Essentially, matching moves to beats leads to more effectiveness. A beat-detection feature allows users to check songs and further mesh their movements with the soundtrack. For example, when a particular character's theme song is playing, his punches have more force. The fight sequences and play are linked to the soundtrack. Hubcaps twinkle in time to the pulsating beat and bullets fly to the bone-crushing bass. The soundtrack playing during this PS3 video game is interactive and synchronized with the locales and action. Players manage money, make decisions on whether to do specific rappers favors, and buy clothes and jewelry. Rappers from the real world of rap, including Big Boi, Ludacris, and others, appear in cameo roles.
The premise of this PS3 game is set in a brief "Two Years Earlier" prequel sequence. These include rescuing a famous rapper from an obsessed fan, helping out fledgling rappers for a music producer, and assisting rappers who are friends in brawls. From there, the main character is thrust into a number of scenarios. The story element of this PS3 game is called "Build a Label." Players first create their protagonist using a mock-up of an FBI wanted poster. A variety of settings, some from real-life locations in Atlanta such as night clubs, gas stations, and subway stations, serve as locales. Injured fighters bleed and demonstrate exhaustion. Details such as ripped clothes and bruises add to the visual richness. There is an emphasis on learning from the visual fight cues given by opponents. Players create combination attacks using up to four separate moves. The 28 playable characters in "Def Jam: Icon" throw and block strikes, including punches and kicks, and generally go at it hard in the fights. While the previous PS3 games in the series emphasized wrestling, "Def Jam: Icon" is more about street brawling. It also includes more detailed environments. The music and action are mixed in a way that makes it different from the other PlayStation games within the Def Jam group. A three-dimensional PS3 fighting game, "Def Jam: Icon" is the third title in the Electronic Arts series of games that is licensed by Def Jam itself. The basic idea is to build a lucrative hip-hop label through fighting and business. EA Chicago and Def Jam Interactive joined forces to create this awesome game.