The 30th-anniversary celebration for the Dead or Alive series has hit a significant roadblock. Dead or Alive 6: Last Round just launched on PC, and for many players, it’s already dead on arrival. The "definitive" edition of the 2019 fighter is currently being hammered in Steam reviews, with 79% of the 709 user reviews labeled as negative.
For fighting game enthusiasts, the disappointment stems from a lack of standard modern features. Despite being billed as the ultimate version of the title, Last Round is functionally identical to the 2019 original. It notably lacks both crossplay and rollback netcode—omissions that fans consider unacceptable for a 2026 release.
- Release: 2026 (PC)
- Developer/Publisher: Koei Tecmo
- Steam Rating: 79% Negative
- DLC Count: 440 pieces
- Total DLC Value: $1,707.60
A Costly Re-release
The pricing structure has become the primary point of contention for the community. The game itself costs $40, yet there is no upgrade path for owners of the original 2019 version, which has been delisted. Players who want to access future updates and DLC characters are forced to purchase the new version at full price.
New players are facing significant sticker shock upon arrival. The game launched with 440 pieces of DLC, totaling $1,707.60. While this figure includes various bundles and character unlocks for the free-to-play version of the game, players have pointed out that the cost for individual character unlocks has doubled, rising from $4 to $8 per character.
Community Response
The sentiment among the player base is overwhelmingly frustrated. One top-rated Steam review noted, "I'm usually pretty resilient to Koei Tecmo greed, but this is too far." Another user expressed similar dismay: "$40. No new content, just the privilege of being able to spend more money on unrevealed DLC later."
While the game does introduce a photo mode and new costumes, these additions have failed to sway critics who expected more substantial upgrades to the core experience. For a series that has historically relied on a steady stream of cosmetic content, this launch has raised concerns about the future of the franchise as it heads toward new entries.
Koei Tecmo has promised future updates and new characters, but for many, the damage to the game’s reputation appears to be done. Whether you're looking for the best fighting games or simply hoping for a fresh start for the series, Last Round currently serves as a reminder of the aggressive monetization strategies that have defined the series since the fifth installment.