Tecmo's flagship fighting series continues with the console-exclusive release of Dead or Alive 4. Once again, players can select from a number of characters skilled in various combat styles, from Ryu Hayabusa's custom Ninjutsu techniques learned from his years as a ninja, to teenager Hitomi's mastery of karate. No matter which character is selected, he or she can perform a number of quick-strike attacks, guards, holds, combos, and throws to keep foes off balance. The environments in Dead or Alive 4 play as important a role in the fighting as the characters themselves, with players able to use scenery objects, such as trees, to pin opponents, or in some cases, smash through barriers to continue battling in completely new areas.