As Skilled As They Are Sexy
While not exactly held up in the pantheon of fighting game epics, the DOA franchise has nonetheless managed to gain a cult following over the years, mostly due to its roster of stylish and outrageous characters. It’s not often that you see combatants who are just as proficient in beach volleyball as they are at knocking teeth in…
#5: Christie
Speaking of “sexyâ€, Christie is the living definition of “femme fataleâ€. An assassin hired by Victor Donovan, Christie must kill Helena so that Victor may take over DOATEC. However, just as we’ve seen with Bayman, it takes a lot more than a couple of games to accomplish this. (Are assassins just this slow at their jobs?) Most of her moves can stun opponents, which makes it easy for you to get caught in a combo if you don’t know how to properly counter, making Christie one of the deadliest fighters to go up against.
#4: Ryu Hayabusa
No, Ryu isn’t just a recurring guest character; the hero of “Ninja Gaiden†plays a prominent role in the “Dead or Alive†storyline. As the mentor to another fighter, he’s helped defeat powerful foes like Raidou, Genra, and Bankotsubo. Yes, he is one of the strongest fighters in the roster, but he’s also the hardest to master. Ryu’s moveset heavily utilizes a “high risk, high reward†system, demanding precise execution from players in order to pull off lethal combos. Oh, and he gets bonus points for donning his classic NES outfit! That’s just sweet nostalgia!
#3: Ayane
While her half-sister was treated like a princess, Ayane lived the life of an outcast. This caused her to bear a strong resentment towards her sibling. Thankfully, as the series has progressed, that hatred has diminished…mostly, and its those redeeming qualities that put her so high on the list. There aren’t many people who would forfeit a grudge. One of the other reasons why we like Ayane so much is in how much fun she is to fight with. Our purple-haired shinobi is one of the fastest fighters on the roster, and she even has a whole moveset for when her back is turned towards her opponent! Oh, and as for her new appearance in “Dead or Alive 6â€? BADASS!
#2: Hitomi
With a nickname like “The Fist of Innocenceâ€, how can you NOT like Hitomi? This German karate master wears her heart on her sleeve and is willing to help anyone in need. Hitomi and her mentor took Hayate in while he was suffering from amnesia, referring to him as “Einâ€. What a sweetheart! For those who want a good mix of power and speed, Hitomi is one of the few fighters who will satisfy. Her quick punches deal moderate damage, and her holds provide an excellent defense. Although, who would ever want to punch someone as cute and bubbly as Hitomi? That’s just mean!
#1: Kasumi
You didn’t think we’d forget about the woman who is front and center on almost EVERY “Dead or Alive†box art? Throughout the series, Kasumi has been through absolute hell! She’s killed her greedy, sinister Uncle Raidou, she’s faced off against a psychopathic clone of herself…several times, and she’s been tricked by Zack into wasting time at his island resorts. Tough life! While she may be easy to learn for most players, Kasumi is also incredibly difficult to master. She’s fast and can execute extensive combos, but Kasumi demands patience and knowing thy enemy. She may leave you DEAD, but the sight of her will certainly make you feel ALIVE! Sorry.
Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Games You Were Too Young To Be Playing.
