Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore (PlayStation 2)

Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore is an enhanced version of Dead or Alive 2. I've never really cared much for these half versions. Either include what you want in the game at the outset or make enough improvements for a true sequel. Don't charge me full price for what is essentially an expansion.

Anyway, Dead or Alive 2 Hardcore retains the same basic game modes of the original. These include Story Mode, Time Attack, Survival, Tag Battle, and Sparring. Basically, the most important change is probably the slightly upgraded graphics that include improvements to the character models and environments.

Of course, it doesn't stop there. You get incredible new content like unlockable costumes! Honestly, I'm not really sure what the point of this release was other than fanservice and to extract more money out of all the suckers...I mean TRUE fans of the series.

I have nothing against the Dead or Alive series as a whole. They are all pretty solid 3D fighting games. But to make an entire additional game release for which the biggest obvious change is more costumes seems a bit absurd. Again, don't get me wrong. There isn't anything wrong with the game, especially if you are a fighting game fan. It's just that to me it does not offer enough of an upgrade over DOA2 to justify a full-priced game.

Dead or Alive 2 was released for several platforms including the Dreamcast, PlayStation 2 and of course there was the original arcade release. Dead or Alive 2: Hardcore was only released for the PS2. If you have a PS2 and want to give this game a try, I would bypass the original DOA2 and just get this one for the few slight improvements it offers. If you already have DOA2 then there really isn't a good reason to get this one unless you are an obsessive collector which I would fully understand.

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