The Dead or Alive franchise marks three decades this year by reissuing its 2019 fighting title as Dead or Alive 6: Last Round, but the celebration has quickly turned contentious. Intended to be the definitive version of the game, Last Round bundles a photo mode and a vast collection of content, with the catalog reaching roughly 440 individual DLC items.
A Flood of Negative Reactions
The launch has been met with a wave of criticism from the community, pushing Steam user reviews to a heavily negative 78 percent. Core grievances center on the decision to deliver the content as a separate re-release rather than a patch for the existing game, combined with the sheer volume of paid add-ons. According to pricing aggregator IsThereAnyDeal, the full set of DLC items carries a combined cost of approximately $1,707.60, a figure that excludes the price of the base game itself.
Gameplay Kept Intact, but Technical Gaps Remain
Beyond the revamped content packaging, Last Round remains functionally identical to the original Dead or Alive 6 in terms of core mechanics and performance. The fighting engine stays tight and responsive, yet the re-release notably overlooks modern technical expectations: rollback netcode has not been implemented, and the title still lacks cross-platform multiplayer capability.
Content Additions and Missing Guests
Koei Tecmo plans to support Last Round with further updates and additional DLC following launch, though notable limitations are already in place. The original Dead or Alive 6 has been removed from digital storefronts, meaning newcomers must purchase the new edition to gain access. Meanwhile, existing owners of the 2019 version do not appear to have a clear, broad path toward a free or discounted upgrade. The roster features previously released DLC fighters such as Nyotengu, Phase 4, Momiji, Rachel, and Tamaki, accompanied by new costumes, hundreds of cosmetic items, and paid season passes. However, the guest characters Mai Shiranui and Kula Diamond are not included in the Last Round lineup, creating an immediate sticking point for players concerned about the future of crossover fighters.
A Monetization Model Under Scrutiny
Pricing adjustments within the storefront have further strained goodwill. Individual DLC characters that were once available for $4 now carry a price tag of $8 each. For many observers, the core combat experience remains a polished, compelling product, yet the aggressive monetization strategy has overshadowed the package’s launch.
A Free Entry Point with Tight Limits
A free-to-play version titled Core Fighters offers an alternative on-ramp, though it restricts users to a very limited roster of playable characters. For those seeking the complete Last Round experience, the combination of a paid base game, separately sold fighters, cosmetics, and recurring DLC costs can add up to a substantial and ongoing investment that puts the total far above a standard full-price title.
Sources: isthereanydeal.com, steamdb.info