The fifth main game in the Dead or Alive fighting series is Dead or Alive 5. The main plot of Dead or Alive 5 takes place two years after the events of Dead or Alive 4. It comprises one-round fights for each character, with cut scenes in between. The story is delivered non-chronologically, with diverse personalities and events woven into interconnected chapters. The plot is divided into two primary plotlines: one in which Helena Douglas rebuilds a new DOATEC to use its technology for peaceful purposes, and the other centered on the hunt for Kasumi’s evil clone Alpha-152. Characters are primarily associated with one of the two narratives. However, they do intersect in various ways.
In addition to the primary story mode and bonus objectives, the offline fighting mode includes submodels such as vs., arcade, time attack, and survival. There are single and tag team contests available. Simple matches, ranking matches, and lobby matches are available online. The training mode is far more complete than in previous games, featuring detailed combination strategies, frame data, and the opportunity to alter the AI of the sparring partner. The training option is also available online as a dojo where users can practice with other players. People in the online mode can arrange tournaments for up to sixteen people, and there is a spectator option where they can watch matches and talk with other spectators. Watching match replays, viewing AI partner matches, and capturing photos with a fully controllable camera is possible. The settings are more destructible, and characters have additional nuances during combat, such as sweat or soiled clothes. Characters can still be knocked into Danger Zones since stages are divided into multiple sections. This is accompanied by a new Cliffhanger quick time event in which a character has one last chance not to plummet down and recover, but the opponent can often deal even more damage.
The main fighting mechanics are heavily influenced by Dead or Alive 3. Attacks are made up of four buttons (mild and strong punches and kicks) that can be used to produce combos, throws, and blocking. There is no input for a leap. The primary rock-paper-scissors interruption mechanism is retained, with strikes beating throws, throws beat holds, holds beating strikes, and so on, with additional damage for successful counters. Damage for successful counters has been reduced compared to previous games, encouraging more aggressive plays. The ability to do a full sidestep to dodge incoming blows, rather than simply re-positioning as in the last games, is entirely new. Two other movements significantly alter the dynamics. The Critical Burst strike provides a novel strategy for dealing with stunned opponents. Previously, they had to be juggled to prevent them from completing a counter hold. Stunned opponents must now choose between a Critical Burst assault that negates it and a standard launcher. There are also Critical Stuns and Critical Combos. Another innovative feature is the Power Blow, a devastating, charged strike that can only be used after the player’s health has dropped below 50%.
Alpha-152, Bass, Bayman, Brad, Christie, Eliot, Gen Fu, Hayate, Helena, Hitomi, Jann Lee, Kasumi, Kokoro, Leifang, Lisa, Ryu, Tina, and Zack are among the 19 recurrent characters in the game. Two new characters have been introduced. Mila is a female MMA fighter from Spain, and Rig is a taekwondo master from Canada. All characters are voiced in both Japanese and English. Three Virtual Fighter series guest characters can be unlocked and make cameo appearances in the story mode: Akira, Pai, and Sarah.
