SoulCalibur

"Not the reason I bought Dreamcast, but is now my favorite game"

Well, let me start off by saying this is my first game review here at Gamefaq's. I'm happy to finally find a game worthwhile to right a review about. Now, on to business. It has been a long wait for Dreamcast, but I finally picked up the system yesterday at the local mall. I've spent months saving ALL the money I could (I'm 14, hence the fact I have no job), and I had to trade in a few games, but now I'm all set. So I get home, hook up the system, and it falls off my tv stand (Thanks for all the cords from PSX and N64 that broke the fall:-).Ok, so I pop in my fresh copy of Soul Calibur (Only customers who reserved Soul Calibur got it, the kid next to me was practically in tears:-). First, I was happy with the opening scene. Very well done. Now, I will get into an in-depth review and evalution(Mind you I have not yet purchased a VMU, and I have played at least 10 hours of the game, unlocking loads of art, etc.)

Graphics:10/10

Well, I heard alot about these mind blowing graphics, so I was expect alot. Pictures don't do very many games justice, neither do microscopic video clips. But must I say, Namco, although I can't stand Tekken 3(2 and 1 were fine, blasted Eddy Gordo RUINED the series:-), You always please me with graphics. While searching arcades over the summer, I saw a lonesome Soul Calibur machine, I took one look at the graphics, and said "Oh man, not tekken 3 graphics. Blah."But when Namco realizes the potential of Dreamcast, they must have said "Well, why just port it over, why not scrap everything and build fresh 3-D models?". What a great idea. The characters are now stunning. I'm not sure if I have the guts to play playstation games anymore, thats how breath-taking the game is. It truely is a sight to behold. Now, one thing that has always driven me insane is the clipping and crappy-collison detection in past Namco games. While not 100% perfect, this is their best attempt yet. the only things I've seen are the breakup of Kilik's hands when hes holding the pole in one of his win stances and Mitsurugi's tiny piece of armor going the slightest bit through his arm. But as you know with the breakup in Tekken, the polygon flashes and completly distorts. However, in this masterpiece of a game, it simply goes through. just a tiny bit. As for the costumes, each is animated so perfectly and detailed to armor staying higher longer is incredable. Now, for actual animation. The animation is unbelievable. I don't quite remember for sure, but the game looks so perfect, if it wasn;t for the fact of Lizardman's,Astaroth's and Voldo's inhuman looks, you could swear these were real people.Backrounds are also great, very good water effects.Also, if you want the best way to view animations, try to unlock the mueseum mode(Exhibiton). And as for lighting effects, they must be seen to be beleived.

Sound:9/10

The sound is also great, but some of the music could be better. The japanese voices are spectacular, also showing namco what their fans want by subtitling instead of dubbing with those horrible American voiceovers(Cervantes sounds evil, not like a drunk pirate:-)

Control:9/10

There's not much to say, it's tight, the only thing that bothered me was theres not much of a jump.

Gameplay:10/10

Fast, and you need to use a strategy. Sorry Eddie Gordo Lovers, button mashing just doesnt work. Throws look great. No questions asked, the gameplay is perfect!

Overall:10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 06/08/03