What was once thought of an unholy alliance of pop culture, Def Jam Vendetta has grown a cult following by sticking to the basic principle of video gaming. You see, besides the mashing of hip-hop and wrestling, Def Jam was extremely fun. Many games have neglected to keep their games entertaining in favor of the gimmick of the week, something Nintendo is particularly aware of. Electronic Arts managed to marry the redneck fascination of watching two spandex clad men grab each other, and hip-hop’s testosterone driven chest beating, and the baby that was produced was Def Jam Vendetta.
The premise of the game was truly worthy of the BET movie of the week. Playing as one of four generic street fighters players would step into the world of underground fight clubs in order to help a fellow fighter out of financial troubles. Peppered in the game were rappers who served as boss characters, and whose fighting abilities were a point of much laughter. Nothing is quite as hilarious as watching a skinny rap star pick up a 260lb. man and beat the tar out of him. Granted that is more than likely what would happen if I ever got in a fight with them, but still.
One of the best features of the original was the over-the-top violence that bordered on absurdity. This trend continues in the sequel, packing even more ways to dismember your opponents. Where as the original had just one real style, part 2 features everything from wrestling to kickboxing. Thrown in the mix this time around is the ability to use makeshift weapons that lie around the fighting area. Broken bottles, road signs, and bricks will give players new ways to draw digital blood. Ripping a page from just about every other fighting game, Def Jam 2 will also feature environmental damages. For instance, one stage shows one fighter throwing the other into a moving train. The change in scenery is a welcome change from the palette swapped rings from the first game.
The story will progress in a not-too-surprising fashion, with a page taken from Grand Theft Auto’s playbook. Players will roam around a virtual New York City in search of their next fights. How much of the city will be open for you to roam has not been revealed, but I doubt it will be as sprawling as GTA.
One particular part of the original that caused more discomfort in players than anything else will sadly make a return as well. In the original, women would attach themselves to your side, thus unlocking a Maxim style photo gallery. Eventually you would have to take control of the “lady” to fight with a different woman. This whole aspect served only to further the notion that gamers are sad little men whose chances with actual women depending on the size of their bank accounts. It seems that Carmen Electra this time around is making an appearance, so if you are one of the few people who haven’t seen her dress like a hoe, then you have something to look forward to.
The ex-Baywatch star is not the only celebrity making an appearance though. Along with the expected stable of rappers, other celebrities will have a role in Def Jam 2. From the not-too-unexpected (Danny Trejillo) to the bizarre (Omar Epps) this game will have the most star power of any video game to date. As anybody who has read anything I write knows, I personally think that the farther apart Hollywood and gaming are; the better. The first Vendetta surprised the hell out of me though, so maybe this time it’ll be different.
Along with all those changes come a few that prove that game developers can actually listen to their fans when they need to. Greatly missing from the first game was a create a wrestler mode, and EA has responded to that criticism with force. Featuring hundreds of parts, from clothes to jewelry (I will not call it bling) Vendetta 2 will have the deepest create a character this side of Tiger Woods 2004.
The difficulty level of the first is legendary, with more controllers being thrown against a wall then with any other game. I myself broke one, and frankly, no game is worth that. The problem with the difficulty was the fact the computer cheated, sometimes coming back from impossible odds to win. That’s fine when you’re watching Rocky, but in the gaming world, it’s just annoying.
With as much work as this game is getting, and EA’s penchant for creating rock solid games, Def Jam Vendetta 2 is more than likely going to be a hit. As more information is revealed keep an eye on this page. Below I’ve added a list of known celebrities and rappers that have been confirmed for this game. MD
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Confirmed
Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Redman, Flava Flav, Ice-T, Bubba Sparxxx, Ludacris, Sticky Fingaz, David Banner, Snoop Dogg, Omar Epps, Carmen Electra, Danny Trejo, Henry Rollins, Carmen Electra, L’il Kim, Scarface, Sean Paul, Jacob the Jeweler, DMX, N.O.R.E., W.C., Xzibit, Fat Joe, Erick Sermon, Freeway, Kimora Lee Simmons (wife of Russell Simmons), L’il Flip, Mac 10, Memphis Bleek, MobbDeep, Shawna, Warren G, Ghostface, Fam Lay, Elephant Man, Comp, Capone, Bone Crusher, Bless, Baby Chris.
