G4TV

What started out seeming like a ridiculously self-serving idea (professional rappers wrestling?) has somehow grown into a great fighting game franchise. Def Jam has always mixed solid play mechanics, gorgeous graphics, and kickin’ tunes to create one hell of an experience on any console it graced.

And its next-gen debut just pushes the presentation bar that much higher. It’s shame EA decided to add style at the cost of substance, though…

Bling Bling

But let’s concentrate on the presentation for now. The idea behind the synergy of music and gameplay in Def Jam Icon can only be described as inspired. Sure, the culture behind the music has always influenced the game’s look and feel; from level design to the bling and threads you could drape over your thuggish pugilist.

Icon takes it a step further, though. Now the levels actually react to the music. Each and every arena is literally alive with the beat. Various bits are triggered to the timing of the music playing. So if you push your opponent into a particular area just as there’s a heavy down-beat, say, a helicopter will swing it’s tail through the level and hit him for extra damage.

It doesn’t hurt that the game’s graphics are so damn great, either. After this and NBA Homecourt, it’s safe to say that EA has this next-gen visuals thing completely figured out.

Ol’ Dirty Bastard

It needs to be noted that EA has lifted the moratorium on extremely explicit lyrics and dialogue, which is something the series has needed badly since its inception. It makes way more sense to hear Lil’ Jon dropping f-bombs and racial epithets than trying to sound tough while spouting dialogue that sounds like it was written by some censor’s soccer mom.

As such, the game is definitely not for children. But those who dig the rap culture will really appreciate the whole new level of authenticity it brings. Plus the rappers involved in the game did a great job of delivering their lines. Even if you can’t understand some of them sometimes.

The Sweet Science?

But all is not well with Def Jam’s first next-gen excursion. Lost in all these fantastic production values is the actual game play. Rather than the superb wrestling setup and special moves found in previous versions. It’s been replaced by a very simplistic, four-button fighting game where combos and special moves are very few and far between.

In fact, the whole thing is built on grabbing and throwing your opponent; herding them into the proper spots on each level so that the environment can dish out even more damage. And the whole thing moves slower than molasses. It’s hard to get too worked up during a fight, since they really aren’t that exciting once you’ve learned the specific effects of each new level.

And the story mode is only decent. Who knew that signing rappers and promoting records had so much to do with beating the living sh*t out of other rappers or obsessed fans? It’s funny in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way, but really doesn’t add much to the overall experience.

Fight Night in tha ’Hood

In other words, Def Jam Icon is one of the most impressive showpieces you can buy for your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 right now. As for how it plays? Think of Fight Night “Lite” With Rappers. Icon is serviceable, but it’s not something you’ll be spinning in your disc tray for very long.

Article by: Greg Sewart
Video produced by: Matt Keil