Dead or Alive 6 Last Round

Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is a great fighting game wrapped up in a very bad package, with everything that made it special in 2019 still holding up today but little to justify why this re-release wasn't just another DLC pack.

This should have been a more generous bundle, with all content included, a tag-team mode, and rollback netcode. Instead it’s a cash grab with scant new features to justify its inexplicable existence.

Seven years of content only partially wrapped up in one snug package.

"Great Combat... and a Late Update" Dead or Alive 6 Last Round proves that the series still boasts one of the most enjoyable and immersive combat systems in the 3D fighting game genre. Battles are fast-paced, the characters are diverse, and the interactive environments give each encounter a unique feel and a wealth of tactical options. The visual enhancements and stable performance make this the best way to experience the sixth installment yet.

Last Round adds several previously paid fighters, new graphics settings, faster loading times, and a revamped photo mode. However, the bulk of the game remains virtually unchanged; visual enhancements are limited so far, and certain elements'such as cutscenes and fonts'still feel dated.

Forcing fans to re-purchase characters again is just icing on the top. Sadly, I cannot recommend this package, if you already own DoA 6, just stick with that, there is little reason to upgrade to the Last Round version.

Dead or Alive 6, while providing a few features a modern fighting game should have, also disappointingly leaves out many important elements, offers very little new content, and forces returning players to purchase the title again. As such, while the title is a solid new release, it's only recommended to new players who don't mind the missing features.

Dead or Alive 6 Last Round brings the fighting game to the new generation with a lackluster offering. There is no discount for owners of the base version, and few items are included in the package — with the rest requiring additional purchases — meaning even those who had already bought all the DLC will have to pay up to complete their collection. Furthermore, the novel features are minimal and not particularly significant. It is still worth a look, however, for the fast-paced, fun combat, which remains the game's greatest highlight.

DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round feels like little more than a cash grab designed to sell more DLC. With no upgrade path for returning players, there is genuinely nothing here that I could recommend over DOA6. If you’re a newcomer, however, then this is still the same engaging, deep fighting game from 2019. A disappointment for long-time fans, we can only hope future updates will add new features. Preferably ones not locked behind a paywall. As it stands now, Last Round is less of an updated version of DOA6, and more of a current gen version of it. Therefore, DEAD OR ALIVE 6: Last Round receives the Thumb Culture Bronze Award.

Dead or Alive 6: Last Round doesn't redefine the series or fix all the issues it's had since its launch. However, it offers a clearly more complete experience, better graphics, and more content.