Def Jam Vendetta (PS2)

.co.uk Review

Touting itself as "too gangster for the Garden" (in the words of its kingpin D-Mob), Def Jam Vendetta takes you on a head-slamming, gut-busting tour of the underground hip-hop fightclub circuit. No blow is too low in this testosterone-spiked world featuring the music and likenesses of Def Jam artists such as Ghostface Killah, Redman and Ludacris--not to mention a whole host of the nastiest, most lowdown fictional thugs you'd imagine the hardcore rap world has to offer. Everyone's lying in wait to see if you're for real or just another wannabe player.

Def Jam Vendetta offers three game modes: Battle, where it's just you against up to three takers, Survival, in which you fight all comers until you lose and--where the real meat of the game takes place--Story, in which you fight as one of four brawlers. The journey begins at the Face Club where you step in for your injured pal Manny. From there you move on to other venues such as DMX's Junkyard and Ludacris's Club Luda and climb the ranks to the ultimate showdown with D-Mob. The route there isn't a cakewalk, but the more battles you win, the more money you make to upgrade your fighting attributes. Victories also bring the ladies calling. They literally fight for your attention--win a fight by playing as the newest girl to approach you and you'll unlock pictures of her in your photo gallery.

Action inside the ring is gritty and furious as you can lay down a multitude of moves and combinations with names like Hurtin' Unit, Spittin' Teef, Ghetto Thuggin', and Death Row Delivery, to name just a few. Momentum is key in building toward Blazin' Mode, in which you can utilise your signature move for the sure KO. In the meantime, though, there's still plenty of fun to be had in decking your nents and watching them moan and writhe about in pain. --Larry White

Review

"A decent wrestler in Phat Farm clothing." -- Official PlayStation 2 Magazine

"A very entertaining and technically sound chunk of wrestling action." -- PSM2 Magazine

• Underground street-fighting game.
• Over 45 characters, including 12 Def Jam artists.
• Over 10 highly detailed worlds, built straight from the mean streets.
• Continuous play with over 1,500 unique moves and a variety of fighting techniques.
• Dozens of signature special moves and player taunts referenced directly from each Def Jam artist.
• One original intro/victory sequence per Def Jam artist.
• Unique momentum and system.
• New hit songs from Def Jam Records.
• Three game modes, four match types.