Namco has just announced that the fourth installment in the
popular Soul Calibur fighting game series (don't forget about Soul
Blade on PS1) is coming later this year exclusively on PS2. This, of course,
is unfortunate news for Xbox fans or GameCube junkies hoping to go
another round with The Legend of Zelda's Link.
PS2 owners will be quite pleased, however, for in addition to the
great gameplay that the series is known for, SC3 boasts plenty of
new features. The most obvious being the addition of three new
characters -- Zasalamel, a bulky warrior with a missing eye who
wields a scythe, Tira, who wears bright green clothes to match her
lipstick as she fights with her giant, bladed ring, and Setsuka,
whose innocent looking bamboo umbrella hides a deadly blade.
Gameplay modes include the standard Vs. and single player mode,
which is now called Tales of Souls). There is also a Character
Creation mode, where you can design your own warrior by choosing
its sex, occupation, look, and weapon. You can then take your
original character through the Chronicles of the Sword mode, which
plays much like a real-time simulation where you see your character
in the unfolding battles.
Other modes include the ever-present Practice mode, Soul Arena,
where you can "enjoy unique battles," and Museum mode, which houses
all the goodies that you've unlocked as well as a history of the
series.
Namco also mentions a mode called World Competition, which allows
you to "rise in the ranks." This seems to imply an online mode,
although the company isn't saying anything definite on that subject
at this time. Hopefully, more will be revealed at E3 along with a
more solid release date.
