Dead or Alive 6 Last Round PS5 Review

Gameplay

Graphics

Audio

Value

Summary: Dead or Alive 6, while providing a few features a modern fighting game should have, also disappointingly leaves out many important elements, offers very little new content, and forces returning players to purchase the title again. As such, while the title is a solid new release, it's only recommended to new players who don't mind the missing features.

3.1

Dismissed on Arrival

Dead or Alive 6 Last Round is the latest entry in the fan‑favorite fighting game series and the latest Koei Tecmo title to receive the remaster and re‑release treatment. The game brings some new features, but its release is plagued by missed opportunities and wasted potential to make a meaningful resurgence with new, relevant modern features. As a result, the experience, while solid, is far from stellar.

Developed by Team Ninja, Dead or Alive 6 builds upon the fast-paced combat and fluid movement that have defined the series for decades. Despite its shortcomings, the core gameplay remains one of the strongest aspects of the package, offering exciting one-on-one battles that reward timing, positioning, and quick decision-making.

The combat system is where Dead or Alive 6 truly shines. Matches are fast, responsive, and easy to understand on the surface, while hiding surprising mechanical depth beneath the surface. The familiar triangle system of strikes, throws, and holds returns, creating an engaging risk-and-reward dynamic in every encounter. Players who attack recklessly can be punished with well-timed counters, while defensive players must remain alert against throws designed to break through cautious play. This constant exchange makes every round feel tense, as momentum can shift dramatically within seconds. The introduction of the Break Gauge adds another layer by allowing players to unleash cinematic Break Blows or escape pressure with Break Holds, making the game more approachable without completely sacrificing the technical depth that longtime fans appreciate.

The roster offers a healthy selection of fighters, each with unique fighting styles and personalities. Returning favorites blend naturally with newcomers, ensuring there is a character suited to nearly every type of player. Whether players prefer fast martial artists, powerful grapplers, or technically demanding fighters with long combo strings, there is plenty of room for experimentation. Character balance is generally respectable, especially after numerous updates from the original release. Learning individual matchups is an enjoyable challenge because every fighter has distinctive strengths and weaknesses that encourage adaptation rather than relying on repetitive strategies. Last Round includes every character from the original release, plus the five DLC characters: Nyotengu, Phase 4, Momiji, Rachel, and Tamaki. Team Ninja also promises more character balancing, and a new character for the game has already been announced, which is promising, as it shows a willingness to provide full support.

Single‑player content delivers a mixed experience. The story mode continues the franchise’s ongoing narrative with cinematic cutscenes and numerous character perspectives. The plot feels incredibly disjointed due to abrupt transitions between events and unnecessary breaks. The narrative forces mandatory pauses to play other character stories before resuming the one you’re currently playing, includes sections with only cinematics and no gameplay, and features more odd executions. What’s more, navigating the story chart is still an unnecessary chore, and it would’ve been great if it had been streamlined in this release.

Players unfamiliar with previous games may struggle to follow the narrative, as it assumes knowledge of long-running rivalries and relationships. Other than that, the Arcade, Time Attack, Survival, Combo Challenges, and Training modes provide additional content for solo players, with the tutorial doing an admirable job of explaining both basic and advanced mechanics. However, while there is enough content to practice and improve, some players may wish for more substantial offline modes to extend the game’s play time beyond multiplayer.

Online multiplayer is where Dead or Alive 6 usually thrives. Ranked and casual matches offer plenty of opportunities to test skills against opponents from around the world, and the netcode performs reasonably well under favorable conditions. However, the online experience can be incredibly inconsistent because, even in 2026, Dead or Alive 6 Last Round does not feature rollback netcode. As such, some encounters facing opponents online can be a nightmare at times. Additionally, the game lacks crossplay, and it doesn’t seem like Team Ninja plans to add these two features, which is disappointing.

Other disappointing parts of the game include the lack of a free upgrade or even a discounted upgrade path for players who own the original release. Additionally, the game comes with most costumes locked, except for a few for Kasumi, Ayane, Marie Rose, Honoka, and NiCO. Most character costumes are locked behind a paywall, even seven-year-old ones, and the only new content is costumes for Kula and Mai Shiranui. You can’t even get some DLC costumes because you have to get the original game or at least the Core Fighters version of the original game, then carry them over to this release.

There also aren’t any new characters in the base game. While the newly announced character will be paid, which makes sense, adding at least one new character to the base release would’ve been a welcome improvement. The only other new content in this release is a camera mode with advanced controls, pose selection and the ability to manually tweak details such as sweat, dirt and facial expressions. It’s a solid addition, but the release doesn’t offer much else.

Visually, Dead or Alive 6 Last Round presents detailed character models and smooth animations that make every punch, kick, and throw feel impactful. The stages are colorful and feature interactive environmental hazards that have long been a signature element of the franchise. The graphics represent a noticeable improvement over earlier entries, and the latest release showcases impeccable visuals, specifically the character models, character and outfit designs, visual effects, art direction, and more. Additionally, the new version provides a solid and consistent frame rate that highlights the game’s crisp motions and intricate movesets.

Final Thoughts?

Overall, Dead or Alive 6 succeeds where it matters most by delivering exciting, technically satisfying combat that remains easy to pick up yet difficult to master. The refined mechanics, varied roster, and emphasis on movement ensure every fight feels engaging, while the interactive environments preserve the unique identity that sets the series apart from many competitors. However, Dead or Alive 6, while providing a few features a modern fighting game should have, also disappointingly leaves out many important elements, offers very little new content, and forces returning players to purchase the title again. As such, while the title is a solid new release, it’s only recommended to new players who don’t mind the missing features.

About the Author

Abdul Saad Abdul Saad is an avid gamer and computer geek. He's been writing for four years on news, reviews, previews, and more on multiple gaming sites. When he isn't writing or playing the latest JRPG, he can be found coding games of his own or tinkering with something electrical.

Dead or Alive 6 Last Round PS5 Review