SoulCalibur IV Review

By Richard Leadbetter Published 30 July, 2008

It's out for the lads.

Version tested: Xbox 360

Relax, breathe easy. All is well within the Namco fighting game universe. Soulcalibur IV boots up predictably with the usual CG intro loveliness, staggeringly good HD graphics, the full-fat 60FPS gameplay experience and a satisfyingly vast selection of single-player modes in addition to versus and online action. It's everything a die-hard Namco fan would want from the franchise's transition to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 - and it's this which is the game's greatest strength and biggest weakness.

To get the bad news out of the way first, Namco has done little to refresh or redefine a genre enduring a terminal decline in popularity. Undoubtedly, Soulcalibur IV is very good and has at least one genuinely brilliant new feature. But in terms of the basic fighting gameplay barely anything has changed since the series' last- gen console outings. The formula that has stood Namco in such good stead has been tweaked yet again, but there has been only gradual evolution since the arcade debut of Soul Edge more than 12 years ago.

Despite the use of the ubiquitous Havoc physics engine, the characters look and move exactly as you would expect. The animations are as pre-baked as they always have been, the input method and control scheme remain identical, and aside from a couple of basic, unremarkable moments, interactions with the backgrounds are extremely limited.

You can't help but feel Namco has missed a real opportunity to re-invigorate the gameplay using the massively superior technology that PS3 and Xbox 360 feature. But equally, with fighting game releases being so rare these days, it's a joy to find that Soulcalibur IV is so beautiful, so right, in so many respects.

'SoulCalibur IV' Screenshot 1

The old "Pull my finger" trick worked every time.

Historically, Namco has been skilled in spinning the basic arcade mode into a variety of intriguing single-player options. There's the story mode - essentially a beginner's guide to the world of Soulcalibur, giving even the greenest warriors the chance to beat some opponents and earn collectable weaponry. Then there's the Tower of Lost Souls. Ascending the mighty structure sees you taking on increasingly tough battles against characters kitted out with a vast array of different weapons, equipment and special skills. You decrypt mysterious hints and adjust your fighting strategy to unlock clothing and accessory bonuses. Descending the tower promises more of the same, this time with more of a survival mode edge.

What quickly becomes obvious is the basic fighting roster won't cut it against the challenge being laid down. You realise that while the basic gameplay hasn't really evolved significantly, the surrounding trimmings have definitely been improved. Soulcalibur IV features a character creation mode that is - quite simply - one of the most advanced yet seen this generation.

'SoulCalibur IV' Screenshot 2

Despite a varied character roster, most of the female fighters share a couple of very obvious qualities.

You can take an existing character and adjust their weapons, clothing and trinkets, or you can create an entirely new fighter completely from scratch. While the basic fighting moves on offer can't be adjusted (your creation still needs to have their move-list derived from one of the existing characters), different weapons and clothing adjust your stats in different ways. In turn, those stats give you access to a range of different abilities and techniques - the power to stave off ring-outs, restore hit points, or even turn invisible, for example.

In short, what could've just been a function for creating an individual avatar in a similar way to Virtua Fighter 5 is so much more. Online and superior AV aside, it's the only thing that really elevates this over the previous Soulcalibur titles. The Tower of Lost Souls essentially forces you to create a range of different characters, each suited to a particular type of challenge. The fact that you can then take these characters online, tweaking them further if necessary, is a further bonus.

Online, there's little more on offer than basic versus gameplay - a bit of a disappointment bearing in mind the creativity surrounding the single-player options. There's the usual array of player and ranked matches, along with the ability to take both basic and customised characters into the fray. This is a smart move from Namco as it allows newcomers to give online a go without the fear of begin annihilated by a tailor-made Soul Calibur-wielding maniac, complete with ridiculous stats and special abilities.

A pre-launch patch includes a ping meter with latency between players measured on a scale of 1-5. A three-bar ping produces a gameplay experience with variable lag, while four to five bar connections are generally excellent - pretty much approaching Virtua Fighter 5 Xbox Live performance.

So long as you choose your opponents carefully and bear latency in mind, online works. Considering how much the game relies on the brilliant character customisation mode to extend its lifespan, that's a major win. However, the online game doesn't take on a life of its own in the same way as titles like Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 - it still feels tagged onto the single-player game, with nothing in the way of online-only bonus weaponry or equipment that I could find. Basic options like a rematch feature are also absent, with the game dumping you back to the lobby post-bout.

Having managed to get this far without mentioning the Star Wars connection, it's probably about time. The 360 code I played gets Yoda as the bonus playable fighter, accessible from the select screen immediately and the key to unlocking the mysterious Apprentice character. While Yoda himself is a fully formed Soulcalibur fighter (albeit limited in customisation potential, like the bosses) his appearance in the game is hardly its highpoint.

His diminutive stature makes him impossible to throw (expect to see him crop up regularly online then) and his moves bear only a passing relation to the insane duelling abilities seen in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. The PS3 game, which I've yet to play, features Darth Vader instead, but leaked videos and shots suggest that both fighters will be available on both platforms in the fullness of time.

'SoulCalibur IV' Screenshot 3

New boss Algol is supposedly the toughest character of the series so far.

As an overall package then, Soulcalibur IV does plenty to keep everyone happy. Just like all the best one-on-one fighting games, there is a hugely complex and technical gameplay experience to be had if you delve deep enough. However, Namco has wisely made the single-player mode accessible enough for unskilled button-bashers to enjoy; the Story option is almost stupefyingly easy to complete at its default difficulty setting. It does enough to leave you hungry for more, so hopefully newcomers will check out the training modes and moves lists before moving on to the tougher Tower of Lost Souls challenges.

But for all the game's technical excellence, sumptuous graphics and epic soundtrack, Soulcalibur IV also serves to remind us just how bereft of basic innovation the one-on-one fight genre has become. Were it not for the customisation and online options, this would essentially be an HD rendition of previous games. As it is, Soulcalibur IV's new features and its ability to entertain both newcomers and fighting game experts make it a good buy - if not the revolutionary leap to the next level you might've hoped for.

8 / 10

Read the Eurogamer.net scoring policy
Picture of Richard.

About Richard Leadbetter

Rich has been a games journalist since the days of 16-bit and specialises in technical analysis. Commonly known around Eurogamer as the Blacksmith of the Future.

Read more articles from Richard by visiting the Richard Leadbetter archive page.

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Comments (123) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Zomoniac #1 4 years ago

    w00t!!!

  • TheNinkyNonk #2 4 years ago

    Fyaaaawnighting games?

  • Der_tolle_Emil #3 4 years ago

    Just recently I found out that there is an adaptor out there that would allow me to use my PS2 Hori Fighting Stick on the 360. I think I'll get it - it makes SC IV look much more interesting. Also I don't think I can skip SF IV and I don't even dare thinking about playing it with a 360 pad.

  • DFawkes #4 4 years ago

    I hate fighting games, but have always loved Soul Calibur. Is Necrid back, or did the fact everyone in the world apart from me hated him not bode well?

  • Darren #5 4 years ago

    "To get the bad news out of the way first, Namco has done little to refresh or redefine a genre enduring a terminal decline in popularity. Undoubtedly, Soulcalibur IV is very good and has at least one genuinely brilliant new feature. But in terms of the basic fighting gameplay barely anything has changed since the series' last- gen console outings.

    You could say this about about beat 'em up sequel really... were Dead Or Alive 4 or Virtua Fighter 5 really that different from their predecessors for example? Given the simplistic nature of beat 'em ups there isn't really a whole lot you can do with the genre anyway short of improve what's there already... prettier visuals, slicker animation, interactive levels, refined controls, tweaked combat... oh and online gameplay for those that care. Ultimately you still end up with a very similar game.

  • Hugh.G.Rection #6 4 years ago

    I liked Necrid, just for the fact my mates hated me more when i wooped them with him.

    "But for all the game's technical excellence, sumptuous graphics and epic soundtrack, Soulcalibur IV also serves to remind us just how bereft of basic innovation the one-on-one fight genre has become. Were it not for the customisation and online options, this WOULD ESSENTIALLY BE AN HD RENDITION OF PREVIOUS GAMES" ............... ummm GTA anyone? Come to think of it, 90% of todays games apply to that statement Richard.

  • Colin8703 #7 4 years ago

    I thought Necrid was in Streetfighter 3.

  • Widge #8 4 years ago

    Not alot has changed since PS1 days really in the fighting arena...
    Always tempted to get one of these games, but I found the joy in the likes of Dead Or Alive was having a bunch of mates around with a few beers... not something I get a chance to with Madam Television hog in force nowadays.

  • JohnnyWashnGo #9 4 years ago

    They should start letting more fighters in on the action.

    One-on-one is fine for a while but after reading the review of IK+ the other day, my nostalgia for a good threesome demands more than two players.

  • Colin8703 #10 4 years ago

    Sorry, that was Necro i was thinking of.

  • kangarootoo #11 4 years ago

    That is one ludicrously good looking game. Fighting games aren't really my bag, but those graphics alone are enough to make me interested in seeing it moving around.

  • Darren #12 4 years ago

    "The PS3 game, which I've yet to play, features Darth Vader instead, but leaked videos and shots suggest that both fighters will be available on both platforms in the fullness of time."

    I think most people are expecting this but hopefuilly it will turn out to be true because Vader vs Yoda matches would be cool and that's something you obvously cannot do in either version at the moment. Seems silly to me to give each game an exclusive character as PS3-only owners can only play the PS3 version and Xbox 360-only owners can only play the Xbox 360 version. For us multiplatform gamers, it creates the dilemna of which version to buy but surely the publishers don't expect us to buy both versions?

  • frostcircus #13 4 years ago

    I'm still not clear on whether the Star Wars content is an extra feature or part of the main game.

    Like, while playing through the arcade/story/whatever mode, do you suddenly find yourself fighting Yoda? It's not like I play these games for the story or even the setting, but that sort of thing would surely jar.

  • asphaltcowboy #14 4 years ago

    Soulcalibur IV boots up predictably with the usual CG intro loveliness, staggeringly good HD graphics, the full-fat 60FPS gameplay experience and a satisfyingly vast selection of single-player modes in addition to versus and online action...

    ...and voiceovers that make little to no sense!

  • TheJuriel #15 4 years ago

    I too want to know if you HAVE to randomly face Yoda in singleplayer, or if he's there as an extra option...

    Still undecided on this, after the gimmicky 3rd.

  • anomagnus #16 4 years ago

    @ nat,

    you're supposed to clear the game, gaining new clothing and new weapons

    when they say tweaking the character, they dont mean you change the freckles on their face, but you can tailor the stats to perfection

  • Darren #17 4 years ago

    farticusmaximus - "Very glad to hear they have not ballsed up the pure gameplay of SC, and also very pleased to hear they managed to keep 60fps."

    Managed to keep 60 fps?!? :?

    I'd have been shocked if this game had ran at anything less than that because both DOA4 and VF5 easily managed 60 fps... in fact, I'm struggling to think of a decent 3D beat 'em up that hasn't ran at 60 fps in this or the previous generation since anything less would almost certainly ruin the timings. Is there such a beast? LOL

  • bad09 #18 4 years ago

    \o/

    Want! Cannot wait to get online with this!

  • Santino #19 4 years ago

    apparently yoda cannot be thrown, in fact i think all of the star wars characters are meant to be a bit broken. i quite enjoyed soul calibur 2 but i might give this a miss as i play a lot of VF5 and am worried this might seem a bit shallow in comparison.

  • monkie_king #20 4 years ago

    Der_tolle_Emil: what adapter is that? THe only one I know of is the XFPS thing, which costs about £70 and also needs a wired 360 pad to be connected with it. Let me know if you've found something cheaper.

  • mikeck #21 4 years ago

    Re the Star Wars charcters - they will both be available for both consoles, but the non 'exclusive' charcter will be via DLC. Therefore upon launch the PS3 gets Darth, and then Yoda will be offered via DLC at a later date, and vice-versa for the x360.

    I'm not keen though on the three Star Wars characters added to the roster, they will jar in the game, I can't see past this as anything other than a money grabbing attempt.
    Edited by 1 at 30/07/08 @ 14:38

  • johnnybrn #22 4 years ago

    I didnt mind that the last SC had Spawn characters or Tekken characters. Just mixes it up a little and doesnt detract from what little story there is.

    Mmmm, this or Ninja Gaiden for this month purchase?

  • SeesThroughAll #23 4 years ago

    They definitely should add specific extra characters as DLC in the future (for example, Ryu and Spartan on the 360 and Kratos and Nariko on the PS3).

  • MORZTAN #24 4 years ago

    "The old "Pull my finger" trick worked every time."

    lol!

    Damn you Eurogamer! Now my boss looks at me suspiciously!

  • 1Dgaf #25 4 years ago

    I'm really quite excited about this. I've had my copy ordered for months.

  • saku_luk #26 4 years ago

    Preordered it month ago, can't wait to play this!!

    And btw Vader > Yoda...to bad they won't stay exclusive for each platform....I wont be able to tease my friend for long :p

  • Skywise #27 4 years ago

    How come the best fighting game by far gets only an 8? :S

  • TONYgr #28 4 years ago

    online needs work.lag problems.im talking about the ps3 edition,i dont have a gold live account.easily the best and more balanced sw character is vader.also where is team battle mode?and why you can change characters in tower mode and there isnt a tag team mode like doa4?stupid!8 is a perfect score.lets just hope they will fix the lag problems.
    Edited by 2 at 30/07/08 @ 15:06

  • Feanor #29 4 years ago

    Did the review mention how the game plays on the 360's rather poor D-pad? Or did the reviewer play with a decent aracde stick?

  • Ryze #30 4 years ago

    @Der_tolle_Emil

    ????

    So I guess this will let me use other PS2 controllers with the 360 also?

    Please share the wealth.

  • locus2k1 #31 4 years ago

    hmmm, tough choice to make here... which console to buy it on? i'm think ps3 > 360 as vader > yoda, but if it ends up requiring a 4GB installation i'll get it on the 360, i really cannot be arsed removing other installations, i like the "pick up and play" option... no way in hell i'm unistalling GT5P lol

  • mingster #32 4 years ago

    Does it have master mode?

  • monkie_king #33 4 years ago

    No Team Battle mode? That's unpossible!

  • stevetuck #34 4 years ago

    Does it have subspace emissary?

  • TONYgr #35 4 years ago

    YUP! NO TEAM BATTLE MODE!OR A PURE SURVIVAL MODE,AND WITHOUT THE SUPER ENVIROMENTAL EFFECTS LIKE THE SLIPERY SURFACES AND THE SAND SURFACES OF SOUL CALIBUR 1 ON DREAMCAST!THEY ARE STUPID.

  • Rash' #36 4 years ago

    SeesThroughAll, Excellent suggestions for PS3 specific DLC characters. Both Kratos and Nariko would suit the SC universe.

  • Darren #37 4 years ago

    Feanor - "Did the review mention how the game plays on the 360's rather poor D-pad? Or did the reviewer play with a decent aracde stick?"

    I remember the Dreamcast's Soulcalibur playing perfectly fine with the analogue stick so that's the way I've played each subsequent version on the Xbox (SCII) then the PS2 (SCIII). I've never used the D-pad at all nor would I want to (and certainly not on the Xbox 360!). The analogue stick makes circling around the opponent feel natural and mimics the feel of an arcade joystick too (although obviously much smaller and analogue rather than digital).

  • Darren #38 4 years ago

    @locus2k1 - From what I've read elsewhere, the PS3 game install is optional and only 2.85 GB.

  • RexRunti #39 4 years ago

    http://ww w.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.p...

  • TONYgr #40 4 years ago

    more fun character is the aprentice.but HE is overpowered as hell.for competitive play is easily vader.it just need time to learn the moves and the timing.thats all.
    Edited by 1 at 30/07/08 @ 15:36

  • Feanor #41 4 years ago

    "I remember the Dreamcast's Soulcalibur playing perfectly fine with the analogue stick so that's the way I've played each subsequent version on the Xbox (SCII) then the PS2 (SCIII). I've never used the D-pad at all nor would I want to (and certainly not on the Xbox 360!). The analogue stick makes circling around the opponent feel natural and mimics the feel of an arcade joystick too (although obviously much smaller and analogue rather than digital)."

    Oh yeah, I forgot you could use the analog stick. That's how I played SC 2 on the PS2.

  • mikeck #42 4 years ago

    @ locus - as I mentioned already the Star Wars characters will be out on both consoles at some point as DLC, don't make your choice based on SW character, make your choice on console preference.

  • FladgeMangle #43 4 years ago

    As were living in the "player pack" generation, how about some Tekken characters at some point?

    Yoshimitsu for a start, also Heihachi as he's already been in it and what about Jack-2?

    And! How about some FF characters as well, seeing as we also seem to be living in the "IP mash-up" generation?

    Zack, Cloud, Squall, Tidus and YOJIMBO! BAHAMUT!! KNIGHTS OF THE FRICKIN' ROUND!!!?

    Oops, getting silly now.

  • 1Dgaf #44 4 years ago

    If you want to see how it plays with the 360 pad, why not download the SoulCalibur one demo?

  • michaelius #45 4 years ago

    Lack of innovation isn't bad in this case it's more around the line of don't fix what isn't broken (insert bad Fallblivion pun here).

    Also i think comment that online is forcefully added to single player game is completly wrong.
    They real fun with fightning games is when your friends come and you smash them while joking and trash talking them :)


    Is there an option of SW free mode when online ? Becouse i don't want to run into yoda jerks every 10 minutes.

  • Serraphin #46 4 years ago

    have to have this, ps3 or x360 version though... hmmm

    picked the 360 for achievements and not having to mess with install shenanigans. Starwars char weren't a priority.

    (Here's hoping trophies gets off the ground and my mates buy a ps3!)

    edit: can see why it's not an 8 as some people (purists) see weapons in a fighting game as a no go.
    Edited by 1 at 30/07/08 @ 16:00

  • johnnybrn #47 4 years ago

    blig_merk,

    Come on dude, lets not start the bickering again

  • TONYgr #48 4 years ago


    blig_merk

    i dont think they are biased.they just review the edition with the biggest installed base.simple as that.
    Edited by 1 at 30/07/08 @ 15:56

  • ghearoid #49 4 years ago

    Um, is Kilik in this one?
    Edited by 1 at 30/07/08 @ 18:47

  • asphaltcowboy #50 4 years ago

    @blig_merk

    lol, which version do you think they were sent? 8)

  • Skywise #51 4 years ago

    I'd like Soul Calibur to copy the tag team and the multi-levelled stages of Dead or Alive, but even without it SC is fun for new players and veterans and that makes it my favourite fighting game.

  • TONYgr #52 4 years ago

    blig_merk

    no trophies support.

  • JonFE #53 4 years ago

    "They review the 360 version when the internet concencus is the Ps3 version is superior."

    I suppose you know for a fact that they have been sent a PS3 version as well but chose not base their review on that, right?

    EDIT: Don''t you worry though; the next face-off will fix this little injustice :)
    Edited by 1 at 30/07/08 @ 16:21

  • Derblington #54 4 years ago

    Probably because of the instal make the game feel slightly smoother. The games are the same though - which version is reviewed doesn't matter, if you have both machines pick the one with the pad or online system that you prefer to use.

  • saku_luk #55 4 years ago

    To the one that was wandering if SC4 requires installation... NO there is an optional installation that speed up loading time, but you don't have to use it...

  • Widge #56 4 years ago

    Serraphin! Optional install I believe on this one...

  • bitesize #57 4 years ago

    blig_merk:Eurogamer are biased. They review the 360 version when the internet concencus is the Ps3 version is superior.

    jeez man, do you do nothing but complain about this site?? they've stated time and time again that publishers always send them the 360 version, so that's the version they review. then later (after they've got the ps3 version), a comparison article goes up that explains the differences. oh i forgot, you don't like the fact they do comparisons either...

    Edited by 1 at 30/07/08 @ 16:35

  • Widge #58 4 years ago

    They are basically the same barring different SW specials... this is what it is like nowadays, one review really does fit all.

    Not unless you want to sit at home for some hot pause action, analysing the graphics in depth.

  • klem578 #59 4 years ago

    Shit, i got the Hori EX2 for my 360 but no peeps to play it with online, on the other hand i got virtual buddies on the psn but don't have a joystick,although the d-pad is fantastic for beat em ups...

    What to do,what to do... :)

    Seriously now lads,what i'm most interested in is whether (on the PS3) the game uses GLOBAL servers or REGION specific ones (like Tekken DR).

    I can't even begin to describe how shit it was for VF5 online trying to find a lobby with a good connection (ie, european lobbies).
    Sometimes having region specific servers works better (lag-wise)...

    PS: How big is the install? Shitty 40 Gb model you see...

  • TONYgr #60 4 years ago

    interesting question KLEM.i would like to know too if it uses global or region servers.from my experience it has lag problems.
    Edited by 2 at 30/07/08 @ 16:43

  • TONYgr #61 4 years ago

    hello stelara!tora thimithika oti eisai esy!

  • klem578 #62 4 years ago

    @evilfoxhound : Thank you very much mate for the info ,i only got 9Gigs left on the HD, shitttttttt :)

    I played it for 3 days lads on my 360,the loading times are super fast, i can't imagine how much more faster they could be on the PS3...

    If anyone's up for some good matches on the PS3 send a PM on EG so we could exchange Psn Ids.

    Cheers

    PS: guys, the game is fecking cheap on the X360 (region-free vers.), only 20-somethin' pounds, ruuuuuuuuuuuuuun !

    PS2: Ela re Tony ! I sent you a Pm mate,check it out...
    Well, it's easy to understand if it has region or gloabal servers,if the ping is 9 out of 10 times sky-high it means (usually) that you're playing with peeps far away from you (America, Asia) - that - or it could also mean that the game has shitty net-code or that your connection is fecked =D
    Edited by 1 at 30/07/08 @ 16:48

  • thedaveeyres #63 4 years ago

    Punch! Kick! It's all in the mind!

  • TONYgr #64 4 years ago

    okey stelara!i will check it tonight.bye mate.

  • StarchildHypocrethes #65 4 years ago

    For those interested, Gamestation seem to have new Hori EX2 sticks for £19.99.

    At least my local one did anyway \o/

  • saku_luk #66 4 years ago

    The character creation in this game is just pure win.....I WANT IT NOW!!! why the hell US always gets things faster...even with region free PS3 games LOL...sad :/

  • miiiguel #67 4 years ago

    that blig dude is obsessed with 360's. Take a look at his post history, you wont find a post that doesn't have the word "360" in it.

  • Zappa #68 4 years ago

    lol MGS4 blows this away too yet they both get 8.

  • speedsix #69 4 years ago

    Skywise - "How come the best fighting game by far gets only an 8? :S"

    Because it's not VF5?

  • miiiguel #70 4 years ago

    "lol MGS4 blows this away too yet they both get 8. "
    That comparision makes no sense, imho. It's like comparing bikes with cars.

    Anyway, although I can see plenty of improvement on the coments section, the bullishing "PS3 is da clever, 360 is da shooter, oh my god da evil!" thingy is disapearing and yet the "let's rush to see the score and then scream OH DA BIAS!!! Ridicule! MGS IS DA BESTEST and yet this gets more score, oh oh oh!" is spawning quite frequently.
    Edited by 2 at 30/07/08 @ 18:12

  • FenderMaster #71 4 years ago

    I think they need to remove cheap last bosses from fighting games

  • Apostle #72 4 years ago

    As good as MGS4 then?

  • Skywise #73 4 years ago

    Virtua Fighter 5 is less fun than the Dead or Alive 4 demo in the opinion of my cousins and me. I think only people who started at VF 1 or VF 2 might get some enjoyment out of it

  • mkreku #74 4 years ago

    Why no mega-boob screenshots on Eurogamer?! I'M DISAPPOINTED

    /takes fapping elsewhere

  • Santino #75 4 years ago

    "I think only people who started at VF 1 or VF 2 might get some enjoyment out of it"

    WRONG, wrong, wrong

    it just takes dedication, time and patience, something i admit some people just do not have. but to question the fact that people are able to get into and enjoy the game at the 5th installment is a bit far fetched.

    VF5 IS the toughest fighting game to get into, but that is because it is the most balanced, most technical, and most demanding fighting game there is. those however are also the reasons why it is clearly the best for the dedicated fan.

    i rented this out earlier from my work, feels a bit sluggish compared to the earlier games but might still be a bit of fun in the right crowd.

  • Skywise #76 4 years ago

    the dedication, fun and patience is there, but VF 5 wasn't even a tiny bit fun in the first weeks. In contrast to every other fighting game I know. Also it feels very sluggish, like you're never in control of the characters.

    Edit: I'm going to stop the anti-VF5 rant now. I;m just curious if there are people out there who like it and who haven't played the first 2 parts
    Edited by 1 at 30/07/08 @ 23:19

  • wingzerosys #77 4 years ago

    I've preordered the ps3 version, according to Ign (non fanboy's, unlike euro369gaymer) Yoda is broken, he's too small, hard to hit and cannot grapple (not even against another Yoda), a shame though, I was thinking of picking up the 360 version sometime too.

    Although both versions are identical ( minus the exclusive character), euro369gaymer will say the 360 version is better.

  • Derblington #78 4 years ago

    wingzerosys: Are you 10?

  • wingzerosys #79 4 years ago

    ^You're pathetic.

    I don't deserve the game cos I wanna play as Vader? Try and stop me.

    Just because Yoda is shit/broken, doesn't mean I can't use Vader.

    I got SC II for Link, big fucking deal.

  • SeesThroughAll #80 4 years ago

    We'll take that as a yes.

  • harlekein #81 4 years ago

    What kind of innovation do you expect? Look at it like you would look at a sports game. You don't expect innovation in Pro Evo now do you? Besides, the soul gauges are a HUGE change. A lot of characters got some work done on their moves and some even got new stances. Seriously, what would you want more? An entirely different game?

    The single player is just for the heck of it. The real game is about going mano a mano with your friends. The online mode is decent, but lag will always be a presence. I do agree that the lobby system is ridiculous.

  • FooAtari #82 4 years ago

    We'll take that as a yes.

    Definitely.

  • wingzerosys #83 4 years ago

    Link, Spawn, Hiehachi (sp), Apprentice/Star Killer, Vader and Yoda are just guest character's which don't really belong in SC, but seeing as there added, why not use em.

    Heck Yoshimitsu from the Tekken series was added in SC, he doesn't really fit but he's now a regular.

    SSB:Brawl is a Nintendo beat em up, they added Sonic and Snake.

    DOA 4 added a female Spartan (Nicole) from the Halo series.

    I wouldn't be surprised if a guest character shows up in a future Tekken.

    So if you cannot stand them, ignore them, I however, will use them.
    Edited by 1 at 31/07/08 @ 00:22

  • NegativeZero #84 4 years ago

    This is admittedly a very subjective opinion, but I really think that visually the series has gotten more ugly with each iteration. Certainly, the texture quality and overall fidelity has improved each time, and the environments are unarguably the best looking they've ever been. My problem is with the characters themselves. I think that it's Namco's constant push to make everything look more 'realistic'. To me the characters were more appealing visually in the original.

    Then again, the fact that I'm wired up wrong and find huge flabby fat-sack boobs to be a major turn-off probably doesn't help.

  • Enzeru #85 4 years ago

    Vast selection of single-player modes? The story and arcade modes are the same really, only story has a 20sec cutscene at the and takes about 5 minutes to clear, and the Tower of Lost Souls is just grinding harder and harder matches with stupidly high difficulty levels higher up, and the descent is just the same only you can't die. And you only unlock more fancy stuff for your character anyway, and if you ascend the whole tower, you even get a Congratulations in the end, but that's about it. Sure, customizing "skills" gives it another angle, but it's far from fun anyway, it's just something you must do to survive for more than 1 match in the Tower. To get the best out of the gear you need to combine different outfits anyway, so your character still looks like Urkle in the end.

    And online, now that's a blast. Kilik and Mitsurugi one-button mashers who "fight online just to win". Not what I'd call a fun time.

  • Kryon #86 4 years ago

    @NegativeZero

    Then again, the fact that I'm wired up wrong and find huge flabby fat-sack boobs to be a major turn-off probably doesn't help.

    To be fair, there is a half naked pirate and Voldo in his SM gear for guys who like teh gheyness. So you've been catered for quite generously I'd say ;)

    @Richard Leadbetter

    Firstly I'd like to say, great review, a real pleasure to read but I really don't like the idea that certain games seem to get marked down for lack of 'innovation'. I mean,, the review was basically shining, your only gripe seemed to be that (game play-wise) little has changed, the thing is, I seriously reckon the average SC fan would tell you that this is a good thing. No need to fix it if it's not broken and all that jazz. Just look what happened with FFXII! They tried to be 'innovative' with that and completely ruined what could have been a great game but because of said (awful) innovation, EG gave the game a totally ludicrous and undeserved 10/10! Anyway, reading the words of your review, rather than just going by the number at the bottom, I know this game will be 10/10 for me (and many others) so I'm still happy and all is good :)

    Edited by 1 at 31/07/08 @ 07:30

  • Zomoniac #87 4 years ago

    usual CG intro

    So no real-time intro editor like the first one then? :(

  • DAN.E.B #88 4 years ago

    i hope you can still change the dialog to japanese as the voice acting is terrible
    streetfighter 4 needs it too
    i also hope i can change maxis elvis quif
    its a must buy for me either way.

  • viper_h #89 4 years ago

    So Mitsurugi's a "one button masher" character is he?


    I know for a fact I'd thrash your ass with him every day of the week using proper moves.

  • pikemon #90 4 years ago

    It would be awesome if they added a way to throw characters floating mid-air. I would launch Yoda into air with an upwards slash and grab him while he's falling down for a nice combo.
    Edited by 1 at 31/07/08 @ 09:38

  • Zuiyo #91 4 years ago

    "VF5 IS the toughest fighting game to get into, but that is because it is the most balanced, most technical, and most demanding fighting game there is."

    I love VF5, but you're wrong.

    The most balanced, it could be. But most technical and demanding is SFIII Third Strike.

  • Zomoniac #92 4 years ago

    But SC renders SF and VF utterly pointless anyway so why the debate. Any game where up = jump is wrong.

  • pikemon #93 4 years ago

    NegativeZero: I think SC2 was visually the most "stylish" installment in the series. Too bad it was also a step backwards in terms of competitive gameplay.

  • bloodflowers #94 4 years ago

    I still can't decide which version to get :(

    The decision has come down to XBL vs d-pad.

  • Santino #95 4 years ago

    @Zuiyo

    yeah i forgot to mention i was talking about 3d fighting games as i consider 2d fighting too different to really compare properly.

    "Any game where up = jump is wrong."

    you should probably have checked your facts with this statement regarding VF before you brought it up as it isn't true. up sidesteps or triggers defensive move when done at the right time.
    Edited by 1 at 31/07/08 @ 11:04

  • Zomoniac #96 4 years ago

    you should probably have checked your facts with this statement regarding VF before you brought it up as it isn't true. up sidesteps or triggers defensive move when done at the right time.

    I played 5 on PS3 very briefly before getting very bored, could've sworn up was jump. It certainly was in 1, 2 and 3 and I didn't think they'd have changed the 'magic hardcore formula'.

  • Santino #97 4 years ago

    you can only jump if u attack at the same time, has pretty limited use as it should.

    perhaps you shouldn't mash buttons, i presume you probably were as i can't imagine how u could otherwise fail to grasp how to move in the 'up' direction, a simple move requiring no buttons.

  • Darren #98 4 years ago

    Having briefly played the game this morning in Story mode using Yoda, I can say this game looks jaw-droppingly gorgeous, is slickly presented and plays extremely well. The revamped Story mode which has you fighting five opponents one directly after the other (this caught me out!) in the same stage makes it feels a bit different from the previous games and the linking cutscenes are all very well done even if they don't make much sense narratively. You unlock stuff as you play (not sure what Style levelling up is though) so that certainly adds to the addiction as it did with the previous games. With fighting games tending to be fairly shallow, earning rewards is what keeps me playing them for hours on end. Looking forward to checking out the rest of the game's single player modes later on.

    Oh and loading times are around 5 seconds between stages in the 360 version so I'm not sure that there's any real need to install the game to the HDD on the 360 come autumn when we get the new dashboard. PS3 Fanboy's comments on the PS3 version suggest that it takes 30 seconds to load stages without the HDD install and less than 10 with but I can't vouch for that as I've not got that version of the game.

  • miiiguel #99 4 years ago

    "And don't act like you are some type of expert on fighters, none of you bought Virtua fighter 5. None of you are worthy of licking the boots of VF5"
    er... I did. I also completed 100% of VF5. But I don't claim I'm expert on fighters, I'm just very good at VF. Only VF.

  • miiiguel #100 4 years ago

    yeah..., I have this crush on VF which I can't realy explain why. Not a particular big fan of all fighting games but I'm crazy for VF. I probably overstated the fact of beeing very good, Japanese kids oftenly beat me online. ;)

    I did complete the whole VF5 though, +2000 fights.
    Edited by 1 at 31/07/08 @ 13:11

  • warbo #101 4 years ago

    The 1up review might be a little misleading then. With the ~2-3GB HDD install on PS3, load times are about the same in both versions. Without it, they're a bit longer on PS3.

    Also, the 360 verion looks a tad smoother because it runs at a higher resolution. Its ~1365x960 on 360, and 1280x720 on PS3. Neither version has AA.

    Flicking between these comparison images, there are fewer jaggies and slightly sharper textures on 360 as a result of downscaling to 720p. The difference is very slight though.

    360
    PS3

    More here: http://d.h atena.ne.jp/yoda-dip-jp/20080731#1217490078
    Edited by 1 at 31/07/08 @ 13:43

  • warbo #102 4 years ago

    Load times in seconds from that SC4 comparison:

    _______________________360__PS3 not installed__ PS3 installed
    SIEGFRIED vs NIGHTMARE _12 __16______________10
    XIANGHUA vs IVY _________ 8 __16______________10
    HILDE vs TIRA____________ 8 __18______________10

    It seems that load times are quite a bit longer on PS3 without the install, and very similar with the install.

  • Skywise #103 4 years ago

    So the PS3 has a slight edge here then, because you get Vader instead of Yoda, and you can always choose NOT to download Yoda later on ;-)

    If only they could make an option to go into a lobby with people who are not playing Star Wars characters, that'd be even greater.
    Since my cousins absolutely hate Yoda, I will be using him a lot against them however :D

    Anyway, this is a great time to be a 360 or PS3 owner. I hope the online fights will have about the same amount of lag as Smash Bros Brawl, that was very playable on most games for me.

  • Darren #104 4 years ago

    @warbo - Those figures really do highlight how slow the PS3's BD drive is compared to the 360's DVD drive. A difference of 2 seconds is hardly worth shouting about and, in fact, the 360's DVD drive beats the installed PS3 version by those 2 seconds in two of the tests!!! LOL

    It'll be interesting to see if loading times are reduced on the 360 after the autumn dashboard update as we'll have the option to do HDD installs. I reckon people will only see a couple of seconds difference at most but it could be more useful where the game constantly accesses the disc, e.g. the ingame menus in Devil May Cry 4 and Oblivion.

  • Darren #105 4 years ago

    @warbo - Those comparison shots are interesting but what makes you think the 360 version doesn't have any AA? If you look at the 4X zoomed in shots on that link you posted you can clearly see that the 360 does have some anti-aliasing but the PS3 doesn't... or maybe it's a result of superior downsampling. In fact, the "AA "on the 360 version makes the game look softer but I prefer that to the more jaggy-edged sharper looking PS3 version. Certainly my playthrough of the Story mode with Yoda in the 360 version didn't reveal a horribly jaggy looking game as you'd expect from a title that doesn't use AA. I mean this is definitely no Halo 3 or PS3 GTA IV!!! LOL

  • miiiguel #106 4 years ago

    One more Halo bashing comment and I wont log in to EG ever again.

    Bah!

  • Pulsar_t #107 4 years ago

    I'm glad popularity of this genre is falling because the way it handles women is disgusting. What are they going to pull for SC5? The chicks are already physically pumped to the limit of what's humanly possible (and still be able to move at all). Simply a disgrace.

  • Enzeru #108 4 years ago

    @viper_h

    I bet you would tough guy, but what I was saying is that people on Live use one or two moves constantly with him, I didn't say you can't use him properly. Don't get so worked up.

  • 1Dgaf #109 4 years ago

    @Pulsar

    Yeah, I agree. The way it deals with men is dreadful too. Young, attractive, muscular. Some of them are even tall. Most of them have hair!

    Fuck them, man. Fuck them all. Where's the love for the average man?

  • Zomoniac #110 4 years ago

    Having played for about 20 minutes now I can confirm that a) you can change the voiceovers to Japanese, and b) it's fucking brilliant.

  • Execta #111 4 years ago

    Soulcalibur IV rules. My brother bought it today when it was released and this game just rocks! Awesome!

  • Kovacs77 #112 4 years ago

    this is shite online. lag, button bashing and more lag.

  • cyber_nicco #113 4 years ago

    Proof, finally, that the PS3 is the console of the "Dark Side"...

  • Skywise #114 4 years ago

    Something to add for the people with small old tv's: the text and icons are really small and it is hard to make out the special properties of the weapons. The game looks very nice though and plays just a little slower than before it seems. I like it a lot already

  • Buran #115 4 years ago

    I agree with Nick_JC1: Eurogamer review of the game is as bland and dull as any other from this game in the whole world wide web. I really doubt that when the reviewers are talking about concepts as "deept of gameplay" or "just frames" they understand anything about his own words.

    Soul Calibur IV is great. Is like a SC III remake with better balance between characters and very improved graphis, plus semi-decent online. Not a "10" but easily the best fighting game around.

    Much better than SSBB or DOA, and more widely enjoyable than Tekken 5DR or VF5. I'm like a bit more the Tekken series, but if all my friends likes more the Soul saga there's nothing bad about this, and I enjoy all SC games to date. But the review is still lame: aside for the jar-jar-mydichlorians assault, the game is easily the best fighting game in the actual generation of consoles, and deserves a lot more than a prure crap tha in this turbulent times a shitty "8" means. But is not weird, because is writed by a reviewer that probably hasn't done an EWGF is his life.

    Excuse my english, I expect that at least the concept behind my words to be clear.
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 00:56

  • Skywise #116 4 years ago

    @Buran: what is an EWGF? I'm not a native English speaker.

    I agree with your description of the game and I find Hilde is making up for Yoda :-)

  • Zomoniac #117 4 years ago

    Electric Wind God Fist. It's a move for Kazuya in Tekken. It's a punch in which lightening comes out of his arms. It's not actually all that powerful, but if timed right you can keep them in the air by doing it repeatedly as they fall. There are videos on YouTube of people chaining 15 in a row, taking someone's life bar from full to empty without their feet even touching the ground.

  • warbo #118 4 years ago

    @Darren

    There's no AA applied at 1365x960, but downscaling 1365x960 to 1280x720 = SSAA.
    Edited by 1 at 01/08/08 @ 12:19

  • Skywise #119 4 years ago

    @Zomoniac, thanks for the reply. Kazuya was one of my favourite Tekken characters but this combo is new to me.

    Btw, I feel like they missed a chance with the Star Wars characters. I'd love to beat up Jarr Jarr Binks!

  • Buran #120 4 years ago

    @Skywise: EWGF or "Electric Wind GodFist" is the just frame version of the Wind GodFist (f,N,d/f+2 or f,N,d~d/f+2) from Kazuya Mishima in Tekken. Is esentially a more faster version of the WGF which also is safe on block. Since is also a juggle starter, EWGF is one of the best punishing moves in the game and give time to deploy much powerfull juggles than the "normal" WGF . Other Mishimas as Heihachi, Jin and DJ have alse their respective EWGF.

    [link url=http://tekkenzaibatsu.com/forums/showthread.php?t hreadid=105924
    ]http://te kkenzaibatsu.com/forums/showthr...[/link]

    But EWGF is not overpowered because demands a lot of skill and training to do it consistently, the only way to take full advantage from Kazuya's juggles potential. I'm not talking about this move because his power but because the skill requirements. Usually the fighting games reviews are done by "casual" players. It would be much more interesting to see here some words about the smaller window to Guard Impacts, the changes in the stepping system, the absence of the Soul Charge or Leaping Attacks, the nerfing in the overall damage from the characters, the lesser effectiveness of the ring out attacks, etc... Instead the typical comments about the size of the breast or the SW guest characters. A review oriented to hardcore players.

    Eurogamer and some other webs don't will gain my respect scoring low some long awaited games, but talking deept about his gameplay roots and so.

  • Dismiss #121 4 years ago

    I'm reading this on my PS3, after my first, mammoth session with the game. First off, regarding fighting games, there's only so much you can do. These games are designed for competitive play, with the solo elements being just something to do between 2P matches. What really matters in this respect, is the balance between the characters, as well as the variety of playing styles on offer, the fun that can be derived while experimenting with the new characters, and the depth of the fighting system. AFTER a team gets all those things right, then and only then should they start fiddling with stuff like character creation and 1P modes.

    Sadly, while the Eurogamer review is well-written, it doesn't touch upon the things that really matter. Some genres, especially those that are traditionally "hardcore", can only be appreciated by devotees of the genre. Goes without saying that a review in a mainstream site should take into account all kinds of gamers, it's just that as it is, it's pretty much worthless to anyone bar the most casual dabbler in the genre, and that's me being overly generous. It's fine trying to come up with a review earlier than most, I would just like to see some more substance in there. Please take your time when reviewing games, what really matters is the opinion itself, not how quickly you can get a review up.

    Now that this mini rant is over, I can say that I agree with the score, but not with the arguments that support it.

  • espibara #122 4 years ago

    WHERE THE FUCK IS TEAM BATTLE MODE?????????????

    It was in Soul calibur 1, 2 and 3.

    SO where the fuck is it now?

    If Namco charge me via downloadable content for something that should be in the game in the first place then I'm gonna fire bomb the fuckers for ripping me off.

    RANT OVER.

  • TASTYRYAN #123 4 years ago

    i'm very disappointed with soulcalibur IV, high value of eye candy but the gameplay has is too slow.