Many fans of Namco’s “Tekken” series may have easily missed this game thanks to it being a spin-off based within the main fighting game franchise. However, ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves to experience a game wholly focused on Namco’s cold-blooded Irish female assassin Nina Williams herself.

Followers of the franchise will recognize Nina as one of the most iconic characters within the fighting games—being the only female character to appear in every installment of the series since the very beginning with “Tekken.” Unlike the main games of the series however, Nina is the sole playable character of “Death by Degrees” and naturally, her fighting stance and style within the main games remains intact for this adventurous spin-off. Nonetheless, the game isn’t your typical fighter, as there is much more to do than beat the game’s enemies senseless with high heels.

Played in a style similar to “Tekken 3” and Tekken 4’s” Tekken Force game mode (as well as “Tekken 5’s” Devil Within mini-game and “Tekken 6’s” Scenario Campaign mode) “Death by Degrees” allows the player to control Nina in a 3D environment, allowing them to explore the maps provided. With this, the player is tasked with fighting an assortment of enemies, solve puzzles, find hidden objects and tools, and so on. Although this sounds fun, the most destructive part of this game is indeed the controls. By default, the PlayStation 2 controller’s left analog stick allows Nina to walk, run or evade (perfectly normal), but the right analog is used for Nina’s offensive moves. In theory this wouldn’t present a problem; however it just feels strange, actually making some people feel annoyed with such a control scheme.

Despite the strange feel of the controls, after some time playing the game, you may get used to it—and once you do, the game becomes easy to deal with, for the most part. Those that have played any of the beat ‘em up modes within the Tekken games know that the waves of enemies can sometimes feel relentless, with enemy after enemy coming in to fight. In certain situations of this game what you would believe to be a small encounter can become an unrelenting battle (often thanks to an enemy that has a radio, allowing them to call more enemies to the fight at any time). As well, some of the enemies themselves are extremely overpowered, meaning if you take on too many of them and get cornered you may as well be ready to see that “Game Over” screen.

In spite of these negativities, once you get used to the controls and figure out how to deal with certain enemies it becomes less of a chore to progress through the game. The fighting serves as a perfect reminder of the main series of games, while the puzzles within the game are very similar to Capcom’s “Resident Evil,” with the player having to sometimes examine a particular item and then figure out what to exactly do with it. Oh, and did I mention you can use weapons? Not only can you use Nina’s remarkable martial arts skills, but you can also use melee weapons, guns and explosives.

Along with the initially awkward gameplay, the game’s plotline was the most outstanding feature. In short, Nina is hired by the CIA and MI6 to infiltrate a notorious criminal organization known as “Kometa.” To do this, Nina becomes a fighter for a tournament being held on a boat named the “Amphitrite” that is owned by Kometa. This is all due to a leaked video found on the Internet that shows a Kometa ship exploding within the Bermuda Triangle—and because of this video the CIA believes the organization has access to a powerful superweapon.

Without spoiling too much of the story, the game focuses on Nina infiltrating Kometa and learning about the superweapon codenamed “Project Salacia” all the while dealing with the alarmingly lethal leaders of the organization and her own sister, Anna Williams (you didn’t really think they’d have a game focused on Nina without Anna thrown in did you?).

While the storyline does sound a little typical, with Nina’s well-known character traits and attributes, it fits well. Furthermore, there is so-called “fan service” aimed towards certain members of the audience intended for the game with Nina’s outfits. From wearing practically nothing in a thin bikini, to a full moderately armored bodysuit that covers everything; Nina’s wardrobe ranges in styles, and more than once Namco makes it apparent that Nina is indeed a woman (need I say more?).

Even though Nina is a well-known icon of the “Tekken” franchise, those that have never heard of or played the series will find Nina cold and removed from others within this game, making it very clear that she only cares about her mission and will work with others to accomplish it if need be. Because of this, those that don’t know who Nina Williams actually is can easily get into the game as it doesn’t precisely blend itself into the main games of the franchise. Thanks to this, anyone can get into the game’s story.

Like always, this game isn’t for everyone—and I would strongly advise those that get offended by the showing of skin (leaving not much left for the imagination) to pass this game. However, those that can look past the near nudity in sections, the initially confusing and bizarre feeling of the controls, and the moderately long loading screens could find an interesting spin-off of the “Tekken” franchise.

“Death by Degrees” was developed by Namco and published by Namco Bandai Games. It was released on the PlayStation 2 (PS2) in Japan, North America, and Europe in 2005.

© 2015, zero1gaming.com. All rights reserved. On republishing this article your must provide a link to this original post