One of New York's most legendary labels finds the perfect interactive outlet in 3D brawler Def Jam: ICON, a Mortal Kombat for hip-hop heads everywhere. Pitting two dozen chart-topping emcees including Ludacris and Ghostface Killah and non-Def Jam artists like T.I. and the Game mano a mano, the multiplayer-ready fight game offers rap aficionados a chance to settle beefs with more than just diss tracks. If only Jay-Z and Lil' Wayne would have licensed themselves.
No standard fighting game conventions -- such as health bars or special move meters -- detract from the excitement as you pound opponents using punches, kicks, throws and dazzling one-two combos. It helps to know the lyrics to featured hits like "One Blood" and "What You Know." Nonetheless, the action remains sound enough that even those who can't tell Redman from Method Man will still be singing its praises. Characters' extensive arsenal of techniques further benefits from your ability to slam adversaries into environmental hazards including exploding gas tanks and tumbling television cameras on command. What's more, while warring on rooftops, inner-city streets or even popular TV show 106 & Park's set, backgrounds literally bounce to the soundtrack's speaker-rattling rhythms, with extra damage and pyrotechnics awarded for busting heads to the beat. Whether enjoying featured selections or your own custom tunes (support for user-added MP3s is built right in), joysticks can additionally be used like a DJ's turntables to switch songs mid-match, thereby tipping the odds in your favor. Gorgeous, hard-hitting and sure to inspire several open-mike nights' worth of trash talk, gamers of all backgrounds will enjoy Def Jam: ICON. There's no better way to rack up the platinum "hits."
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