Dead or Alive 4: In-Depth

We took a slight break from our coverage of Dead or Alive 4 in order to celebrate the Japanese launch of the Xbox 360 (okay, okay... we were actually just playing Ridge Racer 6 all day and occasionally attempting to get into Online matches with Tetris and Every Party). But we're at long last back with the final part of our feature: a look at the gameplay changes Team Ninja and director/producer/mastermind Tomonobu Itagaki has cooking up for this latest installment.

First, before reading on, check out all our previous updates.

ONLINE WITH DOA4
DOA4's Online mode of play is going to be one of its biggest selling points. How big? Well, Team Ninja did delay the game past the 12/17 revised Japanese release in order to tune it up. Find out what makes it so cool, and decide your avatar now!

HANDS-ON IMPRESSIONS
We spent a few hours sampling a near complete build of Dead or Alive 4 and deliver hands-on impressions here. Details on all the modes of play and the load free experience. Plus, a look at the CG-filled Japanese DOA4 commercial.

DOA4 CHARACTERS
Profiles, background story and gameplay details for all the new characters and all the returning girls. Plus, Itagaki comments on the Halo character and on character design philosophy. And as a bonus, we've got costume pics and print ad scans.

DOA4 STAGES
A look at the DOA4 stages, with new screens and details on the interactive elements. Plus, Itagaki lets us in on his five top choices and comments on the Halo stage.

Today, we're finishing off our feature with a little something for the fighting fans. We took IGN's top Dead or Alive pro, Andrew "Afro" Alfonso to Team Ninja and had him face off against Itagaki for over 20 battles using a near-complete build of the game. Following the trying play session, we quizzed Afro on DOA4's characters, stages and gameplay changes, and even had him compare it to some of the other fighting games out there (including a certain next generation fighter that you've probably never played!).

Turn the page for Afro's thoughts on Dead or Alive 4.