DEF JAM VENDETTA II

[dubq]

Personally, I had hours of fun playing the original with a few friends. I think the thing that did it for me was the AKI engine..

 

From Gamespot...

 

EA announces Def Jam Vendetta II

 

Electronic Arts announces that it will release the sequel to its hip-hop-inspired fighting game this fall. First screens inside.

 

Electronic Arts has today the announced the development of Def Jam Vendetta II (working title) for all current generation consoles. The game is being developed by EA Canada in conjunction with Japan-based AKI Corporation, and is currently scheduled for release this fall.

 

Def Jam Vendetta II will see players assuming the role of a ruthless NYC street fighter battling for control of the hip-hop underground, and boasts an all-new fighting engine that allows players to customize multiple fighting styles as they progress through the game. Over 70 characters will feature in Def Jam Vendetta II, including over 35 hip-hop personalities such as Busta Rhymes, Lil' Kim, Ludacris, Method Man, Redman, Slick Rick, Snoop Dogg, and Carmen Electra.

 

"As the line between games and traditional forms of entertainment continues to blur, EA will continue to partner with strong brands like Def Jam to redefine the rules with innovative new titles like Def Jam Vendetta II," said Jeff Karp, vice president of marketing for EA.

 

"The Def Jam-EA relationship is once again on the forefront of industry-leading entertainment with Def Jam Vendetta II," added Kevin Liles, president and CEO, Def Jam. "By fusing hip-hop culture with innovative, addictive gameplay, Def Jam Vendetta II is the ultimate interactive hip-hop lifestyle product. It redefines the gaming experience."

 

We'll bring you more information on Def Jam Vendetta II as soon as it becomes available.

Screens: 1, 2 & 3.

[EricMM]

There is only one question:

 

CAW: yes or no?

 

actually two questions:

 

how many moves???

[dubq]

Dunno, but a CAF would kick ass. Knowing AKI, there'll be tons of moves to choose from.

[caboose]

In that first picture, it looks like the Undertaker is getting kicked.

[Ripper]

Toss on a CAW and I will be all over this game.

 

Plus they can turn down the speed a LITTLE. I'm all for fast game play but shit. And the MILLION REVERSALS OF DOOM~!. Those were my only complaints about the first game.

 

Ripper- Who could give a shit about story modes because they all become repetitive eventually.

[Damaramu]

More Rappers? That's cool. I didn't think there were near enough in the last one.

Will the rappers have there gangs that you fight to get to them like in the last one? I liked that to.

I just liked the game all over. It had a good soundtrack to.

[Mecha Mummy]

Fuck the rappers, they damn well better bring Masa and Moses back. They both own.

[Downhome]

Bring it on says I.

 

I love the first one, it's just about exactly what I wish WWE would come out with.

[Guest Coffey]

Oh boy! /sarcasm

[Ripper]

Fuck the rappers, they damn well better bring Masa and Moses back. They both own.

Moses was the mofucking man

[Ted the Poster]

Fuck the rappers, they damn well better bring Masa and Moses back. They both own.

Moses was the mofucking man

Fuck yeah, he was my favorite too. He had the best finishers in the game. If this new game has finishers from different positions, I'd love to see "Hallellujah" performed out of the corner. Ownage. It should also be fun to play as Snoop, but fifty bucks says one of his finishers is called "Doggystyle".

 

Oh, and why the hell is Carmen Electra in this game? Did Jenny McCarthy and Tracy Bingham ask for too much money? It's hard to believe that this will be Electra's SECOND time appearing in a video game. Jeez, just put some pornstars in the game and give them fake names so parents don't recognize them. Rappers like pornstars, don't they?

[AndrewTS]

Is Lil' Kim an actual wrestler in that game? Or just a valet?

 

Since when is Carmen Electra a rapper? Or did she have sex with one and so she gets in by proxy?

 

Jeez, just put some pornstars in the game and give them fake names so parents don't recognize them.

 

That parents that would care MIGHT not recognize their real names.

 

Rappers like pornstars, don't they?

 

I think so.

[MarvinisaLunatic]

Uh..this might be stupid..but..

 

WHERES THE RING?

 

Looks like a regular fighting game with some wrestling moves..

[EricMM]

Maybe they're abandoning the ring in favor of "stages"?

[MarvinisaLunatic]

Maybe they're abandoning the ring in favor of "stages"?

coughBACKSTAGEASSAULT2cough

[EricMM]

I'm not saying it's a GOOD thing, just a thing...

[dubq]

Well, the game is supposed to be more of a "Street fighting" themed game.. if it's done properly, I can do without the ring.

[Ced]

DJV was a rental for me. I like the game overall, but the arcade pace and feel along with the lack of wrestling personas prevented me from purchasing it.

 

DJV w/ Aki's Wrestling Game Engine = Rental

SmackDown!: HCTP = Rental

SmackDown!: HCTP's presentation + Aki's Wrestling Game Engine =

[dubq]

Honestly, I liked the HCTP engine way better than AKI's.

[Ripper]

Honestly, I liked the HCTP engine way better than AKI's.

April Fools was yesterday, silly.

[AndrewTS]

So, why'd AKI stop doing the WWE games?

 

WWE's choice (which would stupid)?

 

Or did WWE have no choice in the matter, because their agreement is with THQ and not any of the actual developers?

[dubq]

Honestly, I liked the HCTP engine way better than AKI's.

April Fools was yesterday, silly.

I'm serious dude, it was WAY improved on from the SYM engine. I mean, any game that gives me 16 standing front grapples and an easy method to pulling them off is a-okay in my books. The only difference was that with AKI's engine you had to hold down the grapple button to get a stronger attack..

[dubq]

So, why'd AKI stop doing the WWE games?

 

WWE's choice (which would stupid)?

 

Or did WWE have no choice in the matter, because their agreement is with THQ and not any of the actual developers?

I heard they went out of business for a time..

[Guest DVD Spree]

So, why'd AKI stop doing the WWE games?

 

WWE's choice (which would stupid)?

 

Or did WWE have no choice in the matter, because their agreement is with THQ and not any of the actual developers?

 

Nothing to do with the WWF - THQ's agreement with AKI expired, thanks largely to the departure of THQ's Sanders Keal (a huge supporter of AKI). It was actually pretty ugly - Sanders was dumped rather unceremoniously, and AKI weren't treated much better. A number of AKI coders left to join Yukes!, but nothing like the mass exodus that took place with Free Radical (or even NOAH, to give a wrestling analogy).

 

Since THQ were doing huge business with the Yukes!-developed PlayStation SmackDown! series, they simply licensed them to take over the Nintendo titles as well - I would imagine the same thing will happen with the Xbox titles at some stage.

[Guest The Notorious CRD]

According to PSM, your character is created at the beginning of the game and then you take him/her thru the storyline mode.

 

I wish it was more wrestling-oriented and not a fighting game, but after reading PSM's article I'm definitely intrigued.

[The Amazing Rando]

In that second picture...the white shirted guy's wrist looks fucked up beyond repair. I don't even know if my hand can bend that way.

[dubq]

I'm glad to see that the "Nyne" character is back. He was one of my favourites. Great moveset for him.

[The Ghost of bps21]

The new official Xbox magazine has a long article previewing the game and the storyline for those interested.

 

Things of note:

 

There are 5 different distinct fighting styles: Wrestling, MMA, Submission style, street fighting and kickboxing.

 

There are some stages that would use rings...but also some where you can throw your opponent in front of an oncoming subway car...and lots of stuff in between.

 

Your main nemesis in the game is Snoop Dogg.

[Corey_Lazarus]

Any mention whatsoever of a CAW or CAW equivalent?

[dubq]

First Impressions, Trailer and more Screens, from Gamespot:

 

 

In the wake of Electronic Arts' recent announcement of Def Jam Vendetta II, we took a long look at the teaser trailer to see what EA and Aki are cooking up for the next entry in the promising new franchise. The original Def Jam Vendetta presented a surprisingly good blend of solid gameplay and a liberal dose of Def Jam's trademark personality. Japan-based developer Aki's experience with the wrestling genre allowed the original DJV to offer a surprisingly addictive experience, with rich gameplay and atmosphere. For the follow-up, it appears Aki is headed off into some unique, new territory that should expand nicely on last year's game.

 

While the brief trailer didn't showcase a ton of gameplay, there are some provocative tidbits on display if you keep your eyes peeled. The snippets of a brawl between Method Man and what looks to be an original character for the game give some hints as to how the gameplay is changing in this installment. The new fighting system mentioned in the press release appears to shift the mechanics away from the wrestling system Aki used in the original game and instead makes use of elements seen in traditional fighting games. Weapons appear to be a new addition to this year's game; for instance, you'll notice a creative use of a glass bottle in the trailer. The environments themselves will also serve as weapons, and they appear to feature some interactive elements. The trailer clearly showed Method getting smacked into what appeared to be stage lights in one part of the arena and, our personal favorite, Method slamming his opponent into a pole and then kicking him through it.

 

The trailer also revealed a few hard facts in bullet-point fashion that give a good idea of the game's scope: 90 fights, 40 artists, 22 venues, and five fighting styles, which should offer quite a bit of content. We admit we're pretty intrigued by the use of weapons, the interactive environments, and the five fighting styles. The features seem more akin to what you'd find in a traditional fighting game than in a wrestling game, which should make for a decidedly different experience. While there's no word on whether the girlfriend system from the original game will make a return, the presence of Lil' Kim and Carmen Electra in the game's roster ensures there will certainly be some memorable action to be had (not to mention the potential gravity-defying costumes).

 

Based on the information we've gathered on the game from the press release and the teaser, Def Jam Vendetta II seems to be on the right path to follow up on last year's strong start for the franchise. The new fighting engine sounds promising, and the roster of characters is looking good as well. We're curious to find out what's going on in the game's modes, such as whether there will be any online action involved and what EA and Aki will do with the girlfriend feature for this installment. Def Jam Vendetta II is currently slated to ship this fall for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. Look for more on the game in the coming months. To get an exclusive look at the teaser trailer for the game, check out our media page.

The trailer...

 

Screens: 1, 2, 3, Method Man & the DJVII logo.

 

...still no mention of a CAF feature.