The Deadliest Warrior: The Game Review 1

If you are one of the vast group of gamers who look at fighting games like Marvel vs. Capcom or Street Fighter x Tekken the same way a third-grader looks at a quantum physics thesis, and happen to own a PS3, then some good news has arrived. Deadliest Warrior: The Game has come to PSN. The title, produced by Spike Games, is a fighting incarnation of the smash hit (no pun intended) airing on Spike TV. The show uses modern technology coupled with experts in ancient weaponry and fighting tactics to determine who would emerge victorious in a head-to-head battle between some of history's most legendary warriors. The show may not be suggested viewing for those who get squeamish at the sight of blood -- or deceased pigs.

The downloadable title first launched for Xbox 360 in July, and since then has sold more than 225,000 copies. Until now PS3 owners have been left out in the cold, unable to enjoy the decapitations and dismemberments that the game has to offer. the wait is now over, and for the low price of $9.99, this hack-and-slash fighter can be yours today.

If you haven't already heard about the game, you should check out our review, since we really dug the game's dedication to a fun experience. For a young studio, the game was a far greater surprise than any had expected, and Spike Games Studio Head Dan Yang voiced how much the team is looking forward to inviting PlayStation owners into the experience:

“With the game exceeding our expectations on every level and having been a consistent top-selling title on Xbox LIVE Arcade since launch, we’re thrilled to give PlayStation 3 fans the same experience that has resonated with both enthusiast and casual gamers alike,”

The game will not only be made available to PSN, but a batch of DLC is set to be released in early 2011 that will add 3 new fighters to the existing 8, and introduce a new survival-styled game mode. Apparently, new forms of online play that seem to involve a system of ranking are also in the works, an aspect of the original game that was sorely lacking. One of the new fighters is the Rajput Warrior, selected by the fans no doubt in part due to the savagely brutal weaponry the fighter put on display in the second season of the show.

The plan is obviously to take what works in the game, and build on it. There's no need to reinvent the wheel, and Yang makes their plan clear:

"We’re looking forward to expanding the game’s fan base and giving even more gamers an engaging and fun title that has high replayability while being true to the franchise.”

I already have my copy of Deadliest Warrior downloaded, and it is still one of my go-to titles whenever friends are over. Sophisticated fighters are gaming achievements in themselves, but my eyes start aching after only a few seconds of some Capcom videos. There's no shame in admitting that sometimes a brutal, Mortal Kombat-reminiscent fighter is just what the doctor ordered. Given the wide variety of titles on both Xbox Live and PSN, a multiplayer game based on an existing property that is even remotely good is nothing to scoff at when priced at $10. The game is some of the most fun I've had with social games in a while, so if a Move set-up is something you're still not sold on, then maybe putting a spear through your friend's head will tide you over.

Deadliest Warrior: The Game is available for download now on both PS3 and Xbox 360.