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PreviousSoulCalibur IV Review
Xbox 360 PlayStation 3 Review by Richard Leadbetter
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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.
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.
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Latest Videos
SoulCalibur IV - Characters [2] 24 October, 2008
SoulCalibur IV - Face-off [3] 26 September, 2008
Latest News
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Vader/Yoda DLC for Soulcalibur IV [55]
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Soulcalibur IV demo on Xbox Live [29]
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UK charts: Soulcalibur IV fighting fit [46]
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Soulcalibur IV pre-order deals unveiled [17]
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No bare bums or boobs in Soulcalibur IV [64]
Latest Screenshots
14 July, 2008 [72]
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Der_tolle_Emil
30/07/08 @ 13:06
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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.
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"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. |
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Hugh.G.Rection
30/07/08 @ 13:11
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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. |
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JohnnyWashnGo
30/07/08 @ 13:13
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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. |
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kangarootoo
30/07/08 @ 13:14
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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.
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"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? |
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farticusmaximus
30/07/08 @ 13:17
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All kinds of awesome, in a bag, smothered in lashings of juicy juicy W-I-N!!
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. Even got Friday off work so I'm gonna have me some sore thumbs and tired grin muscles by the end of the week. EDIT: I liked Necrid too, awesome fast knockdown punch and once that virtual axe thing gets swinging it's real difficult to find a way past it. EDIT EDIT: I believe Necrid was only tagging along on the Spawn license so I wouldnt expect to see him again.
Edited 2 times,
most recently on 30/07/08 @ 14:22
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frostcircus
30/07/08 @ 13:20
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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. |
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asphaltcowboy
30/07/08 @ 13:23
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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! |
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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 |
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farticusmaximus
30/07/08 @ 13:33
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@Darren
I was referring to the fact that so many next gen games have let us down severely in the fps department. There are precious few true solid 60fps games available for the current HD consoles. |
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monkie_king
30/07/08 @ 13:37
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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.
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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 1 times,
most recently on 30/07/08 @ 14:38
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SeesThroughAll
30/07/08 @ 13:43
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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).
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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 2 times,
most recently on 30/07/08 @ 15:06
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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
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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). |
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@locus: 1up reviewed both games and said that whilst neither character was particularly interesting, Vader was a lumbering, boring character, whilst yoda was much more fun to play. Perhaps that helps your decision.
"The Xbox 360 version's advantage rests with its exclusive guest Star Wars character, Yoda. The PS3 version is saddled with Darth Vader, but Yoda is the better character of the two, as he's sprightly and nimble, as opposed to the slow and lumbering Vader."
Edited 1 times,
most recently on 30/07/08 @ 15:32
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"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. |
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FladgeMangle
30/07/08 @ 14:43
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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. |
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twinberettas
30/07/08 @ 14:53
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IMHO Soul Calibur feels designed for console pads (lol @ whoever said analog sticks mimic arcade sticks), at least the first three anyway, haven't played 4. But yeah, surely you people should already have arcade sticks if you're planning on getting this? I mean, VF5 has been out for quite a while and there's a bunch of decent downloadable fighters too. And Mortal Kombat...
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michaelius
30/07/08 @ 14:53
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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. |
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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 1 times,
most recently on 30/07/08 @ 16:00
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