EA Game’s DEF JAM: Vendetta introduced players to the world of battling hip-hop artists trying a new, more violent way of topping the charts. The sequel, DEF JAM: FIGHT FOR NEW YORK for the PS2 follows the same formula but includes more rappers, more fighting styles, and a deeper story mode. The story of Fight for New York brings over 40 real-life hip-hop and rap stars such as Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes to NYC to battle for control of the city’s cultural underground. Each character has his or her own unique moves based on kickboxing, street fighting, martial arts, and wrestling. Each fighter can chain their moves together differently since each can have moves from up to three different fighting styles. In addition to the huge variety of attacks, each arena has some interactive elements, like objects to pick up or walls to slam opponents into. The story mode of Fight for New York picks up where the previous one left off: mobster D-Mobb is being arrested. Players then create their own mobster, rescue D-Mobb, and begin working their way to the top spot in the underground fighting world. Aside from the standard fights, players can also explore their apartment, buy clothing, get tattoos, and purchase other accessories. The clothing isn’t just for looks, either; it factors into character’s charisma rating. Mature players who enjoy action and fighting games and like rap music will find DEF JAM: FIGHT FOR NEW YORK a fun, entertaining, and unique fighting game.
