Soul Calibur 3 Review

What’s New in Soul Calibur 3

Soul Calibur 3 is more than just a rehash of it’s predecessors. Three new characters are introduced, putting the cast to 30. Zasalamel is a scythe wielding brute who will remind you of Rock and Astaroth, but is a bit faster. Tira sports a hoop complete with sharp blades that will tear you up if you’re not paying attention. Setsuka looks torn from the movie Memoirs of a Geisha and throws around an umbrella. Don’t be fooled... this umbrella, though unique, has a fighting style that is as complex as Maxi’s.

Some new modes include Soul Arena, which toss you into some mini-games like collecting more coins than you’re opponent and beating down a 50 foot statue without dying. Competition mode sets up a bracket tournament with either the computer A.I. or up to 8 human players. Keep on winning to become the best or bow out because you could perform the three hit combo you needed to beat Taki. It’s a nice feature, but most useful if setting up a bracket with your friends.

Two modes that go hand in hand are Character Creation mode and Chronicles of the Sword mode. In Character Creation (if you haven’t figured it out by the name) lets you create a character. Choose from different faces (and features), eyebrows, clothes (including shoes, robes, headwear), classes (barbarian, etc) which determine your fighting moves, and even which voice you want. Naturally, as a guy, I picked a scantily clad female barbarian. She had a thong-like bottom and a furry bikini bra-thingy. Oh yes, character creation is fun. Once you get your fighter all squared away, take him or her into Chronicles of the Sword mode.

COTS mixes the fighting with real-time-strategy based missions. Apparently you’re a newbie in an army and there’s lots of war going on. You are sent in to complete different missions like defeat all enemies or capture more enemy bases. Action takes places on a grid-like map with blue bases and a red bases. Most often you travel the map securing your enemies bases for your own and eventually taking over the main base to win. Also, you have to stop the enemy from taking over your base or killing all your characters. At the beginning of each mission, you are allowed to take up to 4 people on the mission (either your created characters or those who join you as you go along). It’s real-time so you have to be aware of each character and what they are doing. If someone becomes engaged with the enemy, then you can either let them fight it out on the map (automatic), or take it to the arena Soul Calibur style. If you do the later, you take control of the fighting and it’s possible to have a 2 on 3, 1 on 4, or 3 on 3…depending on if you sent your guys into help. After the fight, you earn experience and can increase your strength, agility, etc. Winning the fight nets you more obviously, though losing will get you some.

Chronicle mode starts off fun, but slowly grows monotonous after a few hours of play. The story is boring and the characters that join you are just cookie cutter characters that aren’t developed. Now if Soul Calibur became an RPG game, then this type of gameplay would be engaging. Unfortunately, if you want to unlock everything in the game, you will have to play through this mode. Luckily, I have my girl barbarian.

The Gameplay

Gameplay mechanics have hardly changed in Soul Calibur 3, which is the reason why this series has survived so long. Two simple attach buttons, a kick and a guard is all you need. Combined with directional buttons and parries, you have one of the deepest fighting systems of any game. The Soul Charge is still here, but I don’t find useful, unless you’re playing a novice.

Strategy is key still. Maneuvering around the ring is just as tactical as performing a full out assault on someone you knocked down. Ring outs provide relief and knowing how fast your character can dodge of back up could be the difference between life and death. While no massive amount of new moves have been added, the three new characters add some variety of fighting styles that will either please you or irritate you. I have noticed that some of my favorite moves from number 2 have been replaced and the bigger guys are slightly faster than before.

The Controls

If you do more than button mashing, you’ll find the controls dead on. The characters react fast and you’ll find yourself behind on some of the moves if you’re not careful. Dodging and circling the ring is fast if you use the analog stick, but some of the moves might be hard to pull off. Use the digital pad if you have speedy fingers on the pad. Namco hasn’t changed the button layout since the PSone version so any veteran player can pick this game up and start fighting.

The Graphics

Running at 60 frames per second, Soul Calibur 3 delights and may even surprise you. While the overall graphics have changed little, it’s the characters that are more detailed and the action in the background that will distract you occasionally. Weapons shine dramatically and the characters clothes sway and twirl realistically. The backgrounds are even more detailed than before. More wind, more cannon fodder, more mountains…you name it, it’s there.

Thompson’s Two Cents

Soul Calibur 3 is a fine addition to the series. Despite the lackluster Chronicles of the Sword mode, you can find clean graphics, 3 excellent new characters, and the deep gameplay that has always been associated with Namco’s premier weapon’s based fighter. Fighting fanatics and those obsessed with Soul Calibur (much like myself) will enjoy this one.

Just remember to pick up your paycheck every week.