Soul Calibur 2
By Kamui Shiro
System: Playstation 2
Developer: Namco

Introduction

Soul Calibur was released to Sega's ill-fated Dreamcast system a couple of years ago, and it says a lot when a home conversion can completely outshine the arcade version of the game in question. But that's exactly what the DC version did, boasting seriously enhanced graphics and a ton of extras to keep you coming back for more. To say nothing of garnering perfect ratings in gamers mags like Electronic Gaming Monthly. So it wouldn't be a big stretch to assume that its sequel, Soul Calibur 2 would do likewise, right?

The answer to that question, of course, is yes. Never mind that Soul Calibur 2 is one of the best fighters ever made--it's one of the best games ever made.

Review

Adapted for all 3 major gaming consoles, SC II has done the near-impossible by improving what was already the perfect fighting game. It's not the evolutionary leap some would have hoped for, but every portion of the game has been enhanced in some respect.

Graphic-wise, SC II doesn't quite deliver the same "wow" factor that the original did four years ago. But the visuals still unmatched against just about every other fighting game's graphics out there. The animation is stunning, the backdrops are gorgeous, and the effects have all been enhanced to jaw-dropping degrees.

The character roster had been increased to include 5 new characters: Talim, Raphael, Yung Sung, Necrid--created by comic book artist, Todd Mcfarlane, and Cassandra, younger sister of SC veteran and fan-favorite, Sophitia. Luckily, the gameplay hasn't changed--not that it needs to, of course. Ater all...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Like SC, SC II is easy enough for anyone to pick up and enjoy right off the bat,but it's also deep enough that it could take you months to master all the moves of your favorite characters. One of the many things that sets this game apart from any other fighter out there.

Depending on which version you own, you'll also have an platform-exclusive character available to play right off. Game Cube owners get Link, X-Box players have Spawn, and the PS2 is graced by the prescence of Tekken's Heihach.

The Weapon Master mode, in which you defeat various challenges to unlock items, is probably the game's greatest feature, boasting a host of extras to unlock and discover, like new weapons, extra game modes, unlockable characters like Sophitia and Cervantes, art galleries, even devestating Soul Edge versions of the fighter's weapons, as well as Legendary Weapons exclusive to each character.

Conclusion

In closing, there are VERY few games, fighters or no, that can match the brilliance of Soul Calibur 2. It's one of those extremely rare games that screams perfection and demands a place in your gaming collection.

Kamui Shiro