Def Jam: Icon

Def Jam: Icon is a unique fighting game that was released in 2007 exclusively for the seventh generation consoles, including the Xbox 360. Developed by EA Chicago, Def Jam: Icon is the third installment in the Def Jam series and combines tough street fighting with the style and attitude of hip-hop culture. Def Jam: Icon breaks new ground and differs significantly from its two predecessors, Def Jam: Vendetta and Def Jam: Fight for NY.

Def Jam: Icon once again centers on fights between well-known hip-hop stars and fictional characters, but Def Jam: Icon focuses more on presentation, style and music than on pure fighting mechanics. The visual style of Def Jam: Icon is urban, realistic and atmospheric - concrete, neon lights, ghetto blasters and clubs dominate the picture. What is particularly striking in Def Jam: Icon is how music influences the fighting action: the beat has a direct effect on the environment. Explosions, background objects and visual effects react in time to the music, creating a particularly dynamic combat experience.

The Def Jam: Icon soundtrack is an integral part of the game. With tracks from artists such as T.I., The Game, Ludacris, Big Boi, Ghostface Killah and many more, Def Jam: Icon is not just a fighting game, but also a kind of interactive hip-hop production. Some of these artists even appear as playable characters - each with their own fighting style, moves and outfits.

The gameplay of Def Jam: Icon itself is slower and more tactical than in its predecessors. It's less about wrestling or beat-'em-up mechanics and more about positional play, counterattacks, timing and using the environment. Each location in Def Jam: Icon has its own hazards - such as exploding gas stations, collapsing stages or electric shocks - which can be triggered or amplified by the beat.

In the story mode of Def Jam: Icon, you take on the role of an aspiring music mogul who fights and works his way through the music business and the underworld at the same time. You build up a music label, make decisions, earn money and fight for respect. In addition to the story mode, Def Jam: Icon also offers local multiplayer and online modes in which you can compete against other players.

Technically, Def Jam: Icon impressed with its graphical quality on release - the character models and animations in particular were impressively detailed for the time. The integration of music in Def Jam: Icon was also a fresh, innovative element that was not implemented in any other fighting game.

Def Jam: Icon for Xbox 360 is a stylish, unusual fighting game that combines music and action in a creative way. With an atmospheric setting, a strong soundtrack and the opportunity to fight with real rap stars, Def Jam: Icon offers a special experience - especially for hip-hop fans. Even if the gameplay doesn't appeal equally to every fighting fan, Def Jam: Icon remains a bold, style-defining title of its time.