The Catalyst

By Rachel Davis, Reporter

With the advancement of a great dynasty, every new generation faces the challenge of surpassing those who came before. Video games are no exception to this truth, particularly games as innovative as the Soul Blade/Soul Calibur series. The fourth in line, Soul Calibur IV, had a lot to live up to even before its release, especially considering the new graphics and gameplay capabilities of the new Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles. Hopes were high, and reactions were lukewarm, at best. But how much of this is fan bias? After viewing an endless succession of reviews trashing the game both online and in magazines, I decided to see for myself how well SCIV held up in comparison.

As it turns out, I was pleasantly surprised. The new title is a stunning triumph that does more than suitable justice to the ones before it. And beyond that, it stands on its own as a solid game. The graphics – rendered in high-definition – are completely breathtaking, using the PS3’s new technology to its full advantage. Even small changes such as the background detail and subtle sheen on the character's hair has made a complete difference, especially when compared with the appearance of previous titles.

But the graphics were only the first thing to catch my eye. The gameplay in SCIV is challenging but easy to pick up, with controls suitable for both veterans and first-time gamers. Though it's simple enough to button mash through, the real fun lies within learning the intricacies of each character's moves and weapons, which includes everything from katanas and rapiers to giant axes and hammers. The “Create a Character” mode adds another dimension by allowing players to customize their own character's appearance and moves, then take them out on the battlefield and summarily beat up everyone else.

Overall, I was highly satisfied with the quality and replay value of Soul Calibur IV. For those who don't mind mild violence and over-the-top cheesiness, it should prove to be a worthwhile time-waster and an excellent multiplayer game.

Rating: 8 out of 10