That's why I got it. It's pretty fun. Would be a great rental. I'll trade it in after unlocking some stuff and getting tired of it.

I'm a button-masher, but it doesn't work too well with this game :(. I'll actually have to learn some moves. Graphics are sweet, especially the backgrounds.

Actually, there are at least two games in January, Top Spin and College Hoops 2K6, but I have no interest in either. Is Full Auto the other January one?

I keep seeing mixed release dates for Top Spin. Some places say April....I've seen a few that say that.

Full Auto is FEB I believe.

Given that 2K Sports has no mention of Top Spin 360 anywhere on their website when last I checked, I'm starting to believe that the later dates for that one are more accurate.

I totally agree with this point. Starting out you can, or atleast it seems like your doing some cool and crazy stuff but once you start to learn the moves and know how to execute them when you want instead of getting lucky against an opponent, the game takes on a whole new level of fighting.

me and a friend played this for about 4 hours straight using the same two characters and by the end, we were having some fantastic matches. Reversals and counter holds came into play big time. We basically had to wait for the other to screw up some how or get over greedy with a hit combo to then take advantage and unleash a pummling of our own. For anyone who thinks this is only a button masher, I urge them to actually spend some time learning a few moves and practicing with them. I'm sure this will shed new light on this game. It's anything but a button masher.

On the other hand though, I also like the fact that a person who is new to the game can play it right away and feel like they are kicking some serious ass; and that is great if they are playing against another person of the same quality. BUT, that feeling will change rather quickly when they actually play some one who knows what they are doing.

I'm picking this up tonight and I fear the ass kicking I will receive when I go online.

I haven't played a fighter since the Tekken launch title on the PS2. I figure I'll try this one out.

Hey, I was wondering if you guys wanted to setup a night or two where we would all get together and rumble. We could name the room DVDtalk. I think that would be a lot of fun.

If you're up for it let me know your GT's and what night would be best (or nights). I can probably play tonight (wed.) if you guys want to.

GT: SteelgearX

The complaint has always been that a button-masher CAN win over a skilled opponent, no matter how skilled in the DOA games. I'm sure you do much better once you get used to the system, but the series has never really rewarded skill like other fighting games (take this with a grain of salt: I have no experience with the new DOA, which may have changed quite a bit, and I'm not a fighting game expert, it's just what I've heard).

Your mileage may vary. There are those that praise DBZ Budokai 3, of all games, as a great fighting game. Who knows? Most of the fighting games I buy, I just try to unlock all the characters and then stop playing, since I don't think I'll ever have the time to invest in getting really, really good.

That's exactly it.

The DOA games aren't awful and aren't complete button mashers. They're just not as deep and rewarding to skilled players as more in depth fighting games like Soul Calibur or Tekken. Where a button masher will rarely ever beat a skilled player. In DOA it's more possible for button mashers to win as the system just isn't as deep and the combos not as complex.

But that does make for a better pick up and play party game experience, so it can be viewed as a plus for some.

My brother and I have been playing DOA3 since it came out years ago. I always enjoy the counter aspect because it can become a game of wits. However, this is the downfall when it comes to playing against button-mashers because you always practice figuring out what a "smart" player would do. However, since they play completely random it is sometimes actually more difficult to counter a button-masher than a skilled player. At least that is my experience.

I wouldn't say that's completely true for DOA4. This installment is much more involving than any of the previous versions. As compared to 3 or DOA:U a button masher would have a much more difficult time beating a skilled player in 4. At least that's the impression I've gotten from playing it since launch.

Then :thumbsup: to them for fixing that issue some in DOA4.

I'd like to think I'm fairly decent at fighting games. Been playing everything from SF 2, to MK, 1st Tekken through 5. Soul Calibur before it was even SC (it all started on PS1 with Soul Edge. I used to work at the local arcade when Tekken 3 was out and helped put up the Tekken Tag cabinet. I was one of the better players at Tekken Tag (seeing as how I worked there). I've played all the DOA's offline and on. Yet my wife can still grab a controller and whup me every once in a while. So, yeah, you can button mash your way to a win.

Obviously skill takes precedent, but it's not like Virtua Fighter where a button masher won't get anything but the most basic jabs and kicks. Again I'm not hating, I like the game, but for all the shit Itagaki likes to talk about how much better his game is than Tekken, he's got a long ways to go. He's got them beat in the graphics department hands down, but the fighting mechanics can be refined a lot more.

Hey Steelgear, was there ever any interest in a DVDTalk night for this game? I just picked up DOA4 today, and once I get a little practice in on single-player mode, I'm hoping to hop online and try it out.

GT: UncleGramps

I'd be up for a DOA night.

MaxF, you're the first to respond to that. I'm at work till 11 tonight, I'll add you to my friends list when I get home. You willing to stay up late? :)

GoLucky, I can't remember if I have you on my friends list from Halo 2. If not add me or I'll add you.

I've been on this whole week. I've learned to appreciate all the little nuances they added to 4. First impression of the game is they didn't change much, but once you get into it you start to find the little things that make it the best DOA yet.

Also, tag matches are LOTS of fun. With 6-8 people, you can have 3-4 teams. This way you always have 4 people playing at once. Good stuff.

Anyway, hope to see you guys tonight.

Which time zone are you in? I'm on the east coast, and unless you are too, I probably won't be playing that late. If that's the case, I can get onto Live most evenings, so we can pick another night. I'll add you and goLucky to my friends list once I get home.

East coast. Florida. I work nights just about everyday and the nights I don't I usually spend it with my wife. So, I kinda get stuck having to play very late. If you can hang for a bit that's cool.

Anytime before midnight is fine with me.

I'll have to race home... lol

Great games last night! I had a blast.

Me too. :banana:

It was so much better than trying to find decent people to play against in random matches - there are way too many loudmouth jackasses on Live. Hopefully we can get a few more DVDTalkers to join in next time.

I'll have to track y'all down the next time online (dave99ag). I've had pretty good success with the people I've played with so far. Only a few screaming kids. I usually left those sessions pretty quick.

Yeah, good games last night. Had lots of fun. When do you think you guys will be on again?