The trials and tribulations of Konami continue. In the "good game, bad game" fashion Konami has been releasing N64 games comes Deadly Arts, which is certainly a "bad game." No, not even the Create-a-Fighter feature can save this game. Graphically, Deadly Arts looks simple and generic. The varied backgrounds with breakthroughs are OK, but the detail is at a minimum. The character animation, however, is nothing less than terrible. Character movement is so stiff and unrealistic that it makes the game hard to play. The only good thing about the graphics is the numerous styles for each segment of the body you can use to build your own character. It's nowhere near the level of WWF: War Zone's feature, though. Aurally, Deadly Arts fares a little better. Konami Japan's musicians obviously got a better grasp of the N64's MIDI capabilities than most development teams. But the music is merely above average rather than anything spectacular. And the sound effects can't be classified as anything more than average. Deadly Arts has a very cool concept in the Create-a-Fighter feature, but the way you have to train him or her is cumbersome and renders the mode almost useless. There's also an original Tag mode, and you can find the other usual modes, too, including Tournament. But the fighting engine tries to put too much in too few buttons, and the game just feels too sluggish overall to be enjoyable. Deadly Arts is the latest candidate for worst fighting game and just worst game overall on the N64. There is absolutely no reason to get this game, not even for the anime-style characters. Go get Fighters Destiny instead.Graphics: 2.3 out of 5 Sound: 3.2 out of 5 Control: 2.2 out of 5 Gameplay: 2.5 out of 5 Lastability: 2.3 out of 5 Overall: 2.4 out of 5
