The game has Story Mode, which is an Arcade mode with the ocassional in-game engine cutscene every now and then, there's no loading times between battles, which is quite awesome. Then there's Versus, Time Attack, Survival and Tag Mode. Surprisingly, Tag Mode is nicely fleshed out, with special Tag throws, some character duos even get special tag moves.
 Graphicwise, while not incredibly detailed, the character models are pretty good and smooth. The faces are a bit weird, but not too jarring. The attack animations are incredibly fluid, specially when moves are countered, strangely, some of the Win Poses feel a bit... stiff, different animators maybe? Voice Acting is passable, both on the English and the Japanese dub, but the soundtrack is fantastic. Each of the 14 characters have their own moveset(Well, Bayman and Leon are clones) and they are pretty long. There are about 6 costumes per character too, and most of them must be unlocked, so there's plenty of replay value.

 DoA 2 is not the most technical of fighters, but it's a fun pick-up-and-play alternative to Tekken, you can just grab the controller and start pulling of 5-hit combos from the get go, and the Hold mechanic is a fun gimmick, if a bit casual.

 8 out of 10.