DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round from KOEI TECMO America brings us the definitive version of the beloved fighting game, now on PlayStation 5. Learn more in our DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round review!
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DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round from KOEI TECMO America brings us the definitive version of the beloved fighting game, now on PlayStation 5. This Rated M for Mature fighter experience brings us the best way to play through DEAD OR ALIVE 6 thanks to the enhanced Oboro lighting system, faster loading thanks to the SSD on the PlayStation 5, as well as an upgraded Photo Mode that will allow you to capture your favorite fighters in action as exactly intended, thanks to the different poses and position options. There’s no Cross-Play between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions, but if you have save data from DEAD OR ALIVE 6, then you’ll be able to import it into DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round.
The_nmac previously had a chance to work on a DEAD OR ALIVE 6 review on PlayStation 4 back in 2019, and it’s now time for me to dive into the PlayStation 5 version of DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round and take it for a spin. But before that… it’s history time!
DEAD OR ALIVE got its start back in 1996 as an arcade release using the Sega Model 2 and published by Tecmo. Yes, it was released so long ago that KOEI TECMO were two separate companies! The game was then ported to the Sega Saturn in 1997, which sorta makes sense since the console was similar in architecture to the Sega Model 1. That version remained as a Japan-only release. DEAD OR ALIVE then got a PlayStation port around the world in 1998.
This was followed by sequel DEAD OR ALIVE 2, once again in arcades in 1999, and then on home consoles on the Dreamcast and the PlayStation in 2000. It was that Dreamcast version that became the first game I got to play in the franchise. DEAD OR ALIVE 3 is an Xbox exclusive that was released the following year, and that’s also the case for 2005’s DEAD OR ALIVE 4. It was not until DEAD OR ALIVE 5 that the series returned to the PlayStation ecosystem thanks to a PS3 version that released at the same time as the Xbox 360 version. We even got a port of this one to the PlayStation Vita, which was called Dead or Alive 5+.
Since this one is called DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round, that means it’s the definitive edition of the game, and that means we get access to the original version along with all 20+ characters included in the main game, as well as the 5 additional characters originally made available as bonuses or DLC. These additional characters are Nyotengu, Phase 4, Momiji, Rachel, and Tamaki. As for the rest of the cast? You’ll be able to play as:
Ayane
Bass Armstrong
Bayman
Brad Wong
Christie
Diego
Eliot
Hayate
Helena Douglas
Hitomi
Honoka
Jann Lee
Kasumi
Kokoro
La Mariposa / Lisa Hamilton
Leifang
Marie Rose
Mila
NiCO
Raidou
Rig
Ryu Hayabusa
Tina Armstrong
Zac
The game offers a variety of options for you: Tutorial, Command Training, Free Training, Versus Mode, Arcade Mode, Time Attack Mode, Survival Mode, Story Mode, and DOA Quest. As expected, the Tutorial is the one you should definitely check out if you want to learn all of the basics, as well as advanced techniques. You can then apply this in Command Training as you learn the specific commands for each of the dozens of fighters on offer. There’s also Combo Challenge, where you’ll need to find the best way of completing a series of specific combos. Once that’s been taken care of, you can jump into Free Training to practice what you’ve learned, as you aim to perfect your overall strategy.
For this fighting game, you’ll be able to punch, quick, and throw your way to victory, as well as being able to use special moves. Punches are mapped to the Triangle button, while kicks are set to the Circle button. Moves can be performed by combining these with directional inputs on the left analog stick or the D-Pad. Throws can deal a lot of damage to your opponent if you manage to catch them off guard. You can use a throw by pressing the X button or the Square and Triangle buttons at the same time. The Square button can be used to try and block incoming attacks.
You also have access to the Fatal Strike, a powerful high strike that can place your opponent in a Fatal Stun, open for a world of hurt. You must combo four strikes into this move, which can only be broken with a Break Hold. To unleash a Fatal Strike, press the R1 button in quick succession. The R1 button can also be used to perform a sidestep by combining it with the up or down direction on the left analog stick or the D-Pad.
If you press back on the left analog stick or the D-Pad and the R1 button, that will perform a Break Hold when your Break Gauge is at least 50% full. If your Break Gauge is completely full, then you’ll be able to perform a B Break Blow by pressing toward your opponent and the R1 button. This is a special ability that will end up going through your opponent’s attacks, dealing a ton of damage in the process.
The Versus Mode allows you to fight against AI-controlled fighters or a fellow human. Arcade Mode offers an arcade-style experience as you go from fight to fight, leading up to a boss battle. Time Attack Mode tasks you with defeating your opponents as quickly as possible, one after the other. Survival Mode will have you taking on an endless supply of opponents as you try to see how far you can go.
As the name suggests, Story Mode will allow you to check out the main story path for DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round, which includes a bunch of fully voiced cutscenes that will expand on the overall lore for the franchise. These will have set characters for you to play as depending on the chapter you’re going through.
And then we have DOA Quest. This one will have you taking on 100+ different quests, with each one having a trio of missions for you to complete. Each mission that you complete will grant you one star, as well as some of the in-game currency you can use to unlock more stuff to customize your experience. And yes, DOA Quest is definitely tied to some of the trophies that you can get.
Trophy-wise, just as was the case for DEAD OR ALIVE 6, this updated version has a full trophy list with a Platinum trophy for you to work on. The list is split into 23 Bronze trophies, 8 Silver trophies, and 5 Gold trophies for you to work on. If you’ve played DEAD OR ALIVE 6, then you’ll notice that the list for DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round mimics it, offering objectives such as fighting your first match, changing your main fighter, clearing a course in Arcade Mode, doing the same in Time Attack Mode, using free training for an hour, taking on the Tutorial, completing all lessons that the Tutorial has to offer, and buying a costume in the wardrobe, to name some examples. The only extra trophy is for using the new Photo Mode. Because of this, you can consider using this DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Trophy Guide to aid you with your trophy run.
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round brings us the definitive version of the beloved fighting game, now on PlayStation 5. This Rated M for Mature fighter experience brings us the best way to play through DEAD OR ALIVE 6 thanks to enhanced lighting, faster loading thanks to the SSD on the PlayStation 5, as well as an upgraded Photo Mode that will allow you to capture your favorite fighters in action as exactly intended, thanks to the different poses and position options. There’s no Cross-Play between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 versions, but if you have save data from DEAD OR ALIVE 6, then you’ll be able to import it into DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round.
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round launches tomorrow on PlayStation 5 with a $39.99 price tag. If you want to try before you buy, you can get the DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round Core Fighters at no cost. The DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round Core Fighters version offers you the chance to play as Kasumi, Marie Rose, Honoka, and NiCO. You’ll also have access to the Photo Mode, as well as the online modes DOA Quest and DOA Central.
Disclaimer
This DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by KOEI TECMO America.
