Dead or Alive 5 is a fighting game centered around “disruptive triangle” — the set of different combos in which one type of an attack beats another one and forms a triangle structure, so there are no unbreakable blows. It is a part of a more extensive series developed by Team Ninja consisting of 23 titles and being the 15th game in the franchise.

Plot

There a 19 characters in the game transferring from title to title within the IP. The whole franchise follows a narrative in which some competitor fighters are participating in DOA tournament. The local committee organizes various fights in different locations around the globe.
Unlike it presumed competitor, Mortal Kombat series, Dead or Alive shows the motivation of each character to enter the contest.
The fifth installment develops a story of Ryu Hayabusa — also the protagonist of Ninja Gaiden series — along his way through the tournament. The story features military, clone, and conspiracy arks tied to the different persons.

Gameplay

Together with “disruptive triangle” game features updated tag battles — consisting of two players for both sides. The environment may be bend or even destroyed depending on the fighting process — its elements may be used to aid the battle. The stages are constantly developing themselves — if kicked into Danger Zone, the fighter can suffer severe damage while the stage is falling apart.