Dead or Alive 4 [Xbox]

Other modes are more replayable than past DOAs. Both survival and time attack come with online leaderboards, and the former has collectable items dropped after every victory. Tag battles are as frenetic as ever, and are not to be missed. Unfortunately, the new photo mode -- where you can take pictures during AI-fought battles -- is made almost useless due to how blurry the photos come out. Why couldn't we pause and pan the camera here, like you can in saved replays?

DOA's gameplay hasn't changed much, but it's still easily one of the better fighting games out there. Countering attacks adds a whole different degree of mastery, and takes it beyond a simple button-masher. Since the game doesn't do much to teach you how to counter, you'll want to study up. As you're active both on offense and defense, DOA4 will tucker out even the most experienced player's hands in short order. It's worth noting that this installment seems to have more combos than past Dead or Alive iterations, and flows smoother from hit to hit.

Graphically, the game doesn't disappoint; it's one of the prettiest titles we've ever set eyes on. Fighters are lifelike in appearance and have flawless animations -- especially with grapples, which is always a DOA strong suit. Outfits are elaborate and feature amazingly rendered fabrics. The levels especially stand out, with huge environments full of interactivity and teeming with ambient life from cars and choppers to dinosaurs and monkeys. It must be said that the hair doesn't always look right, and a few male characters have a very "plastic" look to them. But overall the game's a testament to Team Ninja's visual expertise.

Dead or Alive led the online fighting revolution with DOA Ultimate, and DOA4 picks up that ball and runs with it. Battling over Xbox Live starts with customizable avatars in interactive lobbies -- a very nice touch made better by being able to purchase more goodies with play-earned points. Up to eight players can line up for competition in a variety of gameplay choices, and all can converse with headsets to add commentary to the action.

Yes, you'll encounter plenty of lag, but no more than what DOA Ultimate's online play contained. Considering the graphical quality and the fact that eight people may be talking away, you should cut it some slack. Most of the time it's manageable; if not, you can always go to a different lobby or create your own. Leaderboards abound, and you can save a replay of your fights for studying up or showing off.

No matter what your series of choice has been -- Tekken, Virtua Fighter, etc. -- anyone looking to see the next generation of fighting games should definitely take a peek at what Dead or Alive 4 has to offer. It's not a totally new slant on the genre, but a very slick refinement. As far as extensions of existing series go, it stands head and shoulders above the others in the Xbox 360 library. Since that represents the vast majority of titles available for the console, DOA4 could be crowned king of the hill. Don't leave the girls of Dead or Alive 4 waiting; you'll regret it in more ways than one.