My first introduction into Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball was sometime ago at E3 2002. The audience was treated to a tropical beach scenery, where you would sit back, relax and get lei-ed! (Notice the subliminal messaging.) Fearing nothing in this, I sat back in the director's seat, but the person who took command wasn't me, no no my candy perfume wearing girl for the moment was none other than a cosplaying Lei Fang (and beautiful to boot). All my role playing fantasies were coming true. She placed the lei around my neck, took a picture with me and told me some very lovely things. At this point, I didn't know what they were selling and I didn't care...
Now onto the actual game.
DOAXBV journey begins sometime after the third installment of the Dead or Alive fighting game. (Dead or Alive 3) Don't worry you don't really need to know anything about the series. It helps at times, but it's not necessary. All that's needed to know is that some dude name Zack hit the big one gambling, bought an island, and invited all the female fighters of the DOA series for the next fighting tournament. As a player you have to choose which beauty you'd like to play and as you land on Zack Island, you're informed that there is no tournament. What do you do? Break out the swimsuits, find a partner and let's play ball!
The volleyball part of this game accurately and amusingly presents the basic aspects of volleyball in a precise and challenging manner. What amazes me when playing the game is the auto handicap, when beginning the game, the characters suck and it's pretty easy to win. But, as the game progresses the characters get better and better, even when you start over in the beginning the characters abilities quickly adapt to how good you are.
What I like to point out is the very unique idea of implementing a dating-sim, RPG, style of gaming into CG masterpiece. In order to become partners or receive gifts you must win the affections of these sexy cyber vixens. Now all of them have different likes and dislikes and it's up to you what presents you think may win their hearts. ( i.e. Kasumi will spew at an autographed photo of Zack, but give her some strawberries and she'll make "love" to them.)
My only dissapointment in this game is the unexplained factors. What happens when you collect every item? Does this swimsuit make me look fat? Why did I spend so much time buying all these funky gifts for a girl, only to have her chuck the all important million Zack dollar Venus Seashells swimsuit gift? When game girls look like really hot girls that is good, but when they start to shallowly act like really hot girls that's when the fantasy stops. The point or challenge of this game is somewhat still a mystery as of right now. There isn't really a last boss or a primary objective. Your "vacation" is the extent of about two weeks and you have the freedom to earn cash playing volleyball, gorgeously play the hopping game, take your leisure time in the surroundings around you or in some cases ride some tree bark like a bull. (No... seriously.)
Now obviously this is something marketed for guys, (please read my opening paragraph again, if you don't believe me.) but I don't see anything wrong with that. Honestly, from the moment this game was announced I don't know anyone who bought DOA XBV for an in depth exploration of volleyball. You're not going to find me pissed off that girls technically should be exhausted after such a brutal volleyball match; instead they're happily bouncing away. THEY ARE FREAKING FIGHTERS! Use some imagination! (Although it would please some to see them panting.)
Our friends at Tecmo have taken every DOA's fan's fantasy and made it so. Sex will always sell and I do hope more advanced games will come out. In the future I'd like to see a better sense of object. The play value of this will only last until you get bored of zooming in on breast, legs, swimsuit, bikini designs, tan lines, lips, hips and finger tips. Love to see a better motive as well. I don't consider blowing a million Zack dollars on swimming suits made out of shoelaces and clams on some girl only to have her trash it the next day a motivation to keep doing it! I'll say it again; I could do that sort of thing in real life.
My dear AKA friends, this is not a game for the hardcore gamers. The selling point was not "Girls playing with balls!" (Yes, I caught that.) If it were DOA tennis I would have bought it. If it were DOA baseball I would have bought it. If it was DOA mud wrestling I would have invested in company stock. If you're looking for the next best sports game, look elsewhere. But if you looking for the greatest achievement in Baywatch meets CG Barbie, well my friend we have "liftoff".