Tamaki Arrives in DOA6

Unlike other fighting games, the Dead or Alive series has a special place in my heart. I first played DOA 3 when I was going through a tough period in life and since then I have played every incarnation aside from DOAX 3. 

The game play has a wonderful scissor, paper, stone mechanic using hits, counters and grabs that means anyone can pick it up easily, yet it is very hard to master. Personally I still can't finish one characters training mode and I am a veteran of the series. Against the AI or other players, button bashing simply will not work against a mildly skilled opponent, you have to mix things up or you become predictable and easy to defeat.

Nearly all of the DOA games have had a photo mode, long before having a photo mode was really popular in games. I like to think this is so you can capture that perfect moment, but realistically, I imagine it exists to capture that up skirt shot or Kasumi wrapping her legs around another woman's head...

Today marks the launch of Tamaki into DOA6, one of the "lewd" characters introduced into Dead or Alive Extreme 3: Fortune/ Venus / Venus Vacation/ Scarlet. Like many fighting games DOA took a small step back from the objectification of women in games, keeping their release of DOAX 3 out of many countries. To get a copy of the game in Europe or North America will cost you a fair amount on ebay. 

In Japan however, the more perverse aspects of the game are pushed to a greater extreme. Yanking at the girls swimsuits or bath towels is encouraged and the showcase of string bikinis and school girl outfits is rampant. 

I am pleased to announce that this has not arrived with Tamaki into DOA 6. 

Tamaki is a swimsuit model-turned fashion designer, who is described as very mature and charming but also has a drinking habit. Perhaps due to her "older sister-type demeanour" and "lewd aspects", she picked up the martial art of Aikido and can now throw down with the best of them.

In game she handles well and is different enough from the other fighters to warrant a purchase. As the first and only Aikido fighter in the series I was eager to give her a try. Tamaki comes with a whole host of costumes to unlock unlike a few of her DLC counterparts.

If you haven't given Dead or Alive a spin I would recommend downloading the free version with four fighters and giving it a play. The photo mode is simple and straightforward. It is accessed when viewing replays or simulating a combat between two AI opponents. You can pause time, snap some shots and try out something a little different. Me and my group of gaming buddies like to dip in and out of DOA and not a week goes by where I don't have a relaxed bout or two with my girlfriend.

Of course the in game purchases are tantalising but not required to play the game and enjoy the various modes available. 

Due to the speed that I finished this article in and the lack of popularity in the VP community for DOA6, all shots in this article were taken by me.

Feature: International Women's Day

Senua from Hellblade - by me.

International Women's Day was on Sunday the 8th of this month. I didn't do the post on that day as it was the opening of the blog and I wanted to get some of my favourite women on board to share their favourite women in gaming.

As the years have progressed we can see a great increase of strong female leads and supporting characters in games. Now in games like Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice, Assassin's Creed Odyssey and Control, we see leading ladies that stray from the media's typical portrayal of women. Gone are the thin, bombshells with tight backsides and heavy chests, less emphasis is put into the sex appeal and more into the characters personality, characteristics and the ability to do their job without being objectified. They are more than just eye candy.

Jesse Faden from Control - by me.

Like anyone who is attracted to the female form, I do appreciate its beauty and anyone who follows me will know that I enjoy games such as Dead or Alive and various mods on the Resident Evil 2 remake. Just like in real life everyone is different and I feel that is why it is important to have a mix of representations in gaming. In both the cases, Resident Evil 2 modding community and Dead or Alive, men are as objectified as the women. 

One of my favourite virtual women of all time has to be Kassandra from Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Kassandra is strong, both physically and mentally (she is half Spartan, after all), witty, smart and very resourceful. The options in the game allow you to mould her character through her responses and actions, but they all show great strength - even if some of them can be a little...abrupt!   

Kassandra from Assassin's Creed Odyssey - by me

Now I hand over to some of my most favourite women on Instagram in the VP community, to share their favourite women, why they are special to them and the shots they have taken.

Dragngirle_gaming
Commander Shepard - Mass Effect

One of my favourite female characters is Commander Shepard from the Mass Effect trilogy. Commander Shepard shows her strength in her resolve, despite having all the odds stacked against her. She faces her fears and pushes forward even with other doubts in her altogether. I often think of her when I'm facing my own problems and try to summon a little bit of that strength and courage from her. I know it sounds corny but sometimes I slip on my N7 hoodie and think to myself: "What would Commander Shepard do?" 

She truly represents the strength and courage that I hope to find in myself in times of darkness.

Wolfwithashield
Tifa Lockhart - Final Fantasy VII
Ayane - Dead or Alive

There's only two female characters in the gaming world I have ever felt connected with, the first and most important is Tifa Lockhart. To me, especially at such a young age, I related to her HARD. And if the release date was on time, it would be her picture here.

But its cool as I get to post Ayane, my second and only other female gaming character I've felt connected to. I related to her a lot and playing as her gave me strength to handle hardship. Even if I lost with her, things felt okay.

We're all important and we all have our stories. I'm very thankful to be accepted in this community. We're all amazing at supporting each other and that's not something I'm used to. So a deep thank you to all you wonderful ladies (and dudes, but come on it ain't happy dude day 😂) thank you for making me feel like its okay to be me.

And to all those who have always been fighting for whatever reason, well done and keep going, we've got this!

Dragon78

Sadie Adler - Red Dead Redemption 2

I have chosen Sadie Adler as my female gaming inspiration. There are so many wonderful female characters to choose from in video games today, so this was not and easy choice. I think what speaks most to me about Sadie is her strength. She has been through such and emotionally traumatic event with the take over of her and her loving husbands ranch. She had had to witness the death of her husband and 3 days of being held captive by the O’drisscol gang. One can only imagine all of the horrors she must of went through in those days.

Although it’s not confirmed, I’m sure she was most likely sexually and physically abused. As the story progresses and her character develops, you really get to see a sense of how strong she really is. Her progression form an emotional wreck at the beginning of the game, to the strong and independent women she is by the end is an interesting journey to follow. Her willingness to not be a victim and her fire for revenge moves her forward in her character development. I love how she does not sit by like the other women, she fights along side the men. This is a powerful trait especially during the time period in which this game is set. Most women had no rights and were expected to just do as they were told and obey. Sadie follows no rules and listens to no man. She is an equal and expects to be treated as one. For these reasons I choose Sadie Adler as my female video game character.

Baddest Female
Hekate - Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Hekate is known as a Goddess associated with ghost and magic. In my opinion she's a strong woman: Never getting walked on by anyone, always showing a glacial facial expression. She's been one of my favourites since I played Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Even if people know her as a betrayer (a baddest bitch, but lets stay polite). I really love that she is a perfect example of a strong woman. Simply put, she is the baddest female, like me!

Stellarosityvp
Aloy - Horizon Zero Dawn

My favourite woman in gaming has to be Aloy. Throughout the whole story of Horizon Zero Dawn, you see her strengths and weaknesses, her wit and kindness. It's amazing to see her grow and persevere through the tough times that she goes through, she always comes ahead strong. Shes someone I absolutely love to look up to.


A huge thank you to all five of the women that contributed to this article.  To them and to all of the women out there, a belated happy International Women's Day to you all!