Almost 20 years after Virtua Fighter popularised the 3D fighting game, SoulCalibur remains the only major franchise that's given the idea both barrels. Or if you prefer, barrel rolls.
Oh, Tekken may have mastered the art of stepping sideways, but it can't match its rival's dizzying prowess. Bolstered by a ninja Quick Step move, the fifth instalment soon gets our pulses twanging. Going for the groin, eh, Pyrrha? Sorry, but suddenly we're over here, directly behind you and well out of the way of that butter-knife you call a sword. Say hello to our large, spiked, double-headed friend. Now say goodbye.
It's a sequel whose subtleties will divide fans and leave everybody else scratching their heads, wondering why Namco couldn't have released a downloadable update for SoulCalibur 4 instead. SoulCalibur has always been worth raking your scalp over, of course, thanks to its elaborately bonkers characters, the fruits of a head-on clash between Japanese, Asian and European feudal styles.
Wilder newcomers include Z.W.E.I., a smouldering pin-up in a sleeveless jacket who's somehow fallen in with a teleporting, combo-extending werewolf, and Viola, a witch who fights using a crystal ball that can be knocked from her grasp. Pre-order exclusive character Dampierre (introduced by SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny) steals the show with pinstripe trousers, handlebar moustaches and combos that always seem to end between somebody's legs. Alongside these prodigies, Assassin's Creed's normally fabulous Ezio Auditore looks about as flamboyant as Marks & Spencer's.
The new characters aren't especially exciting to play, however: welcome additions to the line-up, but no substitute for the old hands, many of whom sneakily persist in the form of offspring and/or disciples. SoulCalibur 5 is set 17 years after SoulCalibur 4, not that you'd know it from the state of Ivy's chest. The (inevitably ludicrous) plot focuses on Sophitia's children Patroklos and Pyrrha, the first of whom fights quite a lot like his mother, give or take a splash of Lizardman, the second of whom fights all but exactly like her mother. Taki has buggered off on some mystic quest, leaving her daggers and darting footwork to carrot-topped protégé Natsu. Kilik's called it a day, but there's a chap named Xiba who's just as handy with a staff, and Yan Leixia has inherited Xianghua's agile wrist.
In fairness, what there is feels sound. The new "Critical Edge" gauge is a nod to Street Fighter IV that emphasises super moves while treating flash-averse players to a juicy intervening layer of power-up goodness. You can burn the whole gauge on a hands-off show-stopper, or sacrifice a single bar to turn a normal attack into an amplified "Brave Edge" move. In a surprise twist, the old Guard Impact mechanic - now "Just Guard" - also eats into the gauge; the trade-off for reversal specialists is that height is no longer a factor, and you don't have to worry about people countering your guards if you fudge the timing.
14 comments so far...
SidTheSloth on 31 Jan '12 said:
Hi Ed, i know 7 is a decent score, but to help me put it in perspective are you a fighting game/beat-em-up fan? I only ask as if you are, 7 seems a bit disappointing, whereas if you're not i'd say 7 is a good score and means someone like me would give it a 9!? Not trying to be churlish, just my amateur writing skills fail to convey the correct tone a lot of the time and i come across as unintentionally cynical!!
I almost shed a tear when i rad there's no Kilik though, but watched a video of the new guy (Xiba?!) who has, on the admittedly short display, the exact same moves which begs the question what was the bloody point!? Why not keep kilik and add new moves for xiba
OXM ETboy on 31 Jan '12 said:
I'm not your classic fighting game fan, no, but I played the hell out of SE, SC2 and SC4.
If you just want the old SC cast plus tweaks and some fun extras, I'd add a point or two to the score. But I really wanted new modes, and I really wanted Weapon Master back. It wasn't perfect, but it's by far the most compelling and lasting single player mode I've ever seen in a fighting game. Which isn't saying much, admittedly.
SidTheSloth on 31 Jan '12 said:
Thanks Ed, i could tell you had some SC history by the clear depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the review!
I didn't play 4 after being disappointed with 3 but 2 was awesome - i weirdly played it on the gamecube for which the controller was an awesome fit - and agree about the weapon master mode in it too, it was very compelling for a fighter 'campaign'!
I'm still on the fence but i believe my mad catz SF tourny stick should be compatible so i may well be tempted!
OXM ETboy on 31 Jan '12 said:
Happy to be of service
CunningSmile on 31 Jan '12 said:
SC is the only fighting franchise I look forward to as it's the only one that fits in the part of my brain labelled "How to fight," I was going to buy this regardless, but pity that they haven't matched SC2's excellent campaign. I really miss fighting while sliding on ice or dancing through mine fields.
EDIT: Just read CVG's review round up, and was everyone playing the same game? One reviewer gives this game a 8.5/10 and praises the single player "...that other fighting games are only just starting to match..." whilst another gives it 7/10 and specifically says they knocked off points because of the lack of decent of single player. It goes on like that, all averaging 7 or 8s but half praising the fantastic single player, the other half complaining about how it doesn't really have one. Although not quoted on CVG I read Xbox World and they actually complained about the multiplayer suffering as a result of focusing too much on the SP. Are there two versions of this game but no one told the reviewers which they were getting?
Windowlicker79 on 31 Jan '12 said:
What he said.
I'm quite confused as different reviews have completely opposing views on the single player aspect of the game.
To be honest the only things I'm worried about are 2 player games. Me and my house mate play a LOT of SSF4, Marvel V Capcom, Mortal Kombat etc. As long as it plays as good or better than previous SC games in a local VS match then I'll be happy.
Also are the controls easily configurable? I'd like to use the pair of Tekken 6 wireless joysticks that we have for it.
SidTheSloth on 31 Jan '12 said:
Hmm, the plot is thickening then... But Ed has given you a point of reference with regard it being inferior (but not shit) to 2's pretty cool weapon master mode?
Combat wise the reviews all seem very positive and the few vids i've seen look like classic SC to me, think overall i'll be persuaded into a purchase, it's been a while so im quite looking forward to it - just hope we don't have a slew of DLC in the weeks after for the characters they've cut out - how's that for cynical!?
OXM ETboy on 31 Jan '12 said:
The SC5 story mode is just the usual interplay of melodramatic cutscenes and contrived fights. It's no worse or better than what you'd see in something like Street Fighter 4. I certainly wouldn't buy the game for it.
I'll check about the control configuration options when I have a moment.
Windowlicker79 on 31 Jan '12 said:
As long as the default layout is good for using arcade sticks then I'm happy. I find it almost impossible to play fighting games with a standard controller now.
CunningSmile on 1 Feb '12 said:
They've already announced three DLC costume packs over the next two months, so I don't think you're being cynical at all.
SidTheSloth on 1 Feb '12 said:
Aaaah, that all too familiar feeling of not surprised washing over me... Idiots will no doubt buy them too so they'll do exactly the same next time. Was playing Gears with Bezza the other night and spotted a gun skin pack for the small price of 3600 MS points (that's not a typo!)
That surely makes horse armour bargain of the century? I don't think that's included in the gears season pass either. These weapon/character skins are the biggest rip-offs dlc wise for me - certainly couldn't care less on a fighting game what colour trousers they're wearing!
CunningSmile on 1 Feb '12 said:
The three announced are only 160 points each, so at least realistically priced. Have to admit that if they release a japanese school girl set like they did for SC4 I will buy it
SidTheSloth on 1 Feb '12 said:
Is it not embarrassing having the sh*t kicked out of you by a japanese schoolgirl?
Will they release a japanese schoolboy pack for the girls and gentlemen who are into that sort of thing? I'm amazed the PC police haven't cottoned onto this yet?
I'll reserve judgment on the price till i see exactly what's included but 160 sounds far more reasonable admittedly!
CunningSmile on 1 Feb '12 said:
My girlfriend is 4'11" with bright pink hair, normally in bunches, and is at least as good with a sword as I am. Strangely the more like an anime character I can make the female characters the more natural it feels