Deadliest Warrior The Game is based off of Deadliest Warrior the TV show on Spike TV (formerly TNN). If you don't know what the show is all about, I'll give a breif explanation. They take 2 warriors from 2 different parts of history, test the effectiveness of their weapons and armor (in ways that are getting less and less scientific and more and more about showmanship, at least on camera), and they use that data to decide which warrior would win in a fight. They test long, medium, and short range weapons as well as a special weapon (like the knights crossbow (long), halberd (medium), longsword (close), and flail (special)). They have a mock fight at the end, generally showing the warriors using each weapon they tested, and after the fight they show the statistics and post fight comments. The main appeal is the weapons testing, the fight, and arguing why they were wrong (like when they said Atilla the Hun would beat Alexander the Great despite Alexander beating several steppe armies that were just like the Huns).

The game takes that concept as its base and turns it into a fighting game. Going in, I wasn't expecting much from the $10 game. I was expecting a simplistic fighting game with little depth, and that is what I got. What I wasn't expecting, was it to be as fun as it is.

You only get 8 warriors (Centurion, Apache, Spartan, Knight, Samurai, Pirate, Viking, Ninja). Each warrior has a long range projectile, as well as a mid and close range melee weapon. There are 2 options for each, as well as 2 armor sets for each. In total, 8 items you can mix and match per warrior. The weapons have the same attacks, so (for example) the knight's poleaxe will behave just the same as the halberd.

The modes are rather limited, you just get arcade, vs, and a few challenges. Arcade mode is just what it sounds like. You pick a dude and face off against everyone else. The challenges include your standard survival mode, a mode were limbs go flying with each attack and a survival mode with the same nonsense, and 1 where you run around cutting pig carcasses down. They all lack depth and replayability outside trying to beat your high score. The pig one in particular feels bland.

Finally we get to the fighting mechanics. You can free run in any direction if you want to run away like a coward or dodge. There are 3 melee attack buttons (low medium and high) and a button to use your projectile attack (which you have limited shots). The shoulder buttons guard, change between mid and close range weapons, and do a signature attack. Along with the basic combos, you get a special attack that is activated by holding 2 buttons, an attack the is unblockable and activates a finisher if you hit your opponent who is low on health.

The combos are short, usually 3 or 4 hits at most depending on your warrior class. Warriors are split between champions (the slower and heavier troops with good offense and defense like the Spartan), beserkers (quick offensive minded fellows like the viking), and guerillas (light troops who are fast moving and have no armor, like the ninja). Shields are very helpful, since you can block projectiles, but not having 1 doesn't mean you can't block (you just take more damage, but you can parry).

The most annoying part is that the health bars empty very quickly. The less armored fellows go down especially quick (3 or 4 hits), and the heavy ones don't last much longer. It is possible to be 1-shotted, but requires you get shot in the face by a lucky projectile attack (while not overly common, it does happen a decent amount). Matches can last anywhere between 5 and 50 seconds, depending on teh amount of guarding and dodging involved (2 heavies with shields is usually the longest fight). Arms and legs can be crippled during the fight, or even severed (heads can be taken off as well, but not crippled). You can lose your arm and not die instantly, but you will lose health fairly quickly (it is possible to win with 1 arm). When your arm is crippled, you can't use mid range or projectile weapons. With a crippled leg, you can't move very well. Certain attacks also cannot be used when your arm or leg is crippled.

While the health bit is annoying, it can be quite fun still. It is best played with a local friend instead of online. Fans of the show will enjoy it, as long as you don't expect too much from it. Go in expecting nothing special, and you will be staisfied. Go in expected something as deep as Soul Calibur, and you will be very disappointed.

It gets a DR.

SCORING CHART:
MH- Must Have, get it ASAP
SG- Should Get, worth picking up after it gets cheaper
WR- Worth Renting, rent it instead of buying it
DR- Demo Recommended, try the demo before deciding since it isn't for everyone
SA- Stay Away, come near this game at your own risk.
OPGN- Oh Please God No, Avoid at all costs.