Don't worry, Dead or Alive 5’s kung fu is strong indeed. Of course, the most important thing is how the game feels. It's an exhaustive suite of bells and whistles that should satisfy both casual and serious fight fans alike.

Developer Team Ninja laudably includes them, along with a fully voiced story mode teeming with well-produced cutscenes and plot twists, and all the single player content DOA fans have come to expect. Those gamers who play at the tournament level ask for such features all the time.

Despite how much experience I have with the franchise, this training mode is teaching me things I never knew about characters I've played for years. Everything from frame data to player states and move properties are relayed in real time, giving advanced players the kind of knowledge they need to intelligently develop their play style. But the real gem here is the insanely deep training mode, which provides players with more detailed information about their moves than they've ever had before. The ability to download and upload replays, Facebook integration, and online training sessions are just a few examples of how the overall experience has improved. During my first hours with the game, I was consistently surprised by the all-inclusive package of features on offer. Mix that with exciting interactive stages, gorgeous visuals, and a comprehensive feature set, and you get a package that can entertain everyone - from the Monday night button mashers to the exacting tournament pros.

Thanks to a number of key tweaks and additions, the fighting system is deeper and more balanced than ever. At long last, the folks at Team Ninja have seen it too, and the result is Dead or Alive 5, a fighter that's far more interested in beating you down than getting you off.

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