Overview
Deadliest Warrior: The Game is a 3D weapon-based fighting game developed and published by Pipeworks for the Xbox 360 (via Xbox Live Arcade) on July 14, 2010 and for the PlayStation 3 (via PlayStation Network) on October 5, 2010.
It's based on the Spike TV show Deadliest Warrior, where information on historical or modern weaponry are used to determine which of two warriors is the "deadliest".
The game comes with eight playable characters (generic versions of historical warriors, such as knights and samurais), each with an assortment of unlockable weapons (including a short-ranged, mid-ranged, and long-ranged weapons) and armor sets. It received a paid downloadable content pack on February 24, 2011, featuring three new characters, an updated arsenal for all characters, and new game modes (such as the replay system and survival mode).
The game received a sequel, titled Deadliest Warrior: Legends, on July 2011. Instead of generic versions of warriors, this sequel focused on specific individuals (such as Vlad the Impaler and Alexander the Great) while including new game modes and mechanics. Having a save file of this game also grants extra weapons in the sequel. A special compilation disc, titled Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat, was released on April 17, 2012 that features both games (along with new weapons, arenas, and gameplay modes) and unreleased episodes from the show.
Gameplay
Similar to the Bushido Blade franchise, the length of fights in this game can be short (due to the great damage done by most attacks) or long (due to the freedom of movement around the stage).
The control scheme uses three buttons for melee attack (high, mid, and low), one button for projectile attacks, one button for a "signature move" attack (such as a shield bash or a crouched horizontal slice), one button for switching melee weapons (between short-ranged and mid-ranged), and one button for taunting. The left control stick moves the fighter around the arena while the right control stick is used for a quick dodge maneuver. The left and right triggers are used to block.
The core melee of this game revolves around stringing combos of two-to-four melee attacks. By combining blocking and the right melee button (mimicking the opponent's attack button) at the right time causes the player to parry. Each player has a "stamina bar" along with their health bar which depletes while guarding and attacking. Attempting to attack with a depleted stamina bar causes the attack to be slow and open for counter-attack. Blocking or parrying with a depleted stamina bar causes a guard break, which leaves you open for counter-attacks.
Certain attacks, if landed on an enemy, can hinder their movement, reduce their attack and defense capabilities, or can instantly kill them. Fighters who lose an arm can still fight (similar to Time Killers, BloodStorm, and Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.), however they slowly bleed out. Each fighter also has a unique finishing move animation, similar to fatalities from the Mortal Kombat franchise. These "finishing blows" are done by doing the character's special weapon attack (a two-button combination) when the opponent is at critical health.
Game Modes
The game features a traditional arcade mode, where the player must defeat all eight warriors in succession. This is the only mode that allows you to unlock the alternate weapons and armor for each character. After the second battle, you play a minigame called "Target", where you must cut down pig carcasses from hooks. If you succeed, you unlock the alternate short-ranged weapon. The fifth battle is always a mirror match, and winning that earns you the alternate armor set. After the seventh battle, you play another minigame called "Slice", which is a short fight where each hit can result in the loss of a limb. If you succeed, you unlock the alternate mid-ranged weapon. Beating the game with that character unlocks its alternate long-ranged weapon.
After beating the game with all characters, you unlock Challenge mode, which is a set of special modes. The "Target" and "Slice" modes are selectable, as well as both a survival mode and a unique mix of survival mode and "Slice". (called "Survival Slice") After beating ten opponents in survival mode, you unlock the Fight Lab stage.
The game also features both local and online multiplayer modes, including an online asynchronous tournament mode (in similar vein to Street Fighter IV's championship mode). Both ranked and tournament matches attribute to a "battle rating" system for each gamertag similar to the Elo rating system. (most commonly used in chess)
Cheats
Deadliest Warrior: The Game also features cheat codes, which is done from the title screen, that change major gameplay mechanics in any offline game mode (and cannot be used online or to get achievements and unlockables). These include God Mode for either player (which gives them infinite life and resistance to dismemberments), Sudden Death Mode (in which both players start with critical health), Slice Mode (similar to the "Slice" and "Survival Slice" challenge modes, where each hit has a very high chance of dismemberment), and a unique Zombie Mode, where players have infinite life and can survive decapitations and most dismemberments (the only way to win is to amputate both legs). These cheats can be combined, creating unique experiences such as Zombie Slice Mode.
Characters
The eight characters included in the game are from season one of the TV show with the exception of the Roman Centurion (which is from season two). The roster is split into three categories: Champion, Guerilla, and Berserker. Champions are well-armored and have a good balance of offense and defense. Guerillas and Berserkers are unarmored and rely either on rapid attacks (Berserkers) or evasive maneuvers (Guerillas).
After online polls on Spike TV's official website to help determine which warriors might show up as downloadable content (which included the Aztec Jaguar, Zande, Rajput, Shaolin Monk, Persian Immortal, Gladiator, Maori, and the Celtic Warrior, as well as specific warriors like William Wallace, Attila the Hun, Sun Tzu, and Vlad the Impaler), they released three warriors: Shaolin Monk, Zande Warrior, and Rajput.
Warrior Type: Guerilla
Short-ranged Weapons:
- Stone War Knife
- Iron War Knife
Mid-ranged Weapons:
- Iron Blade Tomahawks
- Horse Jaw Tomahawks
Long-ranged Weapons:
- Bow (Iron Arrows)
- Bow (Poisoned Arrows)
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
Centurion
Warrior Type: Champion
Short-ranged Weapons:
Mid-ranged Weapons:
Long-ranged Weapons:
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
- Lorica Segmentata
- Lorica Hamata
Warrior Type: Champion
Short-ranged Weapons:
Mid-ranged Weapons:
Long-ranged Weapons:
- Light Crossbow
- Heavy Crossbow
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
- Maximillian Fullplate
- Coat of Plates
Warrior Type: Guerilla
Short-ranged Weapons:
Mid-ranged Weapons:
Long-ranged Weapons:
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
Warrior Type: Berserker
Short-ranged Weapons:
Mid-ranged Weapons:
Long-ranged Weapons:
- Flintlock Pistol
- Blunderbuss
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
- Leather Coat
- Privateer Jacket
Rajput (DLC)
Warrior Type: Berserker
Short-ranged Weapons:
Mid-ranged Weapons:
Long-ranged Weapons:
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
- Coat of 10,000 Nails
- Chahar-Aina
Warrior Type: Champion
Short-ranged Weapons:
Mid-ranged Weapons:
Long-ranged Weapons:
- Yumi (Hankyu)
- Yumi (Daikyu)
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
- Do-maru Armor
- Nimaido Armor
Shaolin Monk (DLC)
Warrior Type: Guerilla
Short-ranged Weapons:
Mid-ranged Weapons:
- Hook Swords
- Chicken Sickles
Long-ranged Weapons
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
Spartan
Warrior Type: Champion
Short-ranged Weapons:
Mid-ranged Weapons:
Long-ranged Weapons:
- Light Javelin
- Heavy Javelin
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
Warrior Type: Berserker
Short-ranged Weapons:
Mid-ranged Weapons:
Long-ranged Weapons:
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
Zande Warrior (DLC)
Warrior Type: Guerilla
Short-ranged Weapons:
- Makraka
- Zande Fighting Knife
Mid-ranged Weapons:
- Light Makrigga
- Heavy Makrigga
Long-ranged Weapons
Special Weapon:
Armor Types:
- Zande Battle Wear
- Ceremonial Headress
Bonus
The Xbox Live Arcade version contains two unlockable avatar awards:
- Samurai Outfit - Complete any fighter's campaign.
- Samurai Helmet - Complete all fighters' campaigns on the Deadliest difficulty.
The Xbox Live Marketplace also sells costumes (helmets, armor, and both) and shield props for avatars related to other characters from the game, including the alternate versions of the Knight and the Samurai.
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