SoulCalibur V Review (Xbox 360)

It’s time to step back onto the stage of history, as one of the industries most iconic fighting games steps back into the spotlight. Dating as far back as the dreamcast, the SoulCalibur series has survived multiple console generations and with the addition of SoulCalibur V, it’s safe to say the series won’t be slowing down anytime soon.

SoulCalibur V brings a jam packed roster of new and old faces to the table. In total the game adds five new characters to its roster (six if you count the swift bladed guest fighter), each bringing their own unique fighting style to game. Unfortunately the addition of these new characters doesn’t come without a trade-off, as long-running characters like Taki and Sophitia seem to have stepped off the stage. Whilst this is a shame and will no doubt go down foggy with long-time fans, I think it’s safe to say that the new characters more than make up for the games losses, as they add a fresh feel to the game.

Alongside the games resident characters, there’s also the traditional guest character slot. In the past we’ve seen the likes of Darth Vader, Yoda, Kratos and Link fill this slot, so it’s safe to say that SoulCalibur V had some pretty big boots to fill. Fortunately, Namco Bandai took this challenge and accepted it with ease, enlisting the likes of Ezio Auditore to put all past guest characters to shame. Ezio fits in perfectly with the games roster, boasting a range of slick assassin moves that give homage to the Assassin’s Creed series. There are even a few Ezio specific achievements in the game, encouraging players to take to the fight as the master assassin himself.

There’s even something in the game for players that want their own thing, as SoulCalibur V sees the return of the character creation tool. Whilst it has nothing on the likes of Saints Row, the latest build is still pretty robust, allowing for some unique creations. I mean.. What’s to hate about a tool that lets you select female breast size!? Furthermore, with Namco Bandai already confirming character creation DLC, it’s safe to say that this will be one of the main successes for SoulCalibur V.

Depending on how skilled you are with a controller, SoulCalibur V’s gameplay will either be a walk in the park , or a button mashing nightmare. Every character has their own unique skill-set, which tends to range from simple 3 button moves, to slightly more complex combo chains. Whilst the complex side of this won’t really affect your gameplay experience, it’s safe to say it will cause a bit of stress – especially when players start targeting the achievements that demand 50 of those moves.

Lasting a few hours at most, the story is definitely the best place to start, especially if you’re new to SoulCalibur games. The story caters well for new players with its steady learning curve, which see’s you fighting against poor guards, who probably didn’t know what was about to hit them. If anything, this easy introduction will make you feel like a proper bad ass, creating the illusion that you’ve instantly mastered the title. Unfortunately, as I learn, this isn’t the case. The game will stick a pin in your inflated head rather fast, as starts to steadily introduce you to the games roster through it’s unravelling tale.

The story follows the games newest characters, Patroklos and Pyrrha, who also happen to be the children of series veteran Sophitia.  This minimal character focus is a great one, as you’re not forced to re-adjust to a new character every 3 fights. Infact, across the whole story, you’ll only find yourself using three of the games new additions, which provides a smooth experience throughout the game.

Alongside the story, the game also boasts a range of other offline features, such as its infamous arcade mode. The arcade mode in Soul Calibur V is far more defined than previous releases, allowing for variation in difficulty and style. There are several arcade ‘routes’ for players to choose from, each themed around a continent from the game. These routes add a bit more variation to the traditional arcade setting, allowing for a lot more replayability. If anything, the only failing in arcade mode is the absense of an end movie for each character… I was a little disappointed when I didn’t get to see some story behind Ezio’s appearance..

The games offline mode also features a ‘quick battle’ option, which allows you take on a ranked custom build character. If anything, this mode is a massive show and tell for the games character creation mode, showcasing everything that you can make in your free time. Every time you defeat a player in quick battle, you’ll be awarded a player title for use on your personal player profile. These titles are oddly great, adding a level of replayability, especially if you’re a collectaholic like me.

Last, but definitely not least are the games online features. The great thing about online play is that you don’t need friends! Friends that own the game that is.. Having friends in your life is pretty important.. Anyway, SoulCalibur V’s online features allow you to either match off 1 on 1 against another player, or as part of a larger ranked tournament environment. The online experience is further enhanced by the character creation tool, as players are able to show off their creations first hand both in battle and with their player card photo.

SoulCalibur V is without a doubt the best installment in the series yet. Everything from the games vast abundance of play features, to its strong character roster make for an all round enjoyable experience. Furthermore, with the promise of future DLC, it’s safe to say that SoulCalibur V has a promising few months ahead of it.

9/10