Def Jam: Icon, Hip-Hop Combat      

December 22nd, 2007

The insular music business provides a neat counterpart to the previous installment of Def Jam. Real fighting has been substituted for wrestling and the results are satisfying. In the Build-a-Label mode, you rise from humble beginnings into a position of power in the recording industry. As anyone knows, this industry is dirty and Def Jam: Icon does not mince about with niceties. All of the requisite cliches come into play as you wade through attractive ladies, gangsta types, and even a paternity suit. Game play demands your complete attention because of the music tie-ins.One area that the publishers did not skimp on is the music and the way you can choose a favorite song to play as you beat down your opponents. You gain power and unlock features as you go but the best part is the ability to time your songs to the fights. Song choices are outstanding as the roster of licensed rap and hip-hop stars is very impressive. The Def Jam label is, of course, so heavily involved in this title’s production that the stable of artists required to participate (Big Boi, Bun B, E-40, The Game, Ghostface Killah, Jim Jones, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Method Man, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, Redman, Sean Paul, Sticky Fingaz, T.I., and Young Jeezy,) is a who’s who’s list of the best in the genre.The unique DJ controls enable you to scratch and manipulate the music at the crucial times to the point where your character makes turntable types motions in the air when prompted. So Def Jam: Icon makes for a good experience with fighting combos, cultural relevance, and a decent enough story.

Entry Filed under: Game Reviews