(Author’s Note: Originally posted March 2015)
Lately, the PC platform has been seeing a surge in titles that, just a couple of years ago, would only be playable on consoles. For example, Square Enix started porting its Final Fantasy franchise (VII and VII had been released prior to this on PC), we see Metal Gear Solid: Revengence making its way to the platform, and we are seeing established fighting franchises such as Street Fighter IV, and potentially Tekken 7, coming to PC. Added to the list of games available is Dead or Alive 5: Last Round on the PC. But there are missing features that make it unsuitable as a day-one purchase and one has to wonder, should you purchase Dead or Alive 5: Last Round?
As PC gamers are already aware, one of the downsides to seeing some of the console games being released on PC is that they are not properly optimized for the platform. And DOA5LR is no exception. While this is the first time the franchise is coming to PC, Team Ninja doesn’t appear to be cognizant of that fact. Instead, PC gamers are being sold a product that is inferior to its console counterpart in many ways.
The biggest issue, straight away, is that DOA5LR is currently being sold as a single player-only title with multiplayer presumably being added several months later. According to the game’s Steam Page, “Online modes for Dead or Alive 5: Last Round will be added in a patch within 3 months of release.” However, on Team Ninja’s Game FAQs page it states, “Online play is planned to be added at a later date. Details will be announced on the website when they are available.”
Don’t you just love the mixed message?
But the missing features don’t stop there. DOA5LR does not support cloud saves and there are no Steam achievements or Steam Trading Cards. While I’m not exactly miffed about achievements or cards that much, there are plenty of gamers who do like those extra little things. But the lack of cloud saves is irksome and is a feature that should be present in all games released on PC these days.
However, not only is there a lack of cloud saves, but a user’s Steam Name can cause problems with save files. A Steam forum user pointed out that DOA5’s manual states that users with certain characters in their Steam profile name (? ! < > * / ^) will have save problems. But the issues don’t stop there. Changing your Steam ID after saving the game could cause the save file to no longer work.
Then there is the issue of the game’s graphics. While PC gamers will be able to play the game up to 4K resolution, the Steam product page goes on to say that the game’s effects are equivalent to the PlayStation 3 version. The exclusion of the game’s Soft Engine is also worrisome, considering that it was developed to make all the characters’ skin look softer on the PS4 and Xbox One.
You’d think that it would all stop there, but it doesn’t. While Dead or Alive 5: Last Round is supposed to be the definitive edition (it has already been released for the PS4 and Xbox One), the PC version will not include the Danger Zone or Crimson stages. The game also doesn’t support keyboard remapping or controller vibration (force feedback). And let us not forget that DOA5 was plagued by launch issues.
Even with all of those issues and problems, I find it galling that Team Ninja has warned PC gamers that we should play the game in a “good and moral manner.” A warning that reeks of hypocrisy considering that the developer hinges the franchise’s success on its female characters and the ability to clothe them in a salacious manner (pre-order rewards includes Aloha and Beach Party costumes). But the threat is clear; Team Ninja will not release any more titles for the PC again if PC gamers do not treat the game properly (yet there have been nude mods for the game over the years).
So why demand that we treat the game properly if you cannot treat PC gamers properly? Yes, it is great to see that console developers are finally looking at the PC platform as another revenue stream. However, the lack of attention and optimization being shown puts the PC platform and PC gamers in a tenuous position. The release of Dead or Alive 5: Last Round appears to be nothing more than a cheap cash grab for Team Ninja, and most likely Koei Tecmo Games who is possibly looking to release the PC version within the same timeframe as its console counterpart.
I can’t help but wonder how many people have purchased this game on PC hoping to play with their friends online. That alone should warrant a refund for those who pre-ordered the game on Steam (if Valve is willing to ignore its horrendous no-refund policy which it has in the past). But the information about Dead or Alive 5: Last Round’s current lack of multiplayer and lack of features needs to be relayed to everyone. Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo are peddling an unfinished product and it shouldn’t be purchased at this time. For those of you on the fence about purchasing it, I would suggest you wait and see if the developer finally adds in the game’s online modes and optimizes it for the PC platform.
Developers need to realize that they can’t sell a poor PC port to PC gamers and expect to make a profit from doing so. It is a dishonest practice that shows a clear lack of respect for the platform and its consumers.