By Jim Shea

The gods must be crazy. Somehow Def Jam-the most influential rap label of all time-associated itself with wrestling in Def Jam: Fight For NY, which for the most part is such an appealing game. Why is it that seeing Busta Rhymes and Method Man duking it out would be such a persuasive selling point for Def Jam: Fight For NY? Whatever the answer may be, the concept of famous rappers kicking the crap out of each other just like the brawlers of UFC is just too hard to ignore.

Last year’s Def Jam: Vendetta provided the goods since EA Games hired AKI to develop the game as AKI is famous for developing classic wrestling games such as WWF No Mercy and WCW/nWo Revenge. This time around though, EA Games decided to go on their own, but still kept the same style used by AKI. The only difference is that Def Jam: Fight For NY takes the fight outside the ring and puts the combatants in subway stations, bars, clubs and so on. Now that the fights are taken in various locations, you’ll get a lot more, since you can use your surrounding environment to your advantage. For example, you can whip your opponent to the crowd and pull off some sick moves like pummeling your opponent while a spectator holds them.

EA Games makes its effort in making Def Jam: Fight For NY a step above from Vendetta as Fight For NY features a robust roster. Returning from the first game are rappers such as Method Man and Redman, but now you have major stars such as Snoop Dogg, Ice-T and even Flava Flav. With an all-star lineup, there’s a lot more in the voice acting department giving gamers the entertainment they need.

Unfortunately, the controls aren’t as smooth as they’re supposed to be for Def Jam: Fight For NY. Since it’s difficult enough to get on hold on to your character, the AI-opponents will be relentless in giving you a serious ass-whupping. This game pretty much demands that you use variety with your fighter, even though the AI-controlled fighters will give you a headache. Probably all of this is due to the fact AKI didn’t develop this game, but EA Games make up for it by giving Def Jam: Fight For NY more substance than last year’s Def Jam: Vendetta.

However, the game itself is still fun despite its flaws. You can still pull off the most unbelievable, yet brutal finishing moves and the fights are more combat-based than being just plain old wrestling matches. It’s not hard to see that Def Jam: Fight For NY is a definite steep step above from Def Jam: Vendetta.

You can tell Def Jam: Fight For NY just begs for an online mode with all these intense battles going on, but it’s a shame EA Games pulled the plug on the game going online before the production was finished. Despite being “offline,” Def Jam: Fight For NY becomes a remarkably fun and exciting game when you get up to four players battling it out. You don’t necessarily have to throw a party to get the most out of Def Jam: Fight For NY.

The story mode from Def Jam: Fight For NY is jammed pack with drama and action, as now you’ll have the control in creating your own fighter with all the clothing and apparels from famous brands like Phat Farm, Sean John and Ecko. The possibilities are endless in how your character will end up as Def Jam: Fight For NY has such an extensive “Create-a-Fighter” mode.

Moving right along in the Story Mode, there are multiple ways in which your character can battle it out, such as fighting inside a subway station, beating your opponent in a steel cage, and fighting to the death in an “Inferno Match.” Keep in mind though, that there are “rewards” that come once you become victorious in your matches. Along with unlocking fighters, venues and more items for your fighter, you can also “win” sexy valets including Lil’ Kim, Carmen Electra and others to be on your side. In all, Def Jam: Fight For NY’s story mode is extremely deep and rewarding.

One last thing to know before you go out and purchase Def Jam: Fight For NY is that this game is more uncut and uncensored than last year’s game as everything falls right into place. Def Jam: Fight For NY offers a ton of variety for its players, and no one will be disappointed in what this game has to offer for hip-hop entrepreneurs.

Final Grade: A-

Def Jam (Image courtesy www.eagames.com)