By Mark Rodriguez
So when Dead Or Alive 6 Last Round was first announced, Mai Shiranui and Kula Diamond were noticeably absent. This raised a lot of questions regarding how this will work for those that already purchased these SNK cameo characters in the original game. Well, Dead or Alive 6 Last Round just announced that Mai and Kula are back in! As DLC! That you must buy again!
So when I saw their trailer, I noticed the lack of the word 'free' anywhere during this DLC announcement. Despite being in the original game, Mai and Kula won't be in the standard game and will be separate as DLC. Checking the official DOA6LR ' website I found the following phrases-
'Character licenses for Mai Shiranui and Kula Diamond are not included in DEAD OR ALIVE 6 Last Round Standard version. Character Unlock Keys must be purchased to use them.'
'Character licenses, costumes for Mai Shiranui and Kula Diamond cannot be carried over from DEAD OR ALIVE 6.'
So yes, you'll have to re-purchase Mai and Kula. We'll have to see how that's gonna go over with the fanbase. The original game already got some flack since people had to re-buy Phase 4, Nyotengu, Rachel and Momiji after already buying them for Dead or Alive 5. Now they're doing it again. I realize that this is tied to paying the SNK license, but people are still going to complain. At the very least they could have sweetened the deal by throwing in one or two more characters in there. Perhaps Vanessa and Angel?
All the extra costumes for Mai and Kula will be available for them as well but are all re-used assets from the first time around. They could have hinted at more costumes to come, or at the very least shown off Mai in her newer City of the Wolves outfit.
Another new feature showcased in the trailer is the new Oboro lighting system. The website describes this as 'the “OBORO” system offer realistic lighting created by natural environmental lighting and shading.' Currently the 'Lost Eden' stage (the one with the dinosaurs) is the only stage to showcase this new lighting, but they will announce other stages later on. It also says it's a free update. It better be free. Imagine paying for better lighting.
While it's good to see Mai and Kula back in the game, the fact that you have to buy them again will leave a lot of people with a bad taste in their mouths. So far the game hasn't really shown anything actually new, just promises of more to come. I mean, the fact that the older DLC characters are all back in for free should not be considered a new feature. Mai and Kula shouldn't have to be re-purchased. The Oboro lighting shouldn't be a big deal since you would expect updated graphics for a PS5 remaster anyway.
We're a few months away from June. There's still time to introduce a new character and splash 'DOA6 Last Round EXCLUSIVE Character!!!' all over the place. It's almost as if Team Ninja forgets original DOA6 owners can just re-download the game onto their PS5. I mean, technically speaking, I've already been playing DOA6LR for the last couple of months. The only thing I'm missing are the new costumes some of the girls are getting.
You know, back when King of Fighters 12 came out, one of the MANY complaints (other than it being pretty much an unfinished beta) was Mai not being on the roster. The phrase 'No Mai, No Buy!' became a thing. I think now it's gonna be 'Yes Mai, but Re-Buy!'
I really do hope something like a new character or stage will be introduced between now and June. As of now, especially for original DOA6 owners, this is a real tough sell... and having to buy Mai and Kula again makes the decision tougher. Both DOA5 Ultimate and DOA5 Last Round led off by featuring new characters. This one is so far just promising new characters. Promises. Let's at least see some design sketches or something.
There doesn't seem to be any indication that the game will cost any cheaper for previous owners. I feel this is being presented as a whole new game, rather than an upgrade. Again, other than a new costume here and there, I technically already own this game. Personally I'm going to hold off until an actual new character is announced.
The last thing the trailer showed, for those interested in pre-order digital bonus DLC, is another new costume for Marie Rose.





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