Dead or Alive 2 features drop-dead gorgeous visuals, with gracefully animated 3-D characters rendered in great (and in some cases, downright naughty) detail. Not merely scenic backdrops, the lavish 3-D arenas are also highly interactive: fighters get slammed and thrown against walls, and in some cases they can be thrown through windows and off ledges, with the camera viewpoint following the aggressor as he or she jumps down to the lower level of the arena to continue the punishment.

A game that plays as good as it looks, Dead or Alive 2 sports a rich combat system that is heavy on the counterattacks. Gameplay moves along at a blazingly fast pace, and the simple controls are easy to pick up on and make executing combo moves a breeze; this is a brawler that both button-mashers and hardcore gamers will enjoy.

Unlike other fighting games which contain hidden features that must be unlocked, Dead or Alive 2 pretty much lays all its cards out on the table from the start. There are 12 fighters to choose from (each with at least one alternate costume) and seven modes of play available (including tag battle mode and a two-on-two battle royal that up to four players can join). --Joe Hon