Dead or Alive Paradise Review for PlayStation Portable (PSP)

System: PSP	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Team Ninja	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Tecmo	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: March 30, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Mature	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

However, instead of having any interesting cutscenes or challenges to facilitate these burgeoning relationships, everything is communicated by text boxes and menus, and any fun you may have anticipated having partnering up with your favorite DOA girls is completely lost as you just navigate through the menus and select the "right" option to get the girl of your choice to partner up with your character.

Dead or Alive Paradise screenshot

Technically speaking, DOA Paradise isn't all that good. Although the opening cutscene looks very nice, the rest of the game just can't keep up, and the cinema scenes during the exploration modes and the visuals during the mini-games look bland and unpolished. The voice acting, however, is surprisingly good. Characters do talk quite a bit while you are navigating through menus or testing the waters in regards to a potential partner, and while the dialogue is a bit repetitive, at least it is competently voiced.

I didn't exactly expect worlds from Dead or Alive Paradise. Basically, if the game featured some sexy ladies and had reasonable gameplay, it would meet most player's expectations. However, DOA Paradise doesn't even have that much. There is nothing to do in the game, you can't control your character most of the time, and communication is generally facilitated through text boxes, which drastically reduces the captivation of the game's sexy characters.

No matter what your reason is for being interested in DOA Paradise, you should know that this title is a complete disappointment on all fronts and shouldn't be played by anyone.

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Staff Contributor

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.6

Graphics
Opening cutscene is highly detailed, but the rest of the game involves shaky animations in "Venus Clips" mode and text boxes.

3.0

Control
There's not much to control in the game other than the mini-games, but at least those work okay.

2.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Music is repetitive, but voiceovers are fairly good.

2.0

Play Value
There are only a few mini-games, and most of the game's progression is delivered through text screens. Even if you just want to check out the sexy ladies, Venus Clips are very short and repetitive.

2.2

Overall Rating - Poor
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Featuring all the Dead or Alive lovelies, basking in the tropical sun of 'New Zack Island' you will be able to mingle, flirt, play, take snapshots, and challenge the girls in various mini-games found throughout your private island in the best looking PSP game yet.

Boasting the most beautiful 3D female characters even seen in any PSP title, you will be able to indulge in beach volleyball, pool hopping, as well as visiting the revamped casino resort run by the enigmatic 'Rio'. With an exhaustive shopping option as well, spend your hard-earned Zack currency on hundreds of cool items, from clothes to gadgets then keep them for yourself or give them as gifts to your new girlfriends. The more gifts you give, the stronger your bond with them will grow.

You'll also be able to snap candid photos of your giggling beauties in their beachwear which you can store in your very own private photo album and collect 'Venus Clips' to enjoy later. It's all on-the-go, and all in the palm of your hand. Take your girls anywhere. Play with them any time.