Dead or Alive 2 - BASICS GUIDE - For Arcade FAQ by Jim3 [jimbo@ola.com.au]
Contents I. Introduction - Intro to DoA 2 - Revision History II. Start-Up - Single Player Modes - Two Player Modes - 1 Player to 2 Player - Comparison III. Controls - Game Controls - Advanced Controls IV. Basics V. Character Bios - Kasumi - Tina - Lei Fang - Jann Lee - Ryu - Zack - Gen Fu - Bass - Ayane - Helen - Leon - Ein VI. Thank You's VII. Legal Stuff
======================================================================= I. INTRODUCTION
INTRO TO DEAD OR ALIVE 2 ======================== This game is simply amazing in every way. From the super realistic graphics to the great control this game has it all. All of this with great gameplay and hot babes, what more can a guy ask for? Well mabey more girls but I think they have enough.
Anyway this game is only in the arcade right now but it shouldn't be for much longer with the US release date set for late February, early March. Well here is a guide for the moves. I'll do as much as possible now and then finish off with the US release on the Dreamcast and write a new one.
[Note:] Really quickly if you have any questions, comments, or you have some suggestions or more information go ahead and send it in. I say this because it is an arcade game and it's harder to make sure what your doing is exactly right, you know?
Well here is what the games systems are, but they seem to be encoded in some secret Tecmo language!? Well mabey not but the words are to big for me.
GAME ENGINE Realtime Inverse Kinematics Class C2 Interpolation Stage Undulation Secondary Motion: Multi Jointed Accessory, Meshed Accessory Morphings: Facial Animation, Hand Animation
ANY-way lets get a move on now...
REVISION HISTORY ================ [Version 1.0] January 9, 2000 This is the first version of my DoA 2 FAQ, which will be frequently updated by me, Jimbo. I will at one point stop until the release of the Dreamcast version, which I will re-write this FAQ for that format. This time I've only done a few sections including the Start-Up, Controls and most of the Basics, which will be finished next update.
[Version 1.1] January 10, 2000 Here's the second update of this FAQ. I've added a lot about 2 pages of info for the sections that I've already started. I fixed up some stuff in the spacing a junk. Anyway there is a bit more basics and a lot more of the start up and stuff. Read it through and I'll start up a new section probably tomorrow or the next day.
[Version 1.2] January 16, 2000 It took a while this time but I've had a lot to do lately. Anyway I've fixed up a lot of the old sections mainly the basics and controls and fixed the counters section a lot thanks to some help. I also added thank you's and a huge character bio section, although I couldn't do the new characters at the moment.
======================================================================= II. START-UP
1-PLAYER START-UP =================== Once you go to the machine and pop in your money you just have to the start button, which should be to the inside of the control setups. Once you do you'll get a screen like this. ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ | | | | | | | | | Single | | Time Attack | | Survival | | Tag Battle | |______________| |______________| |______________| |______________|
Well once you see that, you can just highlight the one you want to do and start up. Of course some of this may not be here, I've heard that the Tag mode must be activated and I'll try to get that info for all of you with a new machine sitting in front of you.
Anyway here's a rundown of what you'll get depending on what you choose.
Single: ====== This is kind of different for a fighting game. It's of course a good way to get people to play with all characters. Anyway this is where you pick 1 character only and fight in an Arcade style. 1-on-1, one after another, while getting a story on the way up!
Time Attack: =========== This is where you play up until you finish the game. You should try to get the fastest time as possible. You should play the game throughout the same order as the Single match only it's not a story mode and just straight fighting until you get to the end. Once you do finish the game you enter your name into the game unless you don't get a good enough time.
Survival: ======== This is pretty self-explanatory I would hope, right? Well this is where you make your way through battle after battle fighting over and over again. You only get one life bar but after you defeat your enemy you can get some health items. I didn't get to far but once you lose you put in your name and it goes into the scores.
Tag Battle: ========== This where most of the fun fights happen in DoA 2. You pick two characters for your team and you fight. There's no story or anything but you and you tag partner battle it out, Marvel Vs. Capcom and Tekken Tag style, this is Sweet!!
2-PLAYER START-UP ================= Some modes aren't for 2 player and depending on when the second player starts different choices will be available. There are only 2 modes though that are possible in a two-player match.
The two are just a single match out of three and the second being a tag match which is only one round in the small stage. If both people put their money in at the same time and hit start either of the two people can choose the type of match it is.
If the second player puts his money in after a match has already started the challenger gets a choice on THIER half of the screen
A new challenger has entered, choose a battle type _______________ _______________ | | | | | Single Battle | | Tag Battle | |_______________| |_______________|
After the challenger chooses which one he/she would like the other person gets a choice.
Do you accept the challengers choice?
After that you can either go with it or choose the other fighting type instead. Once both players are ready you will go to the character selection screen, with all 12 characters. You pick your character/s and then you start out the match. Once it's over the person who lost leaves, [or puts in more money] and the winner goes on.
Depending on if you're the challenger or not you can choose. If you aren't the challenger you go back to the same spot in the same selection as you were before you were challenged.
If you are the challenger you go to the start of the Tag, or Single depending on what type of 2-player match was just chosen. If it was single you do a single if it was a tag you do the tag. You don't get to re-choose your characters either.
Here are the a rundown of the 2-player modes and there differences.
Single: ====== In a 2-player single match you get a first to three bout, ala Virtua Fighter. Through the match you have up to 5 rounds. Throughout each round you may knock your opponent [or be knocked] to a new part of the stage. Once the round is over you will start in the same spot and not go back to the start.
Tag Battle: ========== In a tag battle match it plays out exactly like the single player mode. Each person picks 2 characters and they fight in the enclosed fighting arena. Once one person loses both characters life bars his/her turns over and they have to put in more money.
That's the only play modes for 2-players, which are fine but the tag battle is probably the more interesting out of the two IMO.
1-PLAYER TO 2-PLAYER – COMPARISON ================================= Well those are all the modes in the game for the Arcade. Now I better put in a quick chart to state the differences between them and then out a more explanatory of each one underneath.
Item | Single | Time Attack | Survival | Tag Battle | ---------------------------------------------------------- Plots? | Yes | No | No | No 1 Player | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes 2 Player | Yes | No | No | Yes 1 Fighter | Yes | Yes | Yes | No 2 Fighters | No | No | No | Yes Ending | Yes | Yes | No | Yes Name Entry | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes ----------------------------------------------------------
Well, I could put some more but I don't know any for now. If I get some more I'll ad them later in another update. I don't think I need to say anymore.
======================================================================= III. CONTROLS
GAME CONTROLS ============= The controls for DoA2 are simple at first glance but have a good set of depth in them if you learn them through-and-through. Here is a quick show of the setup of the arcade. __ / \ <-- Joystick \__/ ___ ___ ___ ______ || / \ / \ / \ |______| <-- Start Button || | | | | | | || \___/ \___/ \___/ | | | Free -/ Punch \- Kick
Well that's it, just add another one to the other side of the machine and you got a DoA2 setup. The layout may differ slightly but should be similar in all different setups. Anyway now here is a quick rundown of what the controls are. This is pretty pointless but I better do it for newbies and stuff!? These are found right underneath in the basics section. This will be where the Dreamcast controls will be when I can find them out. I will speculate that these will be the controls.
Movement = Analog and/or Digital Pad Free = X Button Punch = Y button and A Button Kick = B Button Punch + Kick + Free = R Button ???? = L Button
These are only speculation though by me, but they will probably be very close, because that's the arcade controls on the controller and the same as the Playstation controls.
ADVANCED CONTROLS ================= Well these are the more advanced features of the controls, which aren't moves though. All of these are very helpful and are easy to learn so you should learn them in a second or two. Anyway here they are for you to learn...
Block: ===== To block an attack just pull the joystick away from your opponent and then just get hit. If it's a low attack you have to hold down and back to block it. This does take a bit of strategy but not much, just watch your opponents attack then you'll figure it out.
Jumping: ======= To do a simple jump just press the joystick upwards. This will cause you to jump. Once you're in the air you can do air attacks which will be different than normal.
Tagging: ======= This is like the Vs. series and the newer Tekken Tag games. During a tag match you can change from one of your characters to another. Anyway to do this all you have to do is press all three buttons at the same time. It's better if you do it as your opponent is being juggled or on the ground.
Sidestep: ======== Sidestep, which is the easiest way to evade a move that you aren't sure of to block is simple. All you have to do is press either down, down, free for a sidestep toward the screen or press up, free for one away from the screen.
Moving: ====== This isn't just normal moving of course. This is basically where you can walk around anyway in the stage limitations. All you have to do is double tap the joystick in any direction then hold it and press the 'free' button. This will then let you move anywhere you want to.
======================================================================= IV. BASICS
Joystick: ======== Well the joystick is the way you move around and do your moves. To do the moves you can just press an attack button or hold a direction and an attack button which will do a move in that direction. (ala Soul Calibur) This is the best way of doing moves and you can do more than one in a row and produce a combo. Combos can be simple button combinations or in-depth movements and presses. For the character combos see there separate section.
Free: ==== This button is a still a bit of a mystery to me. I get what it's trying to do but it isn't done very smoothly. It is more of movement/counter button because it does both of those functions in one. To do a counter this time you have to block the move and then hit the counter button and the direction of the move being done to you. For example if Kasumi were to do a plain punch to you, you would have to hold back to block release and press counter. If she were to hold the joystick down and press kick you would in turn have to hold down and back to block it then release go back to the down position and press the counter.
This button is also a movement button. The movements are more or less a 3-D movement such as Soul Calibur. If you press any direction twice holding it on the second then holding the free button you will do a walk. Once you start moving you can move in any direction as long as your holding the free button down. This is a good way to evade an attack if you cannot block/counter it. It is also good for setting up a new move for you.
Punch: ===== This is the most basic attack in the game with a normal press. The punch can be manipulated quite easily by pressing the Joystick into a certain direction. Each direction will in turn produce a certain punch in a certain direction. If you use the simple combo system to your advantage you can manipulate the system and create your own combos at will. This is easiest by pressing the punch in a certain direction and then doing the opposite direction, which usually will cause a 2 hit at least.
Kick: ==== This is the other attack button, which is also easily manipulated but slower and less combo friendly. It's easier to use a kick as an ending to a combo or a good hit to knock your opponent away from you. This is also good with certain characters to poke with such as Tina because of her HUGE distance. This is a more powerful move than a punch but harder to combo with because of it's slow nature.
Combos: ====== This is IMO the best combo system only second to Soul Calibur. Yes I am a bit biased toward the DC but who cares? Anyway it's a great combination movement way of doing it. It isn't just set buttons that have to be taped in with timing (ala Tekken) but more of a free combo system. This is very goo because even beginners can 'create' a few good-looking combos without to much trying. Combos in this game are basically set up so that you can press the button to a beat and move the joystick to manipulate that combo's direction. It is very simple yet deep and addictive. I had fun just messing around with the combos.
Anyway to do simple combos mess around with the normal attacks and different movement. Once you can do a good combo try getting some air under your opponent. Once you do you can produce some major Air's in this game not to mention tag combos like in Tekken Tag.
Tag Throws: ========== There are more than one way to enter the ring in a tag match. You can do normal entrances and risk being hit on entrance or you could do a sweet looking, damaging, and simple tag throw. To do one all you have to do is get close to your opponent so you can grab them. Once you're close press back on the joystick plus all three buttons [free, punch, kick] and you will try to grab.
If you do grab you will get a cool throw depending on your two characters. The main one is where you throw your opponent into the air and you other character comes crashing in throwing him/her to the ground. Other characters have special ones like Bass and Tina.
Tag Moves: ========= Not only are there tag throws but there are tag moves which are even cooler! These moves are different depending on your characters also. To do a tag move you only have to press forward and all three buttons [free, punch, kick] and you will do it. These moves range from arm vaults to neck-breakers and are very cool to watch in motion.
Tag Combos: ========== This is another cool system that is still pretty new to the 3-D fighting arena. It was started in Tekken Tag to the best of my knowledge? Anyway this is where you start with one character and do a combo. This combo will have to knock your opponent into the air and keep them there for a few seconds. Once you do you tag your opponent and keep doing the combo with him/her. I've done them and I've seen some that keep going for close to 5 character tags!!
Well these are hard sometimes depending on which characters you have chosen. I find it's easier with fast characters (Kasumi, Ayane) to do these but they can be done with any characters.
Free Movement: ============= This is a feature ripped right out of the magnificent Namco fighter Soul Calibur. It is where you move around in circles or any direction making it a free moving game. This is a simple procedure of pressing either up or down twice and holding it on the second time. Once held press the free button and hold that. Once held you can move the joystick freely and your character will walk in that direction.
While moving around your moves are also different to than your normal moves.
Throws: ====== Each character has there own special throws, which are different for each character. This move though is the same for each character. To do a plain arm throw you just get close to your opponent and press the free and punch button at the same time. Once you grab the opponent you get the throw unless they do a throw block.
All characters though have other throws for you to do. This is just a basic throw for each character.
Knock Downs: =========== A knock down or a hard hit is a very useful move in this game. Each character has there own and they're all different to do but they can all do the same. They are done when your opponent is close to a wall, which his back it facing. Once it his you do a hard-hitting move. Once done the character will hit into the wall behind him with a big cool looking flash and do more damage than normal.
Counters: ======== This is a very in-depth thing, which I wasn't so aware of. Anyway I got a bit of help and here's what I know. Counters in DoA 2 are based on a sort of pinpoint hold system. This hold system is where you have to pick the areas the move is going to go. Once you know or think you do you can try one of the following for the different types or attacks...
- HIGH-BASED ATTACK To counter a high-based kick or punch you have to press: Forward, Up/Back, Free
- MID-BASED PUNCH To counter a mid-based punch only you have to press: Forward, Back, Free
- MID-BASED KICK To do a pinpoint hold on a mid-based kick move you have to press: Back, Forward, Free
- LOW-BASED ATTACK Finally for the low-based attack you have to press: Forward, Down/Back, Free
These hold/counters are the same for every character in the game, although the animations will be different to their different style of fighting. Also some characters can use their parries from the first DoA, which I'll add in at a later time.
If you aren't very good at telling which move your opponent is going to do (it's harder against a CPU player because they have a good variety) you can counter the last move of a combo. This is exactly the same but you might have to start a bit earlier but not to early as to get hit from the move before it.
I'd like to give a shout-out to, YC Tan, thanks for the help in the counters and a bit of the free movement stuff.
Well that's all I got for now so I'll move on again. If I figure out something else or remember I'll add it in. If you have something that should be added in to this section gives me a ring at jimbo@ola.com.au and I'll chuck it in there.
======================================================================= V. CHARACTER BIOS
> Story - DoA 1: Kasumi's brother, Hayate, was next in line to success as the 18th master of the Mugen Tenjin Academy... until one fateful day when an assassin attacked and crippled him. Her father Shinden was left bitter and refuses to mention the details surrounding the attack. Kasumi wants revenge; and she's determined to succeed as the 18th master of the school.
TINA ARMSTRONG ============== > Birthdate - December 6th > Height - 6 foot 1 inch > Weight - 172 pounds (yeah right?) > Measurements - B=35" / W=22" / H=35" > Nationality - American [USA] > Style - Wrestling > Profession - Pro-Wrestler > Favorite Food - Seafood > Hobby - Outdoor Sports, Laser Tag
>Story DoA 1: Tina has been a pro wrestler since high school, and has worked her way up to become one of the most feared lethal competitors in Dead or Alive. (Tina's father, trainer, and chief support, Bass Armstrong, also joins the tournament this time). Tina almost 'threw in the gloves' last year until her father stepped in again and convinced her to take on the world. Bass things Tina is in it for the glory of winning the DoA tournament, but her real aim is to be discovered in Hollywood.
> Story - DoA 1: Lei Fang is an impulsive, yet determined prodigy of Taikyoku Ken. Don't let her sweet smile fool you... she make look like and angel, but she's got a devilish determination to prove herself. You'd better keep your eyes on her at all times.
Her confidence has been shaken just once, several years ago. Lei was challenged by a gang of street fighters. She was prepared to take them on single-handedly, but a boy named Gi, wearing a dragon emblem, suddenly jumped out to her rescue. If there's one thing Lei hates, it's someone assuming that she can't handle things on here own. The incident left her determined to find and defeat Gi... and anyone standing in her way.
JANN LEE ======== > Birthdate – November 27th > Height – 5 foot 9 inches > Weight – 165 pounds > Measurements – B=39" / W=32" / H=36" > Nationality - Chinese > Style – Jeet Kune Do > Profession - Bodyguard > Favorite Food – Hamburger, Grapefruit > Hobby – Watching action movies
> Story - DoA 1: Jann Lee's parents escaped China's Maoist regime when a boy child was born, then left him an orphan, alone to fend for himself. He threw himself into the study of J-K-D soon after. At first he fought to replace what he had lost when his parents dies, eventually Jann fought just for the sake of fighting.
Jann Lee, one of the youngest Dead or Alive fighters is a well-established master of J-K-D. He uses this art almost daily in his work as a professional body guard., where he protects highly secretive, controversial political figures. Jann may look like an unwary target, but every ounce of Jann Lee is lethal... especially if you try to mess with him on a bad day.
> Story - DoA 1: A dark figure approaches and hands Ryu a piece of paper stained with something red. Then, without a word, the figure slips away. Welcome to Dead Or Alive – from Fame Douglas.
Ryu bears a name "Hayabusa" an honor bestowed upon only the most distinguishes of Ninja's coming from the Hayabusa School. His life had been continuous fight until he met his love, Aileen, and found satisfaction in peace. But his thirst for challenge returned when he learned that his best friend's sister, Kasumi, had disappeared.
The invitation in his hand beckoned and wrinkled like an old lover. Another seduction from the dark. Once again, Ryu became a shadow of darkness.
> Story - DoA 1: REPORTER: We are here with Mr. Zack, who is about to participate in the DoA championships. Mr. Zack... ZACK: Where's the camera? Are you sure you've got my best side? REPORTER: Mr. Zack, uh, that's a little to close to the camera. Great. So I understand that you studied the ancient martial art Muetai... ZACK: Hey man, sorry-you know what I mean? Gotta Go. Thanks for your support. It's gonna be a cool night. The prize is mine. REPORTER: Sir, I... ZACK: Sorry, man. Be cool. This tournament rocks!
GEN FU ====== > Birthdate - January 5th > Height - 5 foot 7 inches > Weight - 171 pounds > Measurements - B=38" / W=40" / H=39" > Nationality - Chinese > Style - Shini-Rokugo-Ken > Profession - Used Bookstore Owner > Favorite Food - Mabo Tofu > Hobby - Chinese Painting
> Story - DoA 1: Gen Fu left his native china in 1976. He barley made his escape before his cohorts were caught and imprisoned under the misnomer "going of Four".
No one knows the real reason Gen Fu recently came out of retirement. No one would guess the dream that haunts Gen Fu nightly. Only his closest enemies suspect that something profound must have caused the old man to come out of his retirement.
[COMING SOON – Stages, and DoA 2 stories, if I can get them? Plus I'll try and get the bios for the new characters]
======================================================================= VI. THANK YOU'S
This is where I'll thank anyone and everyone who's helped me out in this FAQ.
Tecmo [Good job making this great looking and playing fighting game] Sega [For making the Naomi board, the heart and soul of the game] YC Tan [Thanks for the counters and the movement stuff, it helped]
======================================================================= VII. LEGAL STUFF
This FAQ is mine and mine only. It has been written for free access from GameFaqs.com and cannot be used on any other site without my permission. E-mail me and ask me for usage of this FAQ at,
