Xbox 360
This is the year that fighting games make a glorious comeback. With a flurry of sword swipes, hadokens and several applications of boot to face, it seems all the big players in the beat-em-up genre are upping the ante. Leading the charge is the latest Soul Calibur.
The story is set in the middle ages, where fighters from across the world and different walks of life come together in combat to claim or destroy Soul Edge, a legendary demon sword of unspeakable power. This is a massive title, boasting a wealth of fighting styles, modes and unlockable content.
There are several ways to play: arcade mode puts you up against several foes in simple one-on-one combat, whereas short story mode presents increasing challenges while revealing your character’s back story.
Tower of Souls is a new mode that sees you fighting your way up a massive, 30-floor tower. Each stage presents powerful enemies and hidden loot, and holds a hidden objective hinted at in the pre-text. Meeting the objective unlocks extras for the main game.
As a result of the strict rules enforced in this mode, all aspects of fighting style are tested. Nullifying ring-outs or unblockable attacks are prohibited, so button-bashers beware, your spawny tactics are of no use here!
Luckily, you'll find a character who fits your style perfectly, thanks to the massive player roster. The dainty and stupidly fast Xianghua, for example, is perfect for those who like to run circles around their opponents, whereas the slower, more aggressive Asteroth is ideal for players who like to roll right over enemies.
However, for those who like to bring a personal flair to the arena, create your own player using the hundreds of accessories and attributes to kit out your own fighter. You can easily spend hours just perusing the options.
Another neat move from the developer is a new punishment for players who are too fond of the block button. Guard against too many high attacks and suffer a "Soul Crush", shattering the middle-armour and rendering your torso defenseless.
This isn't to say the game punishes conservative play, it just encourages you to get stuck right into the fight, the way any good scrap should be.
And then? Well this is a matter of preference, but depending on which version you own, you can play as Star Wars characters Yoda (360 version) or Darth Vader (PS3 version). Some will love the inclusion, others will think it's daft. This odd addition aside, the game is near flawless, minus some rare, crippling lag during online versus mode. As the cheesy fight commentator says, "the legend will never die" — True that!