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Why Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 is Harmless

Why Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 is Harmless

There was a major game release in Asia recently, a title that won’t be released overseas. That usually isn’t cause for much attention – a lot of games remain in that region. But this one, Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 , is notable because of the exclusion. Previous entries were localized, but this one wasn’t. Some were upset about this, others not so much. It’s region-free and in English though, which means attention is being paid. But, people should also make a note, because it isn’t as bad as many would think or expect it to be.

Now that Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 has been released, we can see exactly what it is. It isn’t insulting, especially not purposely. It doesn’t damage people who play it. And of course it doesn’t hurt anybody. This scantily clad, vacation simulator is silly and unrealistic. People can’t fault it for that.

I’m a woman and have, on occasion, gone on vacations that send me to tropical locations. I may have played volleyball or engaged in stupid games by the ocean or pool while in a swimsuit. Maybe even a two-piece! But, I’m sorry to say, I’ve never climbed a cliff in a swimsuit or pole danced for my friends before. I’m sorry to dash your dreams. Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 basically presents an over-the-top vacation with unrealistic physics, and we shouldn’t get too upset about that or fault people who want to enjoy frivolous adventures.

Especially since there are fanservice games out there that are a lot more insulting and demeaning. The Dream Club games are one. You go every day to a hostess bar to spend time with women whose only goal is to get you to spend your money. You shove bananas and ice cream in their faces, because it seems suggestive. One heroine’s storyline essentially leads the player character on before she ditches him. There’s also Gal*Gun , a game where women wearing little clothing all throw themselves at one man, and he fends them off with a gun that gives them “pleasure.”

Why Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 is Harmless

These are games that can be legitimately insulting and demeaning to women. They’re the sorts of titles that people should get upset about, if they want to look for games to be mad at. Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 isn’t game of the year material, but it’s more silly and innocuous than anything else. Are some of the people who play it going to be creepy? Sure. But some who play it won’t be.

Basically, Dead or Alive Xtreme 3 isn’t all that bad. Now that it’s been released, we can see it for what it is. The game is escapism, pure and simple. The original Dead or Alive series has always been about fanservice, sometimes even turning the men into eye candy with skimpy bathing suits too. Sending the heroines off to the beach again for some minigames, relationship building, and fanservice isn’t the worst thing. There are more valid things to be about upset about than this.

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