bit-tech Shopping: Electronic Arts Def Jam Icon (PS3)

Rating: 6

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Good graphics, very stylized, inventive combat mechanics that take the music into account

Weaknesses: Repetitive fights with generic fighters instead of the other rappers, loose controls

Summary: Def Jam Icon is the flashiest in the series, but also the weakest. The story mode is much weaker than it was in DJ:FFNY, and the controls are not as tight either. It is fun fighting to the music, trying to connect your blows in time with the beat for added "punch" and watching the environment bounce to the rhythm. But the constant fights with generic fighters pull it down some. Of course you know what kind of music you're in for going in, but I will say that if rap isn't your thing, you'll be hearing a LOT of the same songs over and over and it can really grate after a while.

Rating: 4

Time with product: 2 Days

Strengths: A lot of rappers

Weaknesses: Gameplay, Graphics Choppy

Summary: If you enjoyed the earlier games in this series this is not the game for you. The gameplay is not nearly as fun and the graphics were choppy from what I played so far. The previous versions were easy to pick up and play and I found the opposite in Icon. In my opinion this does not come close to meeting the expectations of earlier versions.

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Fun to play

Weaknesses: Not worth $60

Summary: This is a very different type of game than most others on the market. Although there were Def Jam games released before, I haven't played any of them, so I am offering a fresh perspective on the latest offering. The game involves a mix of fighting and music and dancing. However, it doesn't excel at any of those things, but rather is pretty average at all of them. This makes it fun to play, but at the same time not worth $60. The single-player mode is pretty fun, working your way up the ranks. The multi-player mode is fun as well, competing against your friend. However, be sure to give it a chance to get used to the unique controls, because it's not your typical fighting game.Overall, buy it if you can get it very cheap. It'll be fun and different from other games you've tried.

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Variety of fighting locations & characters

Weaknesses: Feels Repetetive. Missing a good career mode

Summary: This is out & out a fighting game with not much of story or career advancement. You can pick various characters & locations & just get into groove. There are some cool locations including a club & car wash. Some of the tracks are good & goes well with the fighting moves. But where the game really shines in the multiplayer. It is really fun to play with others since after a while the AI just repeats itself over & over. If you can find this game in a bargain bin, pick it over. But make sure you are not just picking it up for single player. Or you might not really be able to enjoy the game much

Rating: 6

Time with product: 5 Days

Strengths: graphics, gameplay

Weaknesses: story

Summary: def jam icon for the ps3 is an ok game. the graphics looks really good. the gameplay is decent. not much else besides punching and kicking. there's not much of a story line either.