by Jody - September 28, 2003

The game that made the Dreamcast famous has returned in another form. As a Dreamcast exclusive, it left the Playstation and the Nintendo 64 lying bloody in a gutter. Times are changing though. Exclusivity is no longer a major issue. Game developers are doing everything they can to release every game on every console. While Tekken still appears to be a PlayStation exclusive, Namco's other high-calibur fighter is giving Nintendo and Microsoft some much-needed soul. Now everyone can take the arcade experience home with Soul Calibur 2.

Soul Calibur 2 with Tekken. =/

Since this is a fighting game, it mostly revolves around timing different attacks on each other. Avoiding and parrying clashes will save your life, as shown later in the game. Although a lot of you may attempt to win the game by just pressing buttons, it�s not really as easy as Street Fighter is. There are a lot of moves to mess with, many ways to counter them at the same time, and sometimes even ways to strike back whilst countering his attack. With the hundred or more moves per person, you would definitely have a lot of chemistry going on � but more often than not, you will find a move that will stick in your head. With over 15 unique characters, this is a lot of moves to master. Especially with the character Heihachi, who is unique to the PS2 version. Heihachi, coming from Tekken 4 (another franchise of Namco) has no weapons, but Bracers. Although I�d rather be playing Spawn or Link, and the fact that I truly hate the Tekken series, Heihachi isn�t really THAT bad of a character.

The story � well, we've been there, done that, and quite frankly, I really don't want to go there again.

With a sequel come new game modes, such as Weapon Master mode and Extra arcade. Weapon Master is a remake of Soul Calibur's adventure mode, where you fight and advance through many levels; unlocking extra modes, features and clips for viewing pleasure. Along with this new remake, comes the ability to find and purchase weapons with unique stats, new costumes, and sometimes new modes; and also, the ability to level up with experience (which only merely changes your rank, nothing else). The "Extra" modes are just remakes of their counterparts, with the ability to use all weapons that were unlocked in Weapon Master. Unlocking things in WM isn't as easy as it sounds, the farther you get, the more it relies on your abilities to time attacks. To a point, WP definitely stands to it's name, Weapon Master. Since this is a fighting game, it is repetitively slow and exciting at the same time. Sometimes, SC2 can be such a unique amount of fun, that you become addicted to it, and not stop for hours (like me). I loved the original Soul Calibur, and this sequel can only get better. It�s unique experience of kicking another one's ass, especially with all of these modes and characters.

The PS2 doesn't really make them shine.

The graphics are definitely an improvement over the original, as the Playstation 2 really brings the game back to life. The levels and characters, so highly detailed down to the last thread of clothing they have on, look awesome. The detail just to the arenas is so great, that there are roses on walls, fountains, water, clouds, dust and dirt (sometimes) and metal grids. With this much detail, no wonder people love SC. Now, the characters, have unique hair and clothing styles, and definitely look rich and pretty.

Since there is a large selection of weapons per fighter (about 13 per fighter) there has to be a visual distinction. Each and every one of these weapons looks unique and deadly in its own aspects. For example, Nightmare's huge swords all look different: one is a rusty cleaver, while another is a long blade with thorns coming out the back of it. Each of the weapons made of silver/iron have a nice shiny reflection on them too, for a small detail. I was very impressed with the graphical additions.

Same old same old...

With all fight scenes and games, music has to accompany the duel, and make it more and more immersive and dramatic. SC2 does a good job on the musical detail, nicely done with drama, darkness, and righteous fury. Along with music, the weapons clinging and bashing sound just like a metal bar hitting an iron sword should sound. The voice-acting is amazing; the characters sound just like they look. The Japanese theme is great too. Sound, which most companies usually don't invest into in fighting games, is marvelously well done in SC2.

Multiplayer fun!

As with all fighting games out there, there is a VS (Versus) mode. This mode allows two people to fight against each other with their favorite characters on different stages and so on. I tried VS with my friends, and it was awesome. Just beating the crap out of them, not letting them even touch me, makes arrogance run through my blood, and hatred through theirs. Extra Vs mode allows weapons that you unlocked in Weapon Master mode to be put to use on one another. With all of the new characters, new moves, and new costumes, this VS mode turned into twice as good as the original. Although there isn't internet support, gather some friends and kick each others' asses. A very fun experience, and doesn't let down a fan of the genre (besides the part where you have to unlock more levels and characters).

I like Link better.

I personally like Soul Calibur 2 for the PS2 and the XBOX a lot better than I like this version, but it�ll do. Although the graphics are probably the least best for this platform compared to the rest, SC2 isn�t all about that, now is it? Still, if you hate Tekken as much as I do and own another next-generation gaming platform other than the PS2, I recommend getting it for that system.

Try it on another platform.

As mentioned earlier, this game is totally awesome, but I recommend getting it on another platform if you own it. The only thing that differs from this version and the rest is the lower graphics and exclusive Tekken (Tekken sucks) Heihachi. If you like Tekken though, and don�t own another platform other than the PS2, this game will still give you hours of fun.