Soul Calibur V

How can a series keep evolving as the sequels pile up? Soul Calibur 4 saw the weapon based fighting game series packed so completely full of features and characters it seemed there was nowhere left to expand. Instead, Soulcalibur 5 strips things down and streamlines the gameplay, resulting in the best game in the series, and a strong contender for the best 3D fighting game around.

The Soul Calibur games have always been built on rock solid fundamentals. Movement across the arena is in full 3D, while the four face buttons correspond to a block, a kick, a horizontal and a vertical attack. Combinations of these (or shoulder button shortcuts) give special moves and grabs. It is an elegant system, and easily picked up.

Rather than feeling defeat came because you hadn’t learnt the button inputs or split-second timing required for a combo attack, mistakes are more likely tactical, and this provides a satisfying incentive to keep playing and improve your game. A block instead of a sidestep, or a duck to avoid the opponents grab – the system is clear enough that fights become a battle of wits rather than memorising obtuse inputs.

New for Soul Calibur 5 is a heavily Street Fighter 4 inspired special meter. Built up throughout a fight, it can be used to unleash a highly damaging special move, or, at half the cost, perform a special parry on opponent’s attacks, leaving them momentarily defenceless. These can tip the flow of battle between players, but must be timed well to be effective, and act as a nuanced addition to your arsenal rather than a game-breaking overpowered move.

Visually the game remains excellent, and though Soul Calibur 4 has not been much improved upon, it is quicker and smoother. Attacks flow together beautifully, and the signature neon weapon trails mix with sparks and flames to create a spectacular light show. From samurai swords and nunchuks to giant axes and staffs, all of the fighting styles are extremely well animated, and it’s rare that a fight doesn’t end up looking, well, awesome.

And it’s just as well that the core fighting is so strong, because in almost every other respect, this is a step backwards for the Soul Calibur series. The diminished character roster fortunately loses the unbalanced Star Wars cross-overs from 4 (this time round the cameo is Ezio from Assassin’s Creed, a far more natural fit), but also cuts several Soul Calibur characters, and whole weapon styles with them. Even some of the series favourites are gone, replaced with more annoying, younger and bizarrely race-changed offspring. New characters go some way in adding novel fighting styles, but lack the distinctive flair of the original cast.

A short and disappointing story mode is almost entirely told around two new characters, and somehow manages to have them act as every major Japanese game cliché at some point in the plot.

Arcade mode is pared back, with no individual character endings, while ‘Legendary Souls’ mode is effectively the same but against incredibly difficult computer opponents. Single player is rounded off with a quick battle mode that mimics choosing players online, and at least displays a wide range of custom character outfits. It’s not that the single player is bad, or that you won’t return to play it, but it is hard to not feel slightly cheated after the epic quests and novel challenge levels of previous titles in the series.

The heart of a fighting game will always be multiplayer though. A team battle mode is missed, but otherwise there is little to find fault with. Online fights are the most reliable and lag free of any fighting game I have played, and across the ranked battles and two more casual modes, you can quickly find opponents to suit your mood. Further longevity is provided by a frequently hilarious custom character creator, which provides many surprises as you unlock costume items, and is an excellent way to humiliate friends.

Overall, Soul Calibur 5 is simple enough to grasp, and provides such satisfying feedback, that beginners can enjoy it straight away, while extended play reveals enough subtlety and depth to keep players returning. The lack of many embellishments expected of the series is something of a disappointment, but the gameplay is stronger than ever. Highly recommended for any fighting game fans.