Eyes are the windows to the soul, especially when they’ve been gouged out.
What’s it about?
For decades, the fighting genre of video games has been letting gamers take out their real world angst on virtual opponents in deathmatches that bring the brutality of brawling to your living room. Since 1998, Soul Calibur has been a force to be reckoned with in the category, known for its fluid style, guest cameo characters and weapone-focused combat. Soul Calibur 5 is the latest entry into the series and ups the ante with bigger combos, smoother animations and a deeper scope than a German U-boat.
How does it look?
SC5 takes its graphical prowess seriously and displays it front and center with sweeping pre-fight overviews of levels, matchup screens and character design. Say what you will about other fighting games, it’s undeniable that this Soul Calibur is a beauty...even if they did scale back some of the...errrr...assets of the female characters. What you’ll also notice right off the bat is the fluidity that SC5 brings to character animations. The new upgraded combos also fall in line with the overall feel of the game, rewarding your speedy thumb skills with massive attacks that almost qualify as cut scenes. The simpler, fast, hand-to-hand combat is seamless and even clunkier moves with weapons still feel as smooth as those silk boxers your girl bought you for Arbor Day.
Is it any good?
When it comes to the Fighter genre, you’re not going to find too much deviation. The entire category has seen a renaissance that blends the classic 2D, full frontal combat of yore with graphics and uber-combos of more recent titles. Your choice of series really boils down to a matter of nostalgia for characters like Ryu or Chun Li in Street Fighter or the more gimmicky guest appearances of Soul Calibur. Luckily, SC5 tapped Ezio of Assassin’s Creed fame, a thoughtful cameo choice whose incredible arsenal of weapons and swift fighting style translate well to SC5’s universe. It’s undeniable that gamers like fighting as Ezio and girls, like our very own April Rose, swoon over his rugged Italianicity but, really, any dude toting a hidden wristblade is aces in our book.
Out of ten?
8 - We’re all for a bigger, badder brawler and Soul Calibur 5 does a good, but not great, job of amplifying our favorite aspects of the series this time around.
If I like this, what else will I like?
Super Duper Street Fighter HD Maximum Hardcore....or whatever the hell they’re calling it now, putting our differences aside and just dancing it out