Review
Played on: Xbox Series X
Released: 2001 (Xbox)
Released: 2001 (Xbox)
DOA's infamous creator Tomonobu Itagaki was interested in pushing the technical envelope for his franchise and thus agreed to this offer, a partnership that would span many DOA releases, all the way up to and including DoA4 on the Xbox 360.
I personally still remember when the original Xbox turned up at a local electronics shop around the European launch in 2002 and had DoA3 on display. Being a PS2 owner at the time, I was extremely impressed with how it looked. Clearly utilising graphical techniques that the PS2 could never reach. Although I played a few fights at displays in various shops, and some on my neighbour's Xbox, I never really got the time to sit down with it properly.
I personally still remember when the original Xbox turned up at a local electronics shop around the European launch in 2002 and had DoA3 on display. Being a PS2 owner at the time, I was extremely impressed with how it looked. Clearly utilising graphical techniques that the PS2 could never reach. Although I played a few fights at displays in various shops, and some on my neighbour's Xbox, I never really got the time to sit down with it properly.
Never owning the original Xbox, I didn't go back to this game until a few years ago as it was backwards compatible with the Xbox 360. Luckily, last year, it reached the modern Xbox backwards compatibility program and was readily available to purchase alongside DOA1, DOA2 and DOA4. Awesome if you want to dig into the series history on modern hardware!
Powering up this game on my Xbox Series X and seeing it’s stunning and smooth 60fps gameplay running at 4K, is a wonderful sight to behold. I reminded myself of how DoA stood out visually back on the original Xbox launch. I’d even wager to say that it’s probably the best-looking DoA game made, considering its age, the modern graphical effects of its era and the way it’s got a resolution bump for modern times. DoA4 looks better, but still runs at 720p.
Normal mapping on objects like leaves, tarmac bumps and layers of snow and ice, make the textures really pop. Water, sunsets and shiny surfaces really stand tall, even to this day. Combined with the anime styled characters, pre-DoA5 era style, and their larger upgrade in model quality over DoA2, it’s a treat to watch even on a large modern screen thanks to the upgrades the Xbox Series X does automatically.
Game menus reveal an identical setup to DoA2, with the same modes such as online play, survival mode, time attack mode, training etc. Story mode utilises CGI cutscenes as endings, versus the in-game ones used for DoA2. Luckily, this backwards compatible version is version 3.1, which basically is a slightly upgraded version, previously only available for JP/EU, they launched DoA3 there later. This version features more outfits for the characters and gameplay tweaks.
I really appreciate the stunning environments in DOA3s fighting arenas, rich in detail. Be it a sun-drenched beach, sparkling icy water cave, autumn woodland with falling leaves or a snowstorm. However, the lack of unlockable costumes is a real downer. It makes repeated play of the arcade mode a little lacking, other than the first time to unlock the ending cutscenes.
Powering up this game on my Xbox Series X and seeing it’s stunning and smooth 60fps gameplay running at 4K, is a wonderful sight to behold. I reminded myself of how DoA stood out visually back on the original Xbox launch. I’d even wager to say that it’s probably the best-looking DoA game made, considering its age, the modern graphical effects of its era and the way it’s got a resolution bump for modern times. DoA4 looks better, but still runs at 720p.
Normal mapping on objects like leaves, tarmac bumps and layers of snow and ice, make the textures really pop. Water, sunsets and shiny surfaces really stand tall, even to this day. Combined with the anime styled characters, pre-DoA5 era style, and their larger upgrade in model quality over DoA2, it’s a treat to watch even on a large modern screen thanks to the upgrades the Xbox Series X does automatically.
Game menus reveal an identical setup to DoA2, with the same modes such as online play, survival mode, time attack mode, training etc. Story mode utilises CGI cutscenes as endings, versus the in-game ones used for DoA2. Luckily, this backwards compatible version is version 3.1, which basically is a slightly upgraded version, previously only available for JP/EU, they launched DoA3 there later. This version features more outfits for the characters and gameplay tweaks.
I really appreciate the stunning environments in DOA3s fighting arenas, rich in detail. Be it a sun-drenched beach, sparkling icy water cave, autumn woodland with falling leaves or a snowstorm. However, the lack of unlockable costumes is a real downer. It makes repeated play of the arcade mode a little lacking, other than the first time to unlock the ending cutscenes.
Furthermore, the end boss is a confusing, visually blurry, fight where you view your character partially from behind. You must run towards the boss, who uses endlessly cheap power moves like fire and magic. The whole camera angle change reminds me of an old 2D fighter by Sega that replicated a 3D view, called Dark Edge. It’s a weird and off-putting boss fight.
One of my favourite characters is Christie and she debuted here, I remember her being promoted alongside the launch of DoA3. Her fast-paced attack style really gets a nice flow to it when done right. Brad Wong and Hitomi also debuted here. It’s clear to see that Team Ninja were at their most creative through the art style and visuals in this era. It’s a fun reunion of the early 2000s gaming world.
Visually striking, even many years later, a familiar layout, built on the strong foundations of DoA2s fast and easy to learn gameplay, make DOA3 desirable. However, outside of the visuals it is not as content rich and a large enough change as DoA2 was in comparison to DOA1. But that was maybe a given, as DOA2 and 3 are within the same hardware generation.
If you want an insight into how well this generation could go technically and basically enjoy more of the DoA2 vibe, it’s a great way to reminiscent. I’m guessing Dreamcast/PS2 users will opt for DoA2 in their backwards compatible library, while nostalgic Xbox owners will jump into DoA3.
One of my favourite characters is Christie and she debuted here, I remember her being promoted alongside the launch of DoA3. Her fast-paced attack style really gets a nice flow to it when done right. Brad Wong and Hitomi also debuted here. It’s clear to see that Team Ninja were at their most creative through the art style and visuals in this era. It’s a fun reunion of the early 2000s gaming world.
Visually striking, even many years later, a familiar layout, built on the strong foundations of DoA2s fast and easy to learn gameplay, make DOA3 desirable. However, outside of the visuals it is not as content rich and a large enough change as DoA2 was in comparison to DOA1. But that was maybe a given, as DOA2 and 3 are within the same hardware generation.
If you want an insight into how well this generation could go technically and basically enjoy more of the DoA2 vibe, it’s a great way to reminiscent. I’m guessing Dreamcast/PS2 users will opt for DoA2 in their backwards compatible library, while nostalgic Xbox owners will jump into DoA3.
Regardless of your choice between DOA 2 and 3, they're both fantastic fighters, but DoA3 misses to surpass DoA2 as a whole for me.
