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The Plot:  A game that a lot of people are going to either love or hate, "DOA: Extreme Beach Volleyball" is a technical marvel and, while the surrounding activities don't always work, the core of the game - the volleyball - is surprisingly well-done. The game stars the women of the "Dead or Alive" series, brought together on an island paradise to sun themselves, play some casino games and volleyball, give gifts and generally, look great. Once the graphically astonishing opening title clip ends, players are given a couple of menu options to choose from: exhibition (go right into a game) or go to "Zack Island" (Zack being a character from "Dead or Alive 3", who purchased said island). If you choose "Zack Island", you get to choose from several characters to play as and you are paired up with a partner. You can switch partners later, but the game throws a twist - you have to know what the other girls are like and what they like - a present that doesn't interest them will get tossed. A good pairing is essential for successful volleyball, as partners that are unhappy with you won't play well or . The phrase "easy to learn, difficult to master" is a fine way to describe the mechanics of the gameplay. While the game essentially only makes the player use two buttons (A for hit, B for pass; the buttons are also pressure sensitive), timing also plays a key role in setting up your partner for a hit or even spiking the ball on your own. In general, it's easy to simply get the ball over the net, but it's quite another matter to actually play in a way that'll win games. Even if you don't win, you can get "nice points" for strong plays. There are a few other aspects to the game, as well. Players can visit the casino to earn extra cash. While I found this to be an enjoyable option in theory, the games seemed to be rather stacked against the player at times (although there is certainly occasional money to be had from the Roulette, Blackjack and Poker Tables, as well as the slot machines. Especially roulette). Players can also take part in a pool hopping game that has your character hopping across floating pool cushions. It's not much of a minigame and probably not something most will come back to that often. Or, quite simply, you can let your player lie around in the sun or do stretching exercises. There are only a few sections of each of your character's 14-days of vacation, though - so you have to spend them wisely. Aside from the little minigames, there are some other concerns, although they're relatively minor. The casino section could have been a bit deeper and more focused on, leaving out the pool-hopping game and the stretching exercises (on second thought, keep the stretching exercises). The item system is an interesting thought, but it's a little corny and could have even been more simplified - there's a ridiculous amount of items that your girls can purchase or send to one of the other girls as gifts. In the end, though, I'm almost surprised that the issues that I had were with some of the surrounding elements, as I'd expected the game to be more about the incredibly detailed presentations of the women then have it be concerned about gameplay. As a result, the volleyball attains a level of difficulty that's difficult, but not impossible, making for a game that's addictive and rewarding. While "DOA: EVB" took a little while to get used to and I'm not sure if it'll have endless replay value, the game did exceed my expectations. Rating: 8.1/10 The DVD Graphics: While the game in general exceeded my expectations, the graphics certainly were far more than I'd expected. Along with the recent "Panzer Dragoon Orta", I'm pleased to see XBOX games that are beginning to really take advantage of the graphics capability of the system. The opening clip and the opening cutscene before you arrive on Zack's island are rendered with incredible richness, detail and color. Character models are simply stunning, while the animation of the women playing volleyball is smooth and realistic. Although not a great deal is required of the backgrounds, they're still superb looking, with stunning colors and nice detail. Even the water and sand effects are stellar. The graphics encounter no problems whatsoever. Rating: 10/10 Sound: The girls in the game do speak in Japanese (with English subtitles), but the voice acting seems pretty good. Other than that, there's the game's soundtrack, which is okay, but a little dated in some aspects. The game's Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack doesn't put the surrounds to much use at all, although the rear speakers do provide some reverb/reinforcement of the many songs on the soundtrack. On a positive note, this is a game that supports a custom soundtrack, so you can add your own songs to the list of in-game music. Rating: 8/10 Gameplay: As I noted before, the controls seemed simple at first, but the game remained difficult. As I improved my timing and working with my teammate, the game became a bit easier and more enjoyable. Players can also move around the camera during the replays or cutscenes. Although it doesn't allow 100% freedom of movement, there is some adjustment possible. Rating: 8.9/10 Rating Issues: The game is rated "M" (Mature), but it's about as mature as a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Final Thoughts: Nothing substancial, "DOA: Extreme Beach Volleyball" still did offer a surprisingly enjoyable volleyball game, along with a couple of other decent other elements on the side. It's not without some flaws and problems, but I've had fun with the game. Those considering it should give it a try as a rental, as those who are going to love the game are really going to like it, while those who don't are going to hate it. |