1. Interactive Stages
So, the number 1 reason that
Dead Or Alive 5 will be a great game to play - and thus worthy of your purchase - are the interactive stages/arenas. A big part of
DOA 5's development has been the idea of fighting entertainment bandied around by
Team NINJA. This is best expressed by the interactive stages found in
DOA 5. The
DOA series has always been known to have impressive stages. You could knock opponents into electrical fences, explosives or down a flight of stairs. In
DOA 5, this takes on a whole new level. On one stage for instance, known as Flow, you start by fighting on a raft on a river. At first, the raft is stationary, but after you send an opponent flying into a fence (or you yourself go flying), the raft begins to move down river. Low and behold, not too long later, the raft gets stuck precariously perched above a waterfall! Further more, if someone is knocked off the raft down the waterfall, the fight will continue down below in a lush jungle area. This is just one example of a brilliant stage in
DOA 5. Other stages feature various dangerzones you can launch on opponent at that deals extra damage. Sometimes, those dangerzones will even allow a follow-up hit. The Power Blow mechanic also tends to have additional impact on stages, allowing you to use other aspects of the stage you might not be able to otherwise. The variety so far shown in various videos has been impressive. As a player, you will have to learn to adapt to these stages, and their changes, to ensure you always have the upper hand in a fight. Not only that, there will sometimes be random objects located within stages, like chairs and tables. If you can successfully knock your opponent into those items, they can end up in a special stunned state, allowing you to continue the offensive where normally you might not be able to. Aspects like these will make each fight you encounter practically unique. And that's a great thing.