Originally planned for the XBOX 360 launch, Dead or Alive 4 was to be one of many killer apps that would push sales of the next generation gaming machine. After several one week delays it’s finally here and it has definitely been worth the wait. With staggeringly beautiful graphics and gameplay deeper than the rest of the series it’s sure to be a hit with fans. Add to that online play over XBOX Live and you’ve got pretty much endless replayability as you’ll always be able to find someone better than you to brawl with.

When you start up DOA 4 for the first time you’ll feel right at home if you’re a veteran of the series. The ridiculously fast and easy to pickup fighting is still in tact in every way. Though as you play more and more you’ll realize that this isn’t the same old DOA. Certain mechanics have been tweaked, new moves have been added, and older arenas have been tweaked to feel new. All in all the game feels faster, if that’s possible, with much more emphasis on tactics which haven’t existed before in the series. Tekken and Virtua Fighter should take note as DOA has finally stepped up to the big time in terms of 3D Fighting game mechanics.

The core of DOA, like all fighters, is a one on one match where opponents try to take out each other using a variety of different moves. Along with the standard one on one scenario DOA has the tag-team matches which are essentially the standard matches with the ability to swap between two characters. There are a wealth of characters to choose from which all have different fighting styles and tactics. Using just a few buttons, punches, kicks, and much more elaborate moves can be performed with each of the fighters.

As all you veterans get past the initial wow factor of DOA 4 and get deep in to the gameplay you’ll notice a lot of big changes. The backgrounds actually play a large role, the counter system is way harsher, and you definitely spend a lot more time flopping around on the ground.

This huge cast of fighters is really one of the big selling points of the new DOA. All the old favorites return like Ayane, Ryu Hayabusa, Tina, Jane Lee, and Kasumi so old players will be happy. The new cast includes some hotties and some dudes which all will be glad to see and really feel like a breath of fresh air the series needed. All of you that secretly buy the series mostly for the ladies will not be disappointed. There’s even some Halo love that XBOX fan boys will drool over for a long time to come.