Dead or Alive Paradise

In form at least, Paradise is relatively easy to comprehend. It's a collection of minigames starring the voluptuous cast of the long-standing fighting series Dead or Alive . Presented as a surreal tropical vacation as envisioned by the overactive mind of a teenage boy, it lets players dabble with casino games, beach sports and various acts of simulated socialising. What Dead or Alive Paradise actually represents within gaming's canon, however, is a little harder to understand. Is it a witty parody of the portrayal of women in games or the worst form of sexist drivel that keeps the medium stuck in its boy-bedroom ghetto? Perhaps it is both (or perhaps it just depends on whether you're a teenager or not). The gameplay is certainly solid, but the focus on encouraging players to take virtual photos of objectified semi-nudes is questionable. If nothing else, Paradise is asking the questions, whether consciously or not, which is more than many generic titles.