Review: SoulCalibur
Jul. 3
Ports of gaming classics can be a mixed bag. Sometimes a title will show its age and the fondness we once had for it dissipates. But every now and then a classic game becomes available and you just need to buy it, no questions asked. Such is the case with SoulCalibur, now out on XBLA. When one of the greatest fighting games ever is there for the taking you grab it, even if it doesn't quite match its former glory. The original SoulCalibur was a stand up arcade title that became a huge hit once it was ported to the SEGA Dreamcast. It featured armed warriors battling it out in one-on-one combat. The game's unique characters, easy to learn yet difficult to master controls, and 3D graphics made SoulCalibur not only one of the best selling games ever, but one of the most popular.
Gamers will be pleased to see that almost everything they loved about the Dreamcast version has been ported to the 360, with a few new tweaks thrown in. Nineteen great fighters, all unlocked from the start, are available to master. Leaderboards track your success with different characters, and there are a wide variety of modes, offering some nice replay value. The game presentation is solid, with souped up graphics and music and voiceover work that'll make you think your back in 1999 (when gas was under $2/gallon). Its perfect! Almost.
For some strange reason one of the best features of the original game, Mission Mode, is absent. Even more disappointing is the lack of any online versus mode. Sure I can thump my brother in 2-player offline whenever he comes over, but fighting games are perfect for multi-player. Unfortunately Namco Bandai had some issues with Microsoft's XBLA size limits while developing the game, preventing it from including some features. Those restrictions have since been lifted so hopefully an update will make things right.
Despite these issues this is still an excellent title. SoulCalibur on Xbox LIVE Arcade has plenty to offer and is a great way to prepare yourself for SoulCalibur IV.
Pros: One of the greatest games of all time is finally downloadable
Cons: The lack of multi-player is a big disappointment
Fun Factor: 4.25 -- Graphics: 4.0, Sound: 3.75, Controls: 4.5
The Info: Platform: XBLA, Publisher: Namco Bandai, Developer: Namco Bandai, ESRB: T (Teen), Players: 1-2, Price: 800 MS Points ($10)
Andrew Ramsey (19)
Ian Guss (18)
Tae Kim (1)
Will Herring (41)
Comments
I'm still more fond of Soul Blade over Soul Calibur. I like earning new weapons in it's edge master mode over just earning new arenas and artwork in SC.
That's not to say that I don't like SC, because it's still an awesome game, but SB stands in my head as my favorite game in the Souls Blade/Soul Calibur series. Perhaps it's because I played it before SC.
I agree with you on the weapons vs artwork. I'd rather earn more weapons but I'm the opposite of you, I played SC first so I prefer it to SB...although both are great
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