Def Jam Vendatta Review (no fat)

Game Description

Your friend Manny owes money to D-Mob, a notorious gangster in the underworld. Since Manny is unavailable to fight, your job is to replace him and fight all the gangsters and bosses under D-Mob and try to win the money back. The Def Jam label artists make their debut as bosses who have to be defeated to earn cash. Beginning with 4 characters, successive ones can be unlocked as one progresses through the game.

Def Jam Vendetta - Gameplay

This game has original wrestling designed from scratch which is its true strength. As one grapples with the various gangsters, all the traditional elements of wrestling like grappling, holds, twists, slams and knockouts come into play. The player can choose one of four characters to star in the Story mode and will progress through the story after beating various wrestlers. To clear a level, one has to beat the Boss character at that level, played by a Def Jam rapper.

The Def Jam label has been used in a novel way in this game. The features like gangsters, girls and cash are brought in but it is refreshing that the Rappers do not play the lead but are the villains. As one progresses through each level, one can utilize the cash earned to improve wrestler stats.

As a side-track, you can play as one of the girl friends and fight for the honor of going steady with the wrestler. This girl to girl match is strictly not for the girly types, as the wrestling here is equally brutal!! A win here would unlock the real-life pictures of the models used for each girl.

Quite a bit of the traditional wrestling rules like pinning opponents for a count of three for a win are retained in the game. There is no referee and the fighting can also continue outside the ring. The most obvious way of winning is via a Knock Out. Then there is pinning the opponent as well as waiting for the opponent to submit. The opponent will forfeit the game if any of his areas like head, body, arms or legs are weakened due to sustained grappling and attack.

Depending on the success of a particular move or a combination of 3 moves, the ‘Momentum Meter’ of the wrestler is filled up. More momentum you have, higher your chances of beating your opponent using a Knock Out. There is some strategy involved in deciding whether to wait for a submission win or build up the Momentum meter and go for a knock out. In such cases, an apt blend of offence and defense is needed.

One problem with the Story mode is that all 4 characters are involved in the same storyline. The only difference is in their stats and starting points in the story. The multiplayer options involve 1-4 players and also include tag with two-on-two. The controls are very smooth and take advantage of the simple design of the console. Button clicks are all that are needed to effectively grapple and neutralize the opponent’s moves. The grappling is touch sensitive, with feather touches resulting in a weaker grapple and a hard press unleashing a vicious one.

Def Jam Vendetta - Audio

The hardcore rappers in the Def Jam stable show their mettle in the audio. 18 sound tracks are available, including ones by Method Man, Scarface and DMX. Since the music is closely entwined with the gameplay, players uncomfortable with the music may not really enjoy the game.

Def Jam Vendetta - Video

Even though the actual game looks tailor made for the GameCube, the cinemas shown in between the fights suffer due to the physical dimensions of the console. Each of the 44 characters are etched finely and do not look the same. Their individual styles and quirks are brought out nicely in the video.

The animations add to the tension of the game – there is a miniscule time lag between your executing a move and it being reflected and the results of your move will not be known until then.

Def Jam Vendetta - Summing Up

As the game offers decent wrestling moves and a good story, you will like Def Jam Vendetta if you are a fan of wrestling. If you are into hip-hop and the heady mix of rap along with gangster attitude and girls, the game will be a dream-come-true. For people who are not into wrestling or into hip-hop, the genre may not be very captivating.

Def Jam Vendetta - Cost

Def Jam Vendetta currently retails for $24.99US at the time of writing.