WARNING: READ BEFORE USING YOUR PLAYSTATION®2 COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. A very small percentage of individuals may experience epileptic seizures when exposed to certain light patterns or flashing lights. Exposure to certain patterns or backgrounds on a television screen or while playing video games, including games played on the PlayStation 2 console, may induce an epileptic seizure in these individuals. Certain conditions may induce previously undetected epileptic symptoms even in persons who have no history of prior seizures or epilepsy. If you, or anyone in your family, has an epileptic condition, consult your physician prior to playing. If you experience any of the following symptoms while playing a video game ­ dizziness, altered vision, eye or muscle twitches, loss of awareness, disorientation, any involuntary movement, or convulsions ­ IMMEDIATELY discontinue use and consult your physician before resuming play. WARNING TO OWNERS OF PROJECTION TELEVISIONS: Do not connect your PlayStation 2 console to a projection TV without first consulting the user manual for your projection TV, unless it is of the LCD type. Otherwise, it may permanently damage your TV screen. USE OF UNAUTHORIZED PRODUCT: The use of software or peripherals not authorized by Sony Computer Entertainment America may damage your console and/or invalidate your warranty. Only official or licensed peripherals should be used in the controller ports or memory card slots. HANDLING YOUR PLAYSTATION 2 FORMAT DISC: · This disc is intended for use only with PlayStation 2 consoles with the NTSC U/C designation. · Do not bend it, crush it or submerge it in liquids. · Do not leave it in direct sunlight or near a radiator or other source of heat. · Be sure to take an occasional rest break during extended play. · Keep this compact disc clean. Always hold the disc by the edges and keep it in its protective case when not in use. Clean the disc with a lint-free, soft, dry cloth, wiping in straight lines from center to outer edge. Never use solvents or abrasive cleaners. DOA2 HARDCORE PROLOGUE ~ Disaster of Tengu at the end of the century ~ A great leader was killed at the end of the 20th century. His name was Fame Douglas, and he was renowned as the sponsor of the legendary world battle championship "Dead or Alive." Since his death--and in the absence of his charisma and leadership--the world has become chaotic. Amid this chaos, it is announced that "DOA2: HARDCORE Championship" will be held. However, Douglas' passing has taken with it the purpose and significance of the tournament. Even worse, the promoter of "DOA2: HARDCORE Championship," who is fond of conflicts and jealous of the strong, is responsible for Douglas's death. The new promoter is more than just a corrupt mastermind, but a man of pure evil. His involvement in the tournament has brought a sense of terror to the world, resulting in the infamous Tengu Disaster that occurred at the end of the 20th century. The climax of the disaster is about to begin with a roaring battle. Contents Thank you for purchasing "DOA2:HARDCORE" software for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Be sure to read this instruction booklet before you begin playing the game. This game can be backed up. Backup requires a memory card(for PlayStation 2) sold separately. Never switch off the main unit or insert/remove memory cards(for PlayStation 2) or controllers while saving is in progress. The game screens used in this manual may differ from those of the actual game. Prologue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Starting the Game . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Basic Operations . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Option Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Basic battle know-how . . . . . . .25 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 The World of "Dead or Alive" . .41 Operation DualShockTM2 analog controller This game is designed for use by one to four players. This section describes basic controller operations. Operations shown in black letters are battle operations. represents the Square button in the game. Likewise, represents the Triangle button and controller represents the Circle button. L1/L2 buttons Combine with the Directional button for free steps. R1/R2 buttons + + Changing screens, displays, etc... Tag change (for use during Tag battle only) Changing screens, displays, etc... DIRECTIONAL button Controlling characters Menu selection, etc. button Cancel menus, etc. PUNCH button button FREE SELECT button Not Used LED light (Multi-function button for holds, guarding, free steps, etc.) KICK + (Evade Throw) button ANALOG Mode Switch Turning this on enables Analog mode. The LED lights continuously in red. THROW START button Pause during game Start game Executing menu commands, etc. LEFT ANALOG STICK / RIGHT ANALOG STICK Used for free steps during operation in Analog mode (LED stays red). 4 Game Reset: To reset the game and return to the Title screen during a game, press the START button and SELECT button at the same time. * To play with two or more players, you will need to purchase additional Controllers (sold separately). * Use the Option mode (page 21) to switch the Vibration function on and off. If the Vibration function is on, the controller will vibrate regard less of the setting of the ANALOG mode switch. * The operation method shown uses the default button assignments. Use CONTROLLER SETTING in Option mode to change settings. * Pressing the START button pauses the game. 5 Starting the Game Mode Select Press the START button on the Title screen to display the Mode Select screen. Use the directional buttons to select a mode and press the START button or "X" button. start game Rules 1. Criteria for winning battles In battle, the conditions specified below are required for a set victory and the player that wins the predetermined number of sets wins the battle. KO: Opponent's health falls to 0. Time Up: Your health is greater than your opponent's at time up. Character Select Use the left and right arrows on the directional buttons to select characters. The character's costume can be selected using the Up arrow on the directional buttons when the cursor is on a character in the top row, or the Down arrow when the cursor is on a character in the bottom row. After making your character and costume selection, press the "X" button. Press the triangle button to return to the Mode Select screen. *Different characters have different number of character colors. 2. Draws and sudden deaths A draw occurs when both parties have the same amount of health remaining at time up, or in the event of a double KO. In the event of a draw, both parties earn points for that set. If both parties reach the number of sets required for victory at the same time, a sudden-death match is held. If there is no clear winner even after sudden-death combat, the defending champion is declared the winner. 3. Continue Press the START button within the allotted time following the Game Over message to issue another challenge. 6 7 start game Battle screen Set count: Displays the number of sets required for victory. One light will illuminate for each set victory. The battle is won when all lights are lit. Time: Time up occurs when this counter reaches 0. The player with the most remaining on his or her life gauge wins. Life Gauge: A player loses if his or her gauge drops to 0. About the menu during game pause Pressing the START button during a game pauses the game. A menu screen will be displayed. Exit: Exit closes the menu and returns to the game. Reset: Reset ends the Battle mode and returns to the Title screen. In Tag Battle mode, 1P and 2P each have two life gauges. The display will change so that the life gauge of the character fighting is always displayed in front. Victory Icons: Victory icons appear when a battle has been won (2P battles only). If you win several battles in succession, the number of icons will increase and the shape of the icons will change at one, five, and ten continuous victories. Different characters have different types of victory icons. 8 9 Basic Operations This section explains the basic operations applicable to all characters. Instructions for keys apply when the characters are facing to the right. operations Strikes Punch Kick Character Movements Forward dash Backward dash Run Crouching dash Jump back Standing guard Jump straight up Jump forward Move forward Each character has its own strike moves. Combining them with the use of the directional button, you can execute various attacks. Types of attacks High attack: Hits standing opponents Middle attack: Hits both standing and crouching opponents Low attack: Hits both standing and crouching opponents Super High attack: Hits standing opponents, no guarding Low guard Low guard Crouch forward Free Steps Background movement Foreground movement Critical Combos When your opponent staggers, you have an opportunity for a series of attacks. String your strikes together in the right combination to cause maximum damage. By using the directional button and F button together, you can execute free steps that allow characters to move freely. After entering free-step mode by entering one of the commands, then holding down the F button while operating directional button, you can move freely. If you release the F button or stop using the directional button, the game status will return to normal. The same operation may be carried using the Left/Right sticks on the Analog controller (DualShockTM2 analog controller) or using the directional button while holding down the L1/L2 buttons. Legend The F button shown is the Square button, the P button is the Triangle button and the K button is the Circle button (when default settings are used). · indicates a short press of the directional button, indicates a long press. Guarding High and middle guard Low guard · while the 10 Attacks can be made high, in the middle, or low. To guard against high and middle attacks, use left on the directional button. To guard against low attacks, use down. It is also possible to guard using the F button. You can guard against high attacks by crouching and low attacks by jumping. 1 1 operations Throws + Ordinary throw + Low throw By properly timing the entry of your command against the strikes of your opponent, you can fend off his or her attacks and launch a counterattack. Be aware, however, that the method of entering the Hold command differs depending on the type of strike. Critical Hold When too close to your opponent, you can use the F + P buttons to throw him or her. Different characters have their own special throws. Use the directional button in combination with the F + P buttons to execute more powerful throws. When you receive a hit as a counter, you may be forced into "critical status," during which time you'll be unable to guard yourself or attack. Critical Hold will relieve you from critical status, providing a chance to recover from an unwanted situation. Evade Throw + (Well-timed) Evading Ordinary throws + Evading a string of throws Arcade Version Holding The input procedures for holding moves can be changed to reflect the ARCADE version. To change the setting, use the "CONTROLLER SETTING" in Option mode. The input procedures will reflect PlayStation 2 mode when "Command Type" is set to "PlayStation2" and ARCADE mode when set to "ARCADE." (Against a high attack) High hold Middle punch hold Middle kick hold Low hold Ordinary throws can be evaded by pressing the F + P buttons the instant you're thrown. Some characters will throw again soon after the first throw. Well-timed use of the F + P buttons will enable you to evade that throw. (Against a middle punch attack) (Against a middle kick attack) Hold (Against a high attack) High hold (Against a low attack) Down Attacks + Down attack or Follow-up attack (Against a middle attack) Middle hold When a character goes down, you can execute a follow-up attack. Use the P or K Button for the follow-up attack, depending on the character. Down attack Down attack causes the opponent a bigger damage, but it also gives the opponent a bigger chance to attack while you are trying to use the attack. (Against a low attack) Low hold 12 1 3 operations Modes There are eleven different game modes. Two players can play in Versus mode or during a surprise attack. When two or more people play, additional controllers are required (sold separately). Getting Up 1. Press P button several times in succession: Get up quickly at your present location 2. UP + Press F button several times in succession: Side roll at back of screen 3. DOWN´ + Press F button several times in succession: Side roll at front of screen 4. Press the K button several times in succession while getting up: Middle kick while getting up 5. Press DOWN + K button several ti ...