Dead Or Alive 6 Season 1 DLC overview

By Mark Rodriguez

So with the release of Mai Shiranui and Kula Diamond from King of Fighters, we wrap up the first season of Dead or Alive 6 dlc. The season's pass originally cost over 90 bucks to pre-pay for all of it at once and then wait for the items to be released.  Price notwithstanding, it seems we're all glad we waited.

Happy Wedding costumes- So the first set was... wedding costumes. I mean it's a new idea to the series, so ok? I guess whoever wanted to marry Kasumi can get their wish. The set was released in two parts, Volume 1 covered half the cast while Volume 2 took care of the rest. Though it's kinda funny (though disturbing considering his backstory) to see Raidou in a suit... I'm gonna have to pass on these.

Right off the bat, Volume 1 of the wedding outfits showed us the first problem that would continue with the others. You could only buy the outfits in a pack, not separately, at 20 bucks each. So you end up spending money on the characters you don't care about. I can't speak for those playing on the XBox One or Steam... but PS4 players are stuck buying full packs.

Pirates of the Seven Seas- Also sold in 2 separate volumes until everybody gets one, the gang dress up as pirates, which is perfect for that ship stage they have. It's another new idea and I love these outfits way more than the wedding ones. Unfortunately, PS4 players will have to buy the complete sets for 20 bucks each or nothing at all.

Deluxe Costume Set- For people that bought the Deluxe Digital version of DOA6 when it came out, it came with an extra costume for all the characters as well as Nyotengu and Phase 4.  They were only available by buying the Pre-order, but now they were released, as one big set for about 35 bucks. The outfits are cool, though since they were around since day 1 and I faced many opponents using them, it felt more like 'it's about time's than something to really be impressed about.

King of Fighters Collaboration- Mai Shiranui returns for her second stint in the DOA series and her mystery buddy turned out to be Kula Diamond. Mai brings the fire while Kula brings the ice. These two came with several options. You can either buy Mai or Kula separately for about 8 bucks a piece. You can buy them with their introductory costumes, which are the Happy Wedding, Pirate of the Seven Seas, Bunny, Nurse and Maid costumes for about 15 bucks each. You can just buy the costume sets for 10 bucks. You can buy each individual costume for 3 bucks each. Or you can get the whole thing, Mai, Kula and their costumes for 30 bucks.

Mai is a lot of fun to use and easy to get into. She can still toss her Kacho Sen and do some of her moves with the same joystick motions as the SNK games, but I assume she played similarly in DOA5 Last Round. Kula was tougher for me to get into but she also has her freeze attack that lets you land a few extra hits but it last for microseconds so you can't abuse it.

Both guest stars also get an extra chapter in the DOA Story, though like the story mode itself, it's not much to make a big deal about but still cool. Basically Mai challenges Kasumi to a fight and NiCo somehow summons Kula to 'their world' even though Mai seems to co-exist just fine and even recognizes the Mugen Teshin Style. I also like how almost everyone gets new dialogue that acknowledge Mai and Kula as guest stars.

Overall thoughts- 

So almost 100 bucks basically got you wedding costumes, pirate costumes, pre-order costumes, Mai, Kula and their outfits. Not really sure that was worth paying all that money for. Personally the only DLC I bought, besides purchasing Phase 4, was buying Mai and Kula separately and their Pirate Costumes. If they ever release the costumes as separate choices for everyone I'd get the Pirate Costumes for some of my favorite fighters.

The complaints against DOA6 continue regardless, mostly on how lacking the game felt to DOA5, especially the still not-addresed lack of tag team mode. The lobbies were put in but many feel they were too little too late and not as active as they would have been if they were available since Day 1.

I did notice a few updates other than lobbies and new win poses (which should never have been DLC to begin with). The sidestep attack now consumes the life bar so it keeps people from spamming it. The DOA Museum stage, which is broken up into multiple stage exhibits that are callbacks to all the games in the series, gets an update. It now keeps the action in whatever stage exhibit you ended up on when the fight ends. Before this change, Round 2 would set the characters back at the starting point instead of the stage exhibit the last match ended on. This gives you more of a chance to admire the details of all the stage exhibits.

So now we wait for Season 2 and there are some concerns. It seems people are loving Mai and Kula but others feel they were rushed out too quickly. Maybe they should have released Mai first and keep up the suspense of her mystery partner for July. With the constant complaints regarding DOA 6 and how you're forced to buy the costumes in packs, coupled with Mai and Kula being rushed out the door, many wonder if there even will be a Season 2 or if Team Ninja will cut their losses.

The main concern with Seasons is how definitive and limiting they are.  DOA5 never had set Seasons and would basically just release DLC because it was sunny that day. They had crossover costumes with King of Fighters and Attack on Titan and so many different designs for all sorts of schoolgirl costumes, as well as new stages too. Fans wonder if Season 2 will also be just another 3 sets of costumes and 2 more characters. Based on what Mai and Kula brought to the table, the next set might be maid, bunny and nurse outfits, though I assume the guys will be dressed as doctors, butlers and whatever the make version of bunnies are. We'll probably get Season 2 and/or 3 before Team Ninja moves on to either Ultimate DOA6 or lay low and come back with DOA7.

I've been enjoying the game so far but even I can't ignore how the excitement has died down due to its own shortcomings coupled with newer fighting games getting more attention. People jokingly call it Dead On Arrival 6. So far Mai and Kula have re-lit the spark and brought back the fans but how long will it last?