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Developer: Namco
Publisher: Namco
Genre: Fighting
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 04 Jul 08
User Rating
9.2 (26 votes) -
Overview
Heihachi Mishima, the bad guy, has announced another Ironfist martial arts tournament. Most of the characters from the second game are present, but some great big, nasty nutcase called Ogre is killing off martial artists, like it was going out of fashion. Ogre wants everybody else dead so he can steal their power, Heihachi has grey hair and a grandchild, Law has a son, Nina is a cyborg and Paul still has a really pants haircut.
More of the same, but why mess with a masterpiece?
Gameplay
Obviously the prerequisite of the fighting genre. And you will not be disappointed. With over twenty characters to obtain, and hundreds of moves, combinations, throws and breaks, you will never have nothing left to play with. As a martial artist myself I can appreciate the research which has gone into the game to base characters on existing styles, the addition of the Brazilian Capoeira practitioner, Eddy, is one example.
Of course not all characters are based on styles, some are just plain daft. Dr. B, for example, with whom you have to learn various moves just to get the sod to stand up! Or Gon, who uses his flatulence problem to great effect.
Graphics
The graphics are nothing short of perfect, the characters move with the same speed and grace as the two predecessors, but the characters are now fully rendered three-dimensional people rather than the blocky polygons from the first attempt.
Shame though, I kinda liked Anna's polygons.
Fun Factor
You will never tire of this game, not only do we have the typical one or two player mode, but also we have the Streets-of-Rage-a-like Force mode in which a character must progress through varying levels fighting multiple enemies and bosses. If this wears thin, there is still Practice mode, a chance to learn the infamous ten move combos, Theatre mode, with shortcuts to all the character endings, Ball mode, which is a rather absurd attempt to breed Tekken with volleyball as well as the well-known Survival, Time Attack and Team battle modes.
Overall
It remains the best fighting game on the playstation, and the perfect post beer-up occupation with your mates.
Buy it, buy it yesterday, and give yourself a big slap for not having done so already.
- Gameplay
10.0 - Graphics
10.0 - Fun Factor
10.0 - Overall
10.0
