Soul Calibur Review (Shin Force: Games: Reviews: Sega Dreamcast)

Soul Calibur

Reviewed
08.09.1999
Publisher
Namco
Developer
Namco
Format
GD
Origin
Import/Domestic
Available
Aug 3, 1999 (Japan)
Sep 9, 1999 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
Floating Side
Genre
Fighter
Players
1-2 Players
Options
Arcade Stick
Backup 12
Internet
Rumble
VGA
Requires
n/a
Importable
99%

INTRO:

> Namco... their roots go all the way back to Pac-Man. They gave us the great Rolling Thunder series for Genesis. They ported the polygon crunching Star Blade to Sega CD. Now, on the verge of a new millennium, they not only ported Soul Calibur (SC) from the arcade to Dreamcast, but they enhanced it so much it could almost be labeled a sequel -- or a new game!

> Soul Calibur is a two player fighter of the 3D kind. Movement is mostly side to side, but 3D sidestepping is included. It's not as "free" roaming as say... Capcom's excellent Power Stone, but it makes up for that with graphics, moves and sound...

> The import version of this game is almost entirely in English. The menus, intro screens, game screens, and voices are English. The only parts (of consequence) that are in Japanese are the mission descriptions of the Mission Battle mode.

GRAPHICS:

> Pure, smooth animation... high polygon count 3D realism... color, lighting, shadows, reflections, transparency, and much more... I don't want to over-hype the visuals in this game so I'll just say it's the best looking fighter I've seen to date -- it'll probably stay that way until Dead or Alive 2 or Virtua Fighter 4 arrives.

> The characters are huge with waving hair, blinking eyes and beautifully synchronized lip movements. The backdrops are 3D, animated and quite varied to include: castle, moving raft (really cool), ship yard, dragon's lair, etc... About the only thing I've seen so far that wasn't impressive is the splash that's created when you ring-out into the water.

> When I heard that Namco was upgrading the women's animation over the arcade original to include bouncing effects, I was even more hyped for SC to arrive. Unfortunately, these effects are subdued compared to the king of bounce... Dead or Alive... and soon Dead or Alive 2. That's OK though, at least they added it.

CONTROL:

> The control is tight and feels decent with the standard controller. The buttons are sword 1, sword 2, kick, and block. There are lots of special moves including throws, long range hits, knock down hits, etc. which can be pulled off with button combinations. You can also string together some combos, but there is no combo counter. Bottom line... very good!

SOUND:

> The music and effects volume can be independently altered to suit your taste. The songs are mainly pop rock and match the on screen action well.

> The sound effects are very good including realistic foot steps, splashes and swords clashing. As mentioned before, the digitized voices in the game are entirely in English -- and they sound sweet too.

FUN:

> Ivy is the babe, man! All ten immediately selectable characters have varied moves, animation and costumes. Choose from Arcade, Vs. Battle, Team Battle (up to 8 vs. 8 -- one at a time), Time Attack, Survival, Museum (watch), Practice, and Mission Battle modes! In the Mission Battle mode you can unlock extras like artwork by completing its levels. All that plus hidden characters and great Versus action and you have the second best fighter on the Uberconsole (IMO)...

BOTTOM LINE:
> Namco has done what few have done before... They brought home Soul Calibur in such awesome fashion, that it makes the original look and play like an entirely different game. Personally, I prefer the gameplay of Virtua Fighter 3tb, but Soul Calibur's graphics are unparalleled anywhere!!!
Overall: 9.8 | Graphics: 10 | Control: 9.7 | Sound: 9.8 | Fun: 9.5 ~ Shinobi ~