Source: http://gamesdomain.yahoo.com/ps2/death_by_degrees/preview/59947
While fighting fans and followers of the Tekken series are familiar with Nina's neck-snapping antics in the fighting arena, it is her new adventures in Death by Degrees that had us intrigued. Billed as a third-person action adventure, you assume the role of Nina in a solo outing that expands on her character as a deadly assassin. Although rough around the edges in our original viewing last year, Namco recently stopped by with the latest version, and everything looks much improved.
The demo began with an impressive computer-generated intro movie that's on par with Namco's other big name titles. The cutscenes are more than just eye-candy; they also help set up the level's objectives and provide genuinely useful clues and regarding Nina's mission objectives.
Death by Degrees was designed to be a mix of pure action, exploration, and puzzle solving, all glued together by its most unusual feature -- its analog-based combat system. At its very basics, you use the right analog stick as a directional attack input. Fundamentally, this makes the player fully aware of Nina's spatial environment and where her enemies are located -- you can't just mind-numbingly mash attack buttons when rushed in different directions. While not revolutionary, it feels intuitive, unique, and satisfying enough to keep us wanting to march on and try new moves on different enemies.
Not surprisingly, combos and stringed attacks are also important parts of the combat system. Tekken fans should easily recognize Nina's familiar moves, such as the "divine cannon." Nina's dreaded multi-part throws and bone-crunching grabs also made it into the game and we had enormous fun executing them. (Namco also assured us that Nina's 10-string combos are present.) It's a great touch that delivers fan service.
One feature that's sure to please gamers and masochists alike is the critical strike system, where Nina goes into an acute, Matrix-like focused state. We then see an X-ray view of her enemy as massive blows are delivered in different degrees, depending on which part of their body the player targets during the slowdown. Hit the bone dead-on and... well, that's why they call them bone-breakers.
On the character development front, Nina gains skill points as she defeats enemies. These are used to buy or level up her various combos and techniques. Luckily for Nina, she is not left alone with her fists and heels to deliver punishment; weapons include handguns, machine guns, and a pair of dashing katanas. While the martial arts and bone-snapping moves may be more fun, certain weapons come into play in dealing with certain bosses.
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I like the Matrix/bonebreaker idea, it sounds cool. It still sounds like a Metal Gear rip-off though.
