Delightfully Overwhelming (Soul Calibur (DC))

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Product:	Soul Calibur (DC)
Date:	12/07/01 (176 review reads)
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Advantages: Incredible everything:, Arenas, sounds, characters, controls, moves, price, modes and graphics!, It's just a fantastically playable game.

Disadvantages: Nothing has come close until the sequel, which will hopefully be better, if that's possible?!

For me, the Dreamcast is a fantastic console, and has probably got the best range of quality titles for the money you pay – everything is a lot less expensive than the PlayStation 2, but in my view the range of games is better and so is the quality. One such title, which will undoubtedly get Tekken fans in a heated fuss, is the “other” mighty Namco fighting machine – Soul Calibur!I have never before playing this game, and indeed to this day, played anything so fresh, so fast and so fantastically well created. The graphics alone will blow your mind, but take your position on the sofa or armchair and let your virtual prowess be unleashed in almighty medieval fighting mayhem. Soul Calibur is a class act, it’s the besting fighting game around and at such a bargain price you would be classed as insane, possibly.

As far as gameplay goes, nothing much comes close to Namco’s Dreamcast classic. Based on the PlayStation title ‘Soul Blade’, Namco certainly don’t con you with their sequels, this game is definitely the best fighting game on any console, with only Tekken 4 (not yet released), Virtua Fighter 4 and the eagerly awaited Soul Calibur 2 standing any chance of taking the crown away. A superb control system – you don’t need me to tell you the moves, it’s easy to work out – the word ‘intuitive’ could not be better used to describe a game, as you’ll feel right at home from the very start. More complex moves and combos will take a lot of practice, but you’ll become aware that each character can perform more than just a kick or punch or grab – there’s some truly electrifying movements that take place, be prepared to be amazed.

Ok, if you own SC, you should really give it a couple of hours – have some tournaments with a few mates, it’ll still enthral, just like it did on release, way back on November of 1999. So, how can a two-year o
ld (almost) game still be the best fighter, graphically and in gameplay? Well, there hasn’t exactly been an onslaught of top fighting titles out recently, with the only next generation console still classified as alive being the PlayStation 2, we’ve only seen the relatively mediocre nothingness of Tekken Tag and Tecmo’s Dead or Alive 2 making any sort of attempt to become genre leader. We await the X-Box and Game Cube in delirious anticipation…

It’s not all about polygons though, and yes Soul Calibur is the most visually spectacular fighting game out there, with some incredible lighting effects and fluid character animation, but it’s about more than just looks. With a 2 player versus mode & Team Battle mode ensuring for multiplayer rivalry, we’ve also been given the standard arcade mode – complete to unlock different characters, a time attack mode – simply beat as many AI opponents in as little time as virtually possible, the survival mode – one fighter, one objective: beat as many people as you can, whilst keeping your life gauge above zero, I’ve managed a survival total of around 75 wins, not too bad I suppose! Extra Survival mode will be unlocked – this is where you have to win as many fights as possible, where the first blow to the body kills the opponent, so you’ll either get really farm or nowhere at all (tip, choose a character with a long weapon). And then there’s the main one player mode, mission mode.

Soul Calibur is set in medieval times – it’s home to spectacular arenas, music and also has a rarity known as a storyline. Yep! Soul Calibur could actually make you feel proud, as you complete certain challenges and levels – especially at the end of the arcade mode, you’ll be treated to a brief story of that character. Just a chance for the Namco artists to show off really! Anyway, the mission mode is probably the one that’ll ha
ve you coming back for more, time and time again until it’s completion. As you make your way through all the challenges and levels, earning you money in order to unlock the art cards, you’ll be tested even further as the difficulty increases. Each challenge has a difficulty level from 1 to 5 stars, so you’ll know how good you have to be.

Character wise, there are 10 to choose from at the start, with 9 waiting to be unlocked as you complete the arcade level with each player. Hint – if you still cannot access the boss Inferno, then complete arcade mode with Xianghwa in her 3rd costume. Everyone has their unique style of fighting – Astoroth is a huge beast like creature with incredible strength and reach: large axe moves and body blows are his speciality, with Nightmare being the guardian of the fabled Soul Edge sword – probably the most powerful player. Ivy has the most intelligent weapon, but if you want the best all rounder then go for either Kilik or Mitsurugi. Inferno is the most impressive looking - after all he is the boss – a firry human shaped constructions of flames. Amazing. Obviously, each to their own, you’ll find the fighter that will suit your style.

The arenas are also spectacular with every single one meticulously designed to the very last detail – Dojo buildings in the background, ships, water caves, everything is possible in virtual reality – Soul Calibur is one very plush looking virtual world of fighting.

It sounds good too, with some authentic music and an excellent power-boom voice starting up before the fighting. Take the best fighting game you’ve ever played (if for some reason it isn’t Soul Calibur), speed it up, drape with gold and silver and add some unbelievable lighting effects and movements, you’ll come close to Soul Calibur. Everything you ever wanted, and a whole lot more. 10/10, 100%, a faultless game – clear of any bugs, g
litches or pop up. This is the benchmark in 128bit fighting, and you owe it to yourself to play such a delightful game.


Sulzeer

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