When AKI was running the show, the Def Jam series was a cool mix of street fighting and wrestling starring the biggest names in the Def Jam industry. The series took off to become a huge success and sold by the millions. Now with the in-house EA Chicago team working on the project, the game not only has a different approach, but also a questionable turn at that, which may alienate some of their hardcore fans.

What you have now is a slower paced fighting title that is more focused upon beating on the backdrops than on the stars at hand. In this game, beats trigger hazardous situations for your environments while reacting to the music in time. You will see things from exploding gas pumps, to crumbling structures relinquishing beneath your wake as you pound your foe on the foreground. The Icons themselves are very detailed and are easily recognized at first glance. It’s hard not to play as Lil’ John and when laying the smack down on someone not to scream, “What?” after each blow. Other artist like Big Boi, The Game, Ludacris, and T.I. are at your disposal.

Using a “DJ” control system, your analog sticks are used like a turntable to add beats, switch songs, and literally make music your weapon. As far as the fighting engine goes, it is not without its fair share of issues. The controls are a bit sluggish and sometimes unresponsive. When you do pull off special moves and combos, the reward for getting there is worth it, as everything is animated amazingly well. The hampering and slow controls make getting to that point frustrating. If the game were at a less realistic pace to flow with its not so realistic concept, this game may have turned out to play better with more speed and quicker response time. As it is, gamers will become irritated waiting for the results to become satisfactory.

If you happen to enjoy this slower, methodically paced action, then you can take yourself online and beat down others who are in the same mind set as yourself. Of course, the game supports the single console multiplayer and story modes to open up new environments, characters, and other goodies.

When the dust settles, it will be fair to say this isn’t the best effort that EA has put upon a game, and even the ideas the game implements aren’t much to build upon for future installments. Def Jam: Icon is for the most hardcore of hip-hop fans, if only to collect the game for showing much love for their personal icons.