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DEAD OR ALIVE 6

Dead or Alive 6 is a great game that is easy for anyone to pick up and has the depth to last fighting game fans a long time.
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Game Cover
72%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
monetization, grinding
70% User Score Based on 3,203 reviews
Critic Score 76%Based on 48 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCTabletPlaystation 5PhonePlaystation 4Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
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DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Game Cover

About

DEAD OR ALIVE 6 is a single player and multiplayer fighting game. It was developed by KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD. and was released on February 28, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Dead or Alive 6" is a 3D fighting game with fast-paced action and stunning graphics. The story continues from the previous installment, focusing on the conflict between Ninja and DOATEC and M.I.S.T led by Donovan. The game features updated combat systems and multi-tiered stages for an entertaining competitive experience. In-game purchases are available.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
DEAD OR ALIVE 6 screenshot
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70%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,203 reviews
gameplay330 positive mentions
monetization42 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning graphics and fluid combat mechanics, making it visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
  • The fighting system is accessible for newcomers while still offering depth for experienced players, allowing for a satisfying gameplay experience.
  • The diverse roster of characters, each with unique fighting styles, adds variety and keeps the gameplay fresh.
  • The aggressive monetization model, with over 400 DLCs, makes it expensive to unlock all characters and costumes, leading to frustration among players.
  • The story mode is poorly executed and lacks coherence, making it less engaging compared to previous entries in the series.
  • The online community is sparse, making it difficult to find matches, which diminishes the multiplayer experience.
  • gameplay
    771 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Dead or Alive 6 is widely praised for its fluid mechanics, intuitive controls, and engaging combat system, which effectively balances accessibility for newcomers with depth for veterans. The introduction of new features like the break gauge and fatal rush mechanics adds strategic layers to fights, although some players feel these changes simplify the experience compared to previous entries. Overall, while the core gameplay remains strong and enjoyable, concerns about content availability and monetization practices have somewhat overshadowed the game's positive aspects.

    • “The fighting and overall gameplay is very smooth and intuitive.”
    • “Its smooth mechanics make it welcoming for newcomers while still offering depth for veterans.”
    • “The core gameplay is still pretty good and actually has some cool on-hit inputs like Virtua Fighter, so it isn’t dumbed down in that regard.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's doa with relatively few changes.”
    • “This game is utter trash, seems like a step backwards, the gameplay is really trash.. don't buy this garbage until they stop making stuff like this.. I'll pass.”
    • “The gameplay is still doa.”
  • story
    764 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story mode in "Dead or Alive 6" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as disjointed, shallow, and poorly executed compared to previous entries in the series. Critics note that the narrative lacks coherence, often feels like a collection of random cutscenes, and fails to provide meaningful character development or resolution. Additionally, the mode's structure, which forces players to navigate through a convoluted menu after each chapter, detracts from the overall experience, leaving many feeling that the story is a mere afterthought in a game primarily focused on combat mechanics.

    • “Released in 2019, the game serves as both a continuation of the main storyline and a mechanical evolution of the fast-paced, counter-heavy gameplay that has defined the series since its inception.”
    • “The story mode is entertaining if forgettable and gives a decent intro to each character.”
    • “The story mode is a wild ride.”
    • “The story mode is a disorganized mess, and many of the stages feel less dynamic and memorable than those in previous titles.”
    • “The story is all over the place and makes little sense.”
    • “The story mode was really confusing for me.”
  • graphics
    610 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Dead or Alive 6" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, smooth animations, and vibrant character models, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor, "Dead or Alive 5." Many players appreciate the attention to detail, including real-time damage effects and the overall aesthetic appeal, although some critiques mention a lack of graphical options and performance issues in online play. Overall, the game is considered one of the best-looking fighting games available, despite some mixed opinions on specific character designs and the optimization for lower-end PCs.

    • “The graphics are stunning—characters look amazing, and the stages are vibrant and full of life.”
    • “It of course has the timeless DOA art style, but coupled with the graphical overhaul, it creates something that is visually stunning.”
    • “Visually stunning, Dead or Alive 6 sets a new standard for graphics in the fighting game genre.”
    • “Underwhelming graphics for a 2019 game.”
    • “The graphics have barely improved over doa5 and the story is half-baked trash that is presented in a cluttered mess.”
    • “The graphics options are, just for the sake of there.”
  • music
    160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Dead or Alive 6" receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its energetic and fitting soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, while others find it unremarkable or inferior to previous installments like "DOA5." Many appreciate the ability to unlock and customize tracks, but some criticize the limited selection available at the start and the need to unlock additional music. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, opinions vary widely on its overall impact and memorability.

    • “The music in DOA 6 complements each stage beautifully, pumping players up to fight.”
    • “I certainly like the music better in DOA 6 compared to DOA 5LR, and there are some pretty catchy tracks like 'Ontology', 'The Zen', 'With the Goddess', and 'Cold Punishment'.”
    • “The soundtrack is also very good, and you can unlock songs and set which ones play on which stage or when you're up against certain characters.”
    • “The music is boring.”
    • “Music is unremarkable: nothing catches the ear.”
    • “The soundtrack is garbage, and the arcade mode feels way too easy and grindy.”
  • monetization
    100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game has been heavily criticized for its aggressive and predatory practices, including excessive microtransactions and costly DLC that many players feel detracts from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the core gameplay, the overwhelming focus on monetization, including a grind-heavy unlock system and high-priced season passes, has led to widespread disappointment and accusations of the game being a cash grab. Overall, the monetization strategy has significantly harmed the game's reputation, particularly among fans of the franchise.

    • “This approach to monetization significantly harmed the game’s reputation, especially within the fighting game community, which values fair and complete content at launch.”
    • “Monetization practices aside, the fighting is fun and easy enough to mash buttons at each other, but clearly has a rewarding combat system for those who are looking to go deeper and learn all the mechanics of the game.”
    • “The monetization and DLC strategy has also been heavily criticized, with a grind-heavy system for unlocking costumes and an overabundance of expensive downloadable content.”
    • “The game's monetization and unlock pacing is frankly predatory and should be avoided and circumvented by any means necessary.”
    • “Everything about this game feels like a horrible cash grab and its somewhat fun fighting mechanics and pretty characters are grossly overshadowed by this robbery.”
  • optimization
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews from users. While some players report smooth performance and good graphics on high-end PCs, others experience significant lag, frame rate drops, and poor optimization on lower-end systems. Overall, the game shows potential for solid performance but suffers from inconsistencies and a lack of comprehensive graphical options, leading to a divided player experience.

    • “Performance-wise, the game starts up relatively fast on an HDD, runs great without framerate drops on my RTX 4060, and I've not experienced any crashes at the time of this review.”
    • “It's great, I have a 3-year-old PC build and performance is flawless at 1080p; it also loads blisteringly fast on an SSD with no load ever taking more than 2 seconds.”
    • “The game seems to be well optimized.”
    • “It is very poorly optimized; I have a high-end PC yet sometimes it just starts to fight in slow motion.”
    • “PC optimization options are still bad; the game crashed as soon as I started it, and then when it finally started working, there were significant FPS drops.”
    • “Boring stages, bland new characters, poorly optimized for PC; the esport stench lingers within this title, clearly this title flip-flops between who it wants to please.”
  • grinding
    76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received significant criticism, with many players finding the costume unlocking process excessively tedious and frustrating. Unlike previous entries in the series, where costumes could be unlocked through gameplay achievements, the current system relies on a grindy quest-based approach that often feels random and overwhelming. While some players appreciate the challenge, the overall sentiment is that the grind for costumes detracts from the enjoyment of the game, making it a chore rather than a rewarding experience.

    • “The learning curve isn't as tedious as something like Tekken 7.”
    • “What seems like an ideal way to extend DOA 6's shelf life truly feels more like a tedious grind to get the costumes players actually want.”
    • “Unlocking outfits is far more grindy than the previous game.”
    • “The grind for costumes is more than tedious, maybe painful, especially considering I can't focus on collecting parts for one costume, or even one character.”
  • humor
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it unintentionally hilarious due to poor writing, awkward voice acting, and absurd gameplay moments. While some appreciate the comedic elements like jiggle physics and ridiculous combos, others criticize the disjointed story mode and its lack of depth, leading to a blend of genuine laughter and frustration. Overall, the game's humor is often described as both entertaining and painfully awkward, making it a unique experience for players.

    • “Came for the funny jiggle physics, stayed for the gameplay.”
    • “Every match can turn into ridiculous combos, crazy ring-outs, and over-the-top moments that keep you laughing and hooked.”
    • “The writing for the story isn't just bad, it's hilariously abysmal.”
    • “The humor in the game often falls flat, relying too much on tired clichés.”
    • “I found the jokes to be more cringeworthy than funny, making it hard to enjoy the experience.”
    • “The attempts at humor feel forced and detract from the overall gameplay.”
  • stability
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance with no crashes on high-end systems, others experience significant bugs, connection issues, and freezing during online matches. Some users noted improvements over previous versions, but glitches and a lack of content detract from the experience for others. The game runs well on various hardware configurations, but online stability remains a concern.

    • “Performance-wise, the game starts up relatively fast on an HDD, runs great without framerate drops on my RTX 4060, and I've not experienced any crashes at the time of this review.”
    • “It runs great on my i7 10700K & 1080 Ti (even when I limited the power to only 50% on my 1080 Ti, so it should run great even on an RTX 3050 6GB!).”
    • “Runs great in 1080p even on something like a 960 GTX and an i7 from 2012.”
    • “A buggy mess coupled with an overall lack of content make this one of the worst games in the series; save yourself some headache and just go play 5.”
    • “Of the 20 online match-ups that I've managed at the lowest ranking (F), 18 have ended in opponent disconnects or freezes.”
    • “Doa6 only lets you wait for a player in training, yet training mode is unplayable while waiting to connect to an opponent because every time a connection is established, the game freezes!”
  • character development
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is primarily focused on character design, which has received mixed reviews; while many players appreciate the visually appealing and diverse character aesthetics, some criticize the continued reliance on sexualized designs and lack of depth in character narratives. The gameplay mechanics are praised for their fluidity and fun, but the overall character development, particularly in terms of story, is often deemed mediocre or secondary to the visual appeal. Despite this, the game's graphics and character designs are frequently highlighted as standout features, contributing to an enjoyable fighting experience.

    • “The character design is jaw-droppingly gorgeous.”
    • “A really well-made fighting game with great mechanics, character designs, and animation.”
    • “Excellent mechanics, character design, art, and selection of martial arts.”
    • “It tries to shed the overt sexualization that has long defined the series' reputation—adding slightly more practical costumes and toning down camera angles—but at the same time, it continues to heavily market its DLC around swimsuits, lingerie, and exaggerated character designs.”
    • “The tutorial is pretty good, but character designs and the story are pretty mediocre.”
    • “I like the graphic upgrades but the game feels too slow compared to 5; overall feels stagnant. I wish they would do better character designs; Diego is just very boring to look at.”
  • replayability
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Dead or Alive 6 offers a variety of modes that provide decent replayability, particularly for those who enjoy mastering characters and collecting costumes. However, many players feel that the game's content has been reduced compared to its predecessor, DOA5, with concerns about high-priced DLC and a lack of features like tag team and online lobbies impacting overall replay value. While the game remains enjoyable and visually appealing, some reviewers suggest waiting for sales or considering previous entries for a more complete experience.

    • “Both solo and tag modes offer insane replay value and cater to two different skill types.”
    • “Dead or Alive 6: Core Fighters is an excellent entry for those who want to experience the DOA series for free, with some decent replayability options.”
    • “This is still a gorgeous fighting game that is well-balanced, easy to master, infinitely replayable, and the new characters are fantastic.”
    • “Fortunately, I happen to know that the DOA team got increasingly greedy with reducing the available content and replayability in the base game and making it available as costly DLC when the previous version came out, and it's more of the same here (except it has been so drastically reduced that the free version doesn't even serve as a demo; perhaps they've reached a new low).”
    • “So until this game releases the necessary content to give the game more depth, replayability, and well-needed balancing with unlocking the costumes, I would not recommend this game to anyone new or familiar with the DOA series.”
    • “Mastering every character, obtaining their costumes, and collecting the soundtrack was a major part of the series' replay value.”
  • emotional
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players feeling a blend of nostalgia and frustration; while the music evokes enthusiasm and emotion, the story is criticized for its incoherence and comedic tone. Additionally, there are sentiments of disappointment regarding perceived sexism from the developers, which further complicates the emotional experience for some players. Overall, the emotional engagement varies significantly among users, influenced by both gameplay mechanics and narrative elements.

    • “The music in this game is sometimes enthusiastic and sometimes emotional; it's all very trendy, steady, and appropriate.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in the game is generally praised for its variety, featuring a mix of guitar-driven tracks, atmospheric pieces, and traditional arrangements, though some feel that DOA6 lacks the stage variety seen in previous installments. The superlative Japanese voice acting further enhances the immersive experience, contributing to an overall positive reception of the game's atmosphere.

    • “Tracks range from guitar-driven arena rockers such as 'The Muscle', to atmospheric pieces such as 'Lost Paradise' and even traditional oriental arrangements for good measure.”
    • “There is so much good stuff about this game... the atmosphere is awesome, the controls, and the tutorials which help you learn all the combos in the deepest of details.”
    • “DoA5 stages were on the right track to be equal to Itagaki's stages (even though they largely weren't), but DoA6 feels a little underwhelming and could have used more variety in its atmosphere.”
    • “And then there's the atmosphere....”
    • “Superlative Japanese voice acting enhances the game's atmosphere.”
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76%Critics’ scoreBased on 48 critic reviews
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30h Median play time
29h Average play time
10-50h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

DEAD OR ALIVE 6 is a fighting game.

DEAD OR ALIVE 6 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Phone and others.

On average players spend around 29 hours playing DEAD OR ALIVE 6.

DEAD OR ALIVE 6 was released on February 28, 2019.

DEAD OR ALIVE 6 was developed by KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD..

DEAD OR ALIVE 6 has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its monetization.

DEAD OR ALIVE 6 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Street Fighter V, SOULCALIBUR VI, Tekken 7, Mortal Kombat 11, Mortal Kombat X and others.