Review cover Dead or Alive 5: Last Round (Xbox One)
Official GBAtemp Review

Product Information:

  • Release Date (NA): February 17, 2015
  • Release Date (EU): March 20, 2015
  • Release Date (JP): February 19, 2015
  • Publisher: Koei Tecmo
  • Developer: Team Ninja
  • Genres: Fighting Game
  • Also For: Computer, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360

Game Features:

Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative
Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is the first of the series to make the jump into the next-gen world. Does this beloved fighting franchise still hold up in the 1080p world of gaming?
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Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is the latest installment in the Dead or Alive series introduced back in 1996. For those new to the series, Dead or Alive is a fast-paced, over the top graphically impressive fighter with easy to pick up controls.

The Triangle System


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At it's core, the fighting system surrounds itself around a Rock/Paper/Scissors system that once you get an understanding of, opens the game up to be an enjoyable fighter both to those new to the franchise or fighting games in general. It's quite a simple setup. Strikes stop Throws, Throws cancel Holds, and Holds block Strikes. Keeping this in mind and making good use of the interactive stages will ensure you'll be a pro in no time.​
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ayaneVSraidou02.jpg ayaneVSraidou03.jpg ayaneVSraidou04.jpg BASS_TINA_01v0912.jpg CHRISTIE_BAYMAN_01v0912.jpg hayabusaVSraidou01.jpg hayabusaVSraidou02.jpg hayateVSraidou01.jpg
The Age of the Port

Dead or Alive 5: Last Round takes the most recent installment of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate, which was released back in 2013 and adds upon it to bring it onto the latest systems. What you then get is a solid game with a few extra additions, now in 1080p and 60fps, which is the new standard for the latest gerneration of consoles. Last Round is essentially a boxed up port of Ultimate with some new fighters and stages. The game is an all-round solid package including all of the DLC from the previous game, but it also has a ton of optional DLC costumes.
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Last Round does manage to squeeze in two more fighters to give you an impressive full roster of 34 fighters. The Newest fighters to the madness are Raidou, the resurrected final boss of previous installments, now with cyborg goodness, and Honoka, your typical Japanese school girl.

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Buyer Beware!!!

In the current gaming world, most games are riddled with DLC, Microtransations, and Content hidden or locked behind Season Passes. Dead or Alive 5: Last Round actually takes what's already a bad practice for gamers and makes it even worse. Dead or Alive 5: Last Round comes in various versions but getting the full experience could you leave you with an empty wallet. I'll break it down below how this works on Xbox One which was used for the review.

$9.99
"Core Fighters" - Only 4 Fighters and Story mode locked. This is supposed to be the base game that you're supposed to pick and choose ala cart whatever addons you want.

$14.99
"Story Mode" - Pretty much what you would expect as far as story modes go for fighters.

$27.49
"Core Fighters" Male Set - This unlocks all of the males in the game but again still locks out the story mode.

$37.49
"Core Fighters" Female Set - This unlocks all of the females in the game but again still locks out the story mode.


This puts you at a ridiculous $89.96 before tax. If you want individual fighters instead of the bundles, they'll run you $3.99 a piece.

Or you could just buy the Full Game for $39.99 clearly labeled (FULL GAME) which gives you everything listed above plus some extra outfits and content. Why they did this, no one knows. For those Hardcore Dead or Alive, they've even provided a $92.99 "Costume Pass" that'll give you everything you'd ever wanted from Santa outfits to the skimpiest outfits you could imagine.

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Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Solid installment to the series - definitive edition
  • Easy to learn, pick up and play
  • Boob Physics settings
What We Didn't Like ...
  • Puzzling pricing tiers
  • Still just a port with some extras tacked on
  • Online can be tedious to join matches at times
  • Boob Physics settings
8
Gameplay
Dead or Alive 5: Last Round comes with the crazy action that you'd expect from the franchise. The game comes packed with tons of game modes that will keep you busy for quite some time. With online game modes, you'll always have someone to play with. There were issues that plagued the launch of the title that have all been patched up since the time of this review.
8
Presentation
Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is a definite eye pleaser, especially when it's being played on the latest systems with its smooth and crisp graphics. With this type of game being played at 60fps, the action feels faster and hectic gameplay looks impressive. Even the smallest details of sweat dripping down someones face, clothes getting rattled and dirty makes the game that much more immersive. And of course, within seconds of playing the game, you'll immediately take notice of one the long joked about fame of the Dead or Alive series. The "Boob"physics. Those old and new to the franchise will be able to appreciate these 'assets' even more. Buried within the settings are some options to modify these features to your heart's content so you can enjoy it even more.
8
Lasting Appeal
There are plenty of things to keep you busy in here after you tackle the Story mode. Arcade modes, Time Trials, Survival Modes, Tag Team Modes, and a robust Tutorial system that'll make sure you're a pro in no time. That coupled with local and online fighting, you could easily sink hundreds of hours into DOA5LR. There's even "Private Paradises", again for those who want it, where you select your favorite fighter, dress them up with the expensive costume pass and have them frolic around a beach while you oggle over them or take pictures. It gives plenty for everyone to do for all types of audiences.
8.5
out of 10

Overall

Granted you purchase the correct version of course, Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is a great addition to anyone's collection. That being said, if you've missed out on previous installments or just want a solid fighter on a next gen system, Last Round provides some good ol' fashioned fun.
Best thing about DOA is the easy to get in thing but that doesn't mean its easy to master ;)
DOA 5 is good but i still prefer Dimensions over 5.
 
Something I didn't like about DoA5 was the audio quality of the Virtua Fighter characters sounded like low quality through a pipe which just doesn't seem natural considering how far technology's come.

Edit: I thought this "next-gen" edition would include every piece of DLC but sadly not, it's pretty disappointing. If it did it'd be the definitive edition. Or a GotY edition would be just as good.
 
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Reactions: GamerzHell9137
is core fighters version really $9.99? its free on ps3 and ps4. I think the reasoning behind the different pricing options is for people who only play 1 or 2 characters. Paying 3.99 is a lot better than 39.99 if you do not use any of the other content. I do think the female pack is pointless though as it about the same price as full game.
 
Review cover
Product Information:
  • Release Date (NA): February 17, 2015
  • Release Date (EU): March 20, 2015
  • Release Date (JP): February 19, 2015
  • Publisher: Koei Tecmo
  • Developer: Team Ninja
  • Genres: Fighting Game
  • Also For: Computer, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative

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