EA and AKI deliver on their urban fighting sequel.

Last year AKI came back out of obscurity with Def Jam Vendetta. When the once popular developers of the great N64 games like No Mercy and WCW Revenge disappeared, gamers wondered when they would see them again. Last year, gamer's prayers were answered with not just one, but two releases from the company. Def Jam and Ultimate Muscle. Both games delivered on fond memories of spectacular game play and depth, with only one of the two being an overwhelming seller, Def Jam. Well AKI and EA know a sequel when they smell it, and with the success of Def Jam, there was no doubt a sequel was forthcoming.

Def Jam: Fight for New York is that sequel. The questions are obvious. Does this version bring more options, fighters, and innovative game play that surpass the original? The answer is a resounding yes! Not only does DJ:FfNY look the part, sound the part, but also it plays the part of a true gaming follow-up.

Starting with the visuals, all I can say is, damn this looks pretty! The player models are incredibly detailed in every aspect from their facial expressions to the wrinkles in their jeans. You even have a bevy of famous hip-hop stars that look true to life. Recognizing Redman, Busta Rhymes, or even non-hip hopper Henry Rollins is easy to spot from just a glance. Granted, most of the superstars are not as big or cut as their video game counterparts, with the exception of Rollins who is just that ripped. What's more, there is a create-a-player feature in the game that not only allows you to add a player to the story mode, but in the cut scenes as well! The environments are extraordinarily detailed and vary from bar houses, to underground clubs, each having "sticky" points for utilizing items in the background. Pick up bottles, use speakers, lights, etc. to do even more damage to your opponent. The presentation is top notch with well laid out movie style cut scenes, and a stop motion effect for special moves. Everything in the game is colorful, clean, and immensely detailed. Even if you are not a fan of the entertainers or even fighting games, the visuals are, so good you will want to pick up a controller just to check out the game for yourself.

Audio captures the essence of the game, supplying beats from today's hot hip-hop and R&B; artists. The background ambiences are also juiced with special effect sounds for big moves. Even the voice acting by all the major players seems realistic in style and tone. All this and brought to you in beautiful sounding Dolby Digital.

Game play has AKI's mark all over it. AKI developed a strong grappling engine for the wrestling games on the N64, and have improved on that system by adding more moves and reversals. Toss in interactive backgrounds and weapons to increase the depth of the game play. There are five fighting styles you can learn; street fighting, kickboxing, martial arts, submission, and wrestling. You can even combine up to three of those styles to create a hybrid fighting style that cannot be matched. The button layout is pretty basic, a button to punch, kick, run, block, and grapple. Using a combination of these buttons offer up some vicious combos that will make you wince. You also have a "blazin" meter that once filled you can pull off several special moves on your opponent by tapping the right analog to set off the motion and pressing a button after grappling. The controls feel precise and fluid as they react according to the situation you are in. If one thing that may be a downer to some casual gamers is the difficult A.I. in the game. Even on the easiest setting, you will find yourself playing plenty of rematches in order to become victorious and progress the story. This would not be so bad if you did not have to use a player with mediocre skills to fight a less than mediocre opponent. This is a minor gripe, mind you, but I can see where some gamers may be turned off by this aggressive A.I. I just say, practice makes perfect. Throughout the story, you will acquire more moves and techniques, as well as higher skill points that will have you dominating all comers once you get your person past newbie skills. If you enjoyed either the last Def Jam game or the N64 wrestling games, you will be comfortable with the game play style of Fight for NY.

Def Jam: FfNY offers a good amount of game play modes, from one on one combat to demolition matches, you know from your very first fight that this game goes beyond Vendetta and out of the ring. The heart of the game is Story Mode where you create a fighter and prove yourself to your posse. It is here where you must win matches that award you with development points, skill points, and dollars. The money in the game can be used to buy new gear, get a haircut, or even tattoos. There are plenty of ways to modify your character, and looks in this game are important to keep your enemies impressed and at bay. An unfortunate omission of online play kept this from scoring an A, especially since it was promised until almost release time, and pulled before the final build. This could have offered much more longevity to an already solid title.

Overall, if you enjoy fighting games, Def Jam: Fight for New York has plenty of moves, modes, arenas, and depth that will satisfy even the biggest playa hater! EA Games has a brilliant new franchise on their hands to add to their huge list of fantastic titles. Def Jam: FfNY is definitely a winner.