Def Jam Vendetta II

Ask any wrestling/video game fan out there what their favourite game is, and the name that usually pops up is the old Nintendo 64 game WWF: No Mercy. That game was so easy to control, and it had so many options, that it still remains my personal favourite wrestling game after all these years. The Japanese developer of WWF: No Mercy Ц Aki -- no longer does the WWF (or WWE) games, but they were still able to team up with EA to make the solid wrestling title Def Jam Vendetta. The first Def Jam wrestling game wasn't perfect, but mixing the dangerous world of hip-hop and the crazy life style of pro wrestling just clicked, and the game was a huge hit. The deadly tag team of EA and Aki are ready to do it again in the sequel: Def Jam Vendetta II. Let's take a look what could be one of the hottest wrestling games to be released in a while.

So what was wrong with the first game? As good as the original Def Jam Vendetta was, it did feel a little rushed. Even though it was a wrestling game, it had no Create a Wrestler feature, it had no in-game weapons, and the story line was good but it still cannot compare to what we have seen in some of these recent WWE games. EA and Aki are making sure nothing gets over looked this time, and the second title should have a lot more meat on the bones.

For starters DJV II's story is going to have more branching paths, so the game is going to be less linear now. If you don't know the story, the first game ended with the defeat and arrest of wrestling kingpin D-Mob. In his absence a new leader by the name of Crow (played by none other then rap artist/actor Snoop Dogg) became the big boss of the underground wrestling circuit, and there are even less wrestling rules then ever before. Now D-Mob is looking to get his top spot back but he is going need some back up, and that's where you come in. Can you really trust a guy like D-Mob and can you really defeat Crow on the path to become the man?

Your fight to become top dog in the Def Jam world won't be an easy one. Not only do you have to battle several big music names like Slick Rick, DMX, Ice-T, Method Man, Ludacris, and many others -- but you also have to fight tons of original characters as well. There are already over 70 fighters confirmed for the game. If that wasn't enough, DJV II also comes with more gritty street locations where anything goes, so you're not always fighting in a traditional ring all the time. The game isn't all about brawling and wrestling though. Like in the first title, you can earn the respect of the local ladies like Lil' Kim, and Carmen Electra on your way to glory. The game will also come with ways to unlock new moves, clothes, and speciality items that can be used in the new and much needed Create-a-Wrestler option.