The Dead or Alive franchise has had moments of brilliance. It’s also had it’s fair share of annoyances as well, and I can’t help but feel that Dead or Alive 6 Last Round sits at the top of the list. This was an opportunity to re-release 2019’s original title with features fans have wanted to be added. Koei Tecmo could have bundled the insane amount of DLC outfits, include rollback netcode at the very least, and improve upon the lacklustre reception it received. Instead, almost nothing has changed, but hey, there’s a photo mode now.
To those who want to try Dead or Alive 6 Last Round for the first time, it’s a relatively simple game to get into. Attacks break down into a single button prompt for punches, kicks, holds, and throws. Fighting feels like a brutal game of rock, paper, scissors. Each move you or your opponent use can be countered if approached in time, with fights playing much more tactically than they appear on the surface. The tutorial gives players a good introduction to combat, and building on those simple prompts with Fatal Rushes becomes more enjoyable.
That level of strategy comes into play with Break Holds and Throws. Break Holds are great when countering an opponents attack once the meter is filled to 50%. Having the move in your back pocket gives you an added level of protection if timed right when utilised. If you’re feeling lucky, or confident, the Break Throw is another important weapon in your arsenal. When the meter is at 100%, you can unleash a visually cool and powerful attack. Fatal Rushes are powerful moves that enhance your moveset to further break down your opponent’s health.
Other than a photo mode that does it’s job, there’s nothing new to get stuck into. The Story Mode is ridiculous, yet I still couldn’t help finding it somewhat enjoyable. A lot of fighters have bizarre stories, so it would be unfair to single this one out. DOA Quest is probably the better mode, giving you different challenges to complete in matches that help to make you play with other goals in mind other than simply to win. Then you’ve got Arcade and Time Attack to hone your skills, giving you a few different ways to experience the gameplay.
What sticks out is the absence of quick matchmaking online. I often waited for around four or five minutes for a fight, and it took the shine of asserting my dominance on a global scale (I wish!). I’m not big on playing against others because I’m simply not good enough. However, those that play fighters for the online experience are going to be frustrated that Koei Tecmo hasn’t incorporated a rollback netcode for a better online experience. It’s a shame really, as the fighting is actually fun when you get past the fact that there is little need for this re-release.
Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is very similar to the 2019 release. Yes, it includes DLC fighters, but Mai Shiranui and Kula Diamond need to be re-purchased. It looks the same visually, with a few tweaks to how it looks, and while the photo mode will be appreciated by certain people, it’s not really worth buying again. While the combat mechanics are enjoyable, it does very little for fans who’ve been clamouring for a new entry to invest in something that feels like it could have just been a DLC upgrade and nothing more.
