SoulCalibur II

"Spawn is awesome, and so is this game!"

This is such a great game and just has so much to it, definitely making my personal top 5 list for fighting games. First let me start out by saying that this game does have one problem and one problem only, the game is not at all tough. I mean, I've played fighting game where it takes a bunch of tries to beat the last boss, and this is not one of those games. I can beat the game on any level fairly easy. But other than that, the game is awesome. Anyways... onto the actual review.

Graphics 10/10
Let me just say... WOW, I mean seriously these have to be the best graphics that I've ever seen for any fighting game, period. The graphics are just awesome and will only add to your gaming experience. I think that Namco just seems to have a flair when it comes to graphics for one off it's fighting game. Cause the only game that can rival Soul Calibur II is Tekken 4, which also made by Namco

Controls 10/10
They work great, nothing wrong at all, in fact the controls for the X-Box version seem to be even more receptive than the PS2 controls, but the X-Box control is a bulky, and they also feel a little bit heavy.

Sound 10/10
Nothing wrong with the sound, the music isn't bad or anything so it just gets the 10.

Gameplay 10/10
Awesome gameplay, and the whole new and improved weapon system only adds to it. The gameplay is similar except for the fact that it has more characters than ever. Also I do like the whole Weapon Master mode, and I feel that it adds a little kick that the first one didn't have.

Challenge 7/10
As I said before, the game is not too challenging whatsoever, however some of the stuff on weapon master mode is pretty tough but nothing impossible.

Replay Value 8/10
Now don't get me wrong, there is plenty of stuff to do, the thing is that once you do everything, all you can really do is battle against your friend. But I will say this, it took me about 5 hours to get everything in the first Soul Calibur, Soul Calibur II took me about 25 hours to beat. And you can always play Weapon Master mode again for fun.

Onto the grading process, ok for my process sound and controls combine for 1/5 of the total score. So it breaks down into 10 for graphics, 10 for sound and control, 10 for gameplay, 7 for challenge, and 8 for replay value. Thusly we have a total of 45/50 which round off to be an exact 9, which is good since I try to be a somewhat tough grader, only giving one game ever a 10.

In any case I got the PS2 version and I also just got the X-Box version, and let me tell you that they are both awesome game. Rent or Buy, well if I where you, then I'd definately buy either one of these gems. Also if you want to know which version to buy, well I think you'd best off with whoever your favorite character out of Spawn, Link and Heihachi is. I got PS2 version because that is system that has been very reliable and I often use it, and I got the X-Box version because I just couldn't say no to Spawn, and let me tell you Spawn is AWESOME. Heihachi is a mediocre character when it comes right down to it and the fact that his weapon are in essence his fists, it's just not worth it. And if you happened to have all the systems I'd suggest X-Box,Spawn is awesome to play as, I was reluctant to buy two versions cause it does cost double, but I'm glad I was able to get Spawn. But hey, I'd have gotten the game with or without exclusive characters, and it's a very cool game.

So what are you waiting for, this an excellent game and the sooner you get it, the sooner you can be having one of the best gaming experiences you'll have.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/02/03