Def Jam has returned to the Xbox once again, and this time in 1080p.
The new def Jam is back in a whole new different aspect, with several features added to the game. EA has turned the Def Jam series around with the new fight styles and great features waiting to be experience by any wanna be gangster.
The new style of fighting has changed with several styles such as: Ghetto Blaster, Street Kwon Do, Black Panther, Muay Fly, Beatboxer, and Jah Breaka. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, which can prove to be useful in the game when fighting opponents.

To fight you use mostly all the buttons, the X and A buttons are the fast punches and B and Z are the heavier punches. The right analogue stick controls throws, grapples and controls your power attacks. By pressing the right analogue stick in any direction you can grab and throw an opponent in any direction. But if move the analogue in a circular motion you can unleash some massive power attacks. You can combine fast and heavy punches together and then finish the combo off with a power attack or change them around; the power is in your hands. Pulling off combo's is great but you will at some time need to defend yourself so you can pull the left trigger and move the right analogue stick up and down to defend. After you have thrown your opponent away with your moves you can taunt them with the bumper buttons. While By pulling the left trigger and moving the analogue sticks in a circular motion slows down your opponents song and starts up your song.

The new graphics in this game have really brought the game to life, and with the new environments that are all boppin' and beatin' to the rhythm of the song. One other feature implemented into this game from EA is the player damage, this is forced into the game by having No player HUD by default, which causes you the player to use more of your toe to toe defence, and trying to tell how much more pain your player can endure.

There's more to this game than just pretty details and immersive gameplay. You can fully customise your player from nose detailing and skull size, to chains and new threads.

You start off on the street in a cut-scene where you see a man get gunned down in a drive by. After the cut-scene ends you are then you are put 2 years back and start off with no cash and no home. As the story progresses you find out what your doing there and are approached by the guy on the street, As it progresses you work for him as a record junkie and it's your job to rough up all your competition.

All through the game your main role is to become the best record producer of all time, so you must sign such artists such as: Lil Jon, Ludacris, Big Boi, Sean Paul, Young Jeezy and many other famous rappers. All through the game this is accessed by your PDA, after every fight this will be Jam packed with people asking for favours and asking for money, so your PDA is your best friend throughout this game

While making decisions and giving money away is good, you might want to save some money for yourself and the records. With the money you spend you can buy other things such as grills, bracelets, watches, chains, t-shirts, jeans, hats, beanies, and hundreds of other items. Or invest in your rappers songs and hope that you'll get a good return on the investment.

This game looks great but what it lacks is more responsive moves, the noticeable problem is the delay in attacks and grabs, so all through the fights you rely on your defence and your opponents punches to meet up in the place you want them to.

Another problem is the finishing moves from the past Def Jam games; they have been taken out and replaced with the environments, which is part of the downfall of the game. Without the finishing moves the game just feels a little empty. All in all this game is in need of a good throw down.

Story: 7.0
Design: 7.5
Gameplay: 6.5