In June 2018, Koei Tecmo dropped the reveal trailer for Dead or Alive 6 at E3. This surprised just about everyone, since no one thought there would be another installment of the fighting game after the release of Dead or Alive 5 back in 2012. DOA6 is expected to be released in early 2019 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
New Engine & Improved Visuals
DOA6 runs on a new engine, giving us graphics that are more detailed with improved lighting with 4K support. The game looks gorgeous and the character models look better than they did in DOA5. Fighters will get dirty, sweat and have visible wounds during a match and they’ll actually make facial expressions when they get hit. It’s the most realistic the franchise has ever looked, which only heightens the over-the-top campiness DOA is known for.
The trailer makes a clear effort to tone down the sexualization that once defined the franchise’s public image. Female fighters have more natural looking body types and their outfits are a little more conservative. While the exaggerated jiggle physics isn’t completely gone, it doesn’t seem to be the main focus of the game.
New Combat Mechanics & Stages
Gameplay-wise, DOA6 keeps its signature triangle system: strikes beat throws, throws beat holds, and holds beat strikes. But it layers on two major new mechanics designed to shake things up:
- Fatal Rush: A new combo system that allows players to execute flashy multi-hit combos with simple commands. This is supposed to make the game more accessible to new players.
- Break Gauge: A special attack meter that fills as players fight, enabling powerful moves like Break Blow (an offensive attack that parries strikes) and Break Hold (a defensive move countering most attack types).
- New Stages: Two new stages are introduced in DOA6: The Throwdown, a rundown yard behind an alleyway in New York, and the main stage, the DOA Colosseum.
The Return of Some Old Faces
The reveal trailer also confirmed the return of core characters like Kasumi, Hayate, Hayabusa, Helena, Jann Lee, and Zack. Each character has new animations that take advantage of the upgraded engine.
While the full roster wasn’t revealed at E3 2018, Koei Tecmo teased a mix of familiar faces and brand-new fighters, promising a diverse lineup that caters to both diehard fans and total newcomers.
Can DOA Evolve Without Losing Itself?
The most interesting part of DOA6 is the tension between its two identities: the polished, modern fighting game it wants to be, and the unapologetically ridiculous brawler it’s always been.
I’ve been a fan of the DOA fighting series ever since I was a kid. My Mom used to have a large gaming community and used to receive things from game developers all the time back in the day. Someone sent her the original Xbox, which came with Dead or Alive 3. My younger brother and I were fascinated by the fact that the fighters could actually move around the stage freely (which other fighting games didn’t allow) and that you could actually knock your opponents out of windows and balconies.
I view the changes Koei Tecmo is making as positive ones, and I’m curious about this new direction DOA is heading. The series doesn’t have to become Tekken or Street Fighter. It just has to take itself seriously enough that others do too.
📌 Changelog
- July 3, 2025: Rewrote the article to additional information about the new features added to Dead or Alive 6.
- June 9, 2018: Date original article was posted.
