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Soulcalibur IV

From the Soulcalibur Wiki

Soulcalibur IV
Developer(s) Project Soul
Publisher(s) Namco Bandai
Ubisoft (Europe)
Designer(s) Hiroaki Yotoriyama
Engine Havok (game physics)
Platform(s) PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released NA July 29, 2008

JP July 31, 2008
AUS July 31, 2008
EUR July 31, 2008
UK August 1, 2008
NZ August 1, 2008

Genre(s) Fighting
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Ratings BBFC: 12
CERO: C
ESRB: T
PEGI: 16+
USK: 16
Media Blu-ray Disc, DVD-DL
Input methods Gamepad

Soulcalibur IV (ソウルキャリバーIV Sourukyaribā Fō?) is the latest installment in Namco's Soul series series of fighting games. It was released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on July 29, 2008, in North America; July 31, 2008, in Japan, Europe, and Australia; and on August 1, 2008, in the United Kingdom.

Contents

[edit] Gameplay

[edit] Modes

SCIV features the familiar Story, Arcade, Training and Museum modes. A new mode called Tower of Lost Souls has the player fighting special battles in order to gain rewards.

[edit] Character Creation

Main article: Character Creation

Character Creation from Soulcalibur III returns in Soulcalibur IV. Instead of including some original weapon styles for use with certain classes of fighters, SCIV now only allows players to simply choose which character from the series they would like to have their created character mimic (excluding Algol, bonus characters, and the Star Wars guest characters). This differs from SCIII in that many different styles were also included, such as Grieve Edge, Kunai/Shuriken, Wave Sword, or Tambourine. The styles were removed in the transition, and the character creation has been simplified.

A wide array of new pieces of equipment are available for use in SCIV's Character Creation mode, and new options include a wider range of character voices (now with pitch adjustment) and the ability to change a character's general physique and muscularity.

[edit] Active Matching Battle

Multi-fighter battles in SCIV use a different structure from its predecessors, nicknamed Active Matching Battle (AMB). The AMB system allows players to switch to other members of a 'party' of fighters with the push of a button. Also, instead of starting a new round for each opponent defeated, new opponents will simply run into the battle immediately after a K.O. - with the exception of certain combatants. Matches utilizing the AMB system only appear in the Story and Tower of Lost Souls modes.

[edit] Soul Gauge & Critical Finish

Main articles: Soul Gauge and Critical Finish

SCIV features an all-new Critical Finish system. Next to a player's HP Gauge is a colored gem that represents the "Soul Gauge". The gem changes color when the player guards and is attacked. The color gradually changes from green to blue and or to red and then flashing red when the Soul Gauge is empty. The player's own Soul Gauge will regenerate if he or she makes an attack and hits the opponent (guarding or otherwise). If the character manages to empty out the opponent's Soul Gauge, he or she will get a short chance to perform a powerful Critical Finish move, which will defeat the opponent instantly, by pressing all four face buttons at the same time.

[edit] Force abilities

The Star Wars guest characters, Darth Vader, Yoda and The Apprentice, utilize unique attacks using the Force. Darth Vader is able to utilize Force-based pushes and chokes, Yoda can use the Force to launch himself into the air for complex aerial attacks, and The Apprentice is able to use Force lightning and other dark-side moves. These moves drain a special Force Gauge, which recharges gradually when not in use.

[edit] Online Battles

For the first time in the series, SCIV has the option to fight against other players online. Players can play ranked matches or unranked matches. Modes available online include "Standard VS" where players fight without using skills and "Special VS" where players fight with skills enabled. Created characters are playable in the online multiplayer mode.

[edit] Characters

Darth Vader, The Apprentice, and Yoda are the playable guest characters. At release Darth Vader appeared on the PlayStation 3, and Yoda on the Xbox 360. The Apprentice, the main protagonist of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, also makes an appearance as a playable guest character on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. In October 2008, Vader and Yoda were released as downloadable content for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, respectively.

Revenant, Frederick Schtauffen, and several other minor Soul characters make an appearance in battle.

The characters that must be somehow unlocked appear as bold.

[edit] Returning characters

Characters are listed in alphabetical order.

[edit] New characters

[edit] Guest characters

[edit] Bonus characters

[edit] Minor Characters

  • Gerhilde, Wolfkrone soldier (playable)
  • Siegrune, Wolfkrone soldier
  • Waltraute, Wolfkrone soldier
  • Schwertleite, Wolfkrone soldier
  • Grimgerde, Wolfkrone soldier
  • Solnhofen, Ostrheinsburg soldier (playable)
  • Dürer, Ostrheinsburg soldier
    Auguste, one of Raphael's servants.
  • Azola, Ostrheinsburg soldier (playable)
  • Helmwige, one of Astaroth's soldiers (playable)
  • Ortlinde, one of Astaroth's soldiers
  • Rossweisse, one of Astaroth's soldiers
  • Shadow, Voldo's servants (playable)
  • Doppelgänger, a doppelgänger of Maxi
  • Valmiro, a member of Cervantes' crew (playable)
  • Phantasm, members of Cervantes' crew
  • Auguste, one of Raphael's servants
  • Marienbard, one of Raphael's servants (playable)
  • Jacqueline, one of Raphael's servants
  • Lizardmen, Aeon Calcos' servants (playable)
  • Ukon, a Manjitou member (playable)
  • Sakon, a Manjitou member
  • Revenant, one of Zasalamel's puppets (playable)
  • Skeleton, Zasalamel's puppets
  • Frederick, one of Zasalamel's illusions
  • Xianglian, one of Zasalamel's illusions
  • Arcturus, one of Zasalamel's illusions
  • Gargantua, unknown loyalty
  • Dvergr, unknown loyalty
  • Shark, unknown loyalty
  • Picks, unknown loyalty

Only some of the minor characters are playable, and strictly in Story Mode. However, most can be made from custom character parts.

[edit] Movelists

Many movesets have been modified and/or simplified. Nearly all characters' moves have been slightly changed, yet the most obvious modifications are: Ivy, Yun-Seong, and Mitsurugi.

[edit] Premium Edition

The Premium Edition of SCIV includes a 48-page softcover art/comic book illustrated in full color, an XL 100% cotton t-shirt, and a tournament chart that allows "fans the opportunity to document the battle amongst friends." This chart is also a poster on the reverse side. It comes in a metal case and was released on the same date as the regular edition. The Premium Edition also has the best weapons and joke weapons already available for purchase, as well as clothing items to create a schoolboy or schoolgirl character. In New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Australia, there will be a steel bookcase edition instead, with bonus DVD containing 4 trailers in HD, 4 wallpapers, exclusive concept art and an exclusive booklet with character biographies.

[edit] Downloadable Content

Shortly after the initial release, various downloadable content was made available.

Name Description
Soulcalibur Soundtrack The original 17 music tracks for Soulcalibur were released for 80 MS Points each, or 1,200 for the entire soundtrack. These can be implemented into SCIV via options and integrated into the existing track list.
Customization Equipment 1 100 MS Points or $1.49 on PlayStation Network. Contains nine pieces of equipment that can be equipped to custom fighters or as alternate outfits for existing characters. The items included consist of classic pieces of costumes from SCI and II for Voldo (helms), Yoshimitsu (mask), Nightmare (helms), and a chest piece for Sophitia.
Customization Equipment 2 200 MS Points. Currently only available in places lacking the Limited Edition with exclusive equipment, this pack contains items that can be used to make a maid character. Only usable on female characters.
Customization Equipment 2 (AMERICA) 100 MS points or $1.49 on PlayStation Network. Contains 5 pieces of equipment that can be equipped to custom fighters or as alternate outfits for existing characters. The items included consist of Jack-O'-lantern (male and female helms), wizards mantle (male neck),

frilled shirt (female upper body) and short slops (female lower body)

Character Addition "Darth Vader" (X-box 360 only) 400 MS points. Allows Darth Vader to be playable on the X-box 360 version.
Character Addition "Yoda" (PS3 only) $5 US. Allows Yoda to be playable on the Playstation 3 version.

[edit] Reception

Reviews
Publication Score
1UP.com A
Electronic Gaming Monthly 89%
GameSpot 8.5 of 10
GameSpy 4.5 of 5
IGN 8.7 of 10
X-Play 4 of 5

SCIV has received mainly positive reviews from most media outlets.

There were certain criticisms directed towards the guest characters from the Star Wars franchise, with several critics maintaining that their presence was "unnatural" and that Yoda and The Apprentice in particular were "broken" and "absurd", respectively.

There has also been some criticism towards the online multiplayer mode on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game. Due to poor network programming, the "auto-matching" feature will often attempt to connect players to an already full or in progress match thus giving the player the error "Match is Full". The best fix for most is to host a match of their own, in which an opponent will typically join within a minute.

[edit] Trivia

  • Soulcalibur IV has the distinction of being the very first Japanese game to have a crossover with the Star Wars franchise, considering how much influence that the series has had on Japanese media works, including those that may involve use of lightsaber-like weapons and sounds such as Zero from the Mega Man X series using his Z-Saber as well as two of Yun-Seong's weapons

[edit] Awards

  • IGN Best of 2008: Best Xbox 360 Fighting Game
  • Spike TV Video Game Awards: Best Fighting Game

[edit] Gallery

The Japanese boxart for Soulcalibur IV (PS3 version)

The Japanese boxart for Soulcalibur IV (Xbox 360 version)

In-game Screenshot

Character Selection Screenshot

[edit] External links

Soul series
Main series
Soul Edge/Blade – Soulcalibur – Soulcalibur II – Soulcalibur III – Soulcalibur III: Arcade Edition – Soulcalibur IV
Others
Soulcalibur (film) – Soulcalibur Legends - Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny
Retrieved from "http://soulcalibur.wikia.com/wiki/Soulcalibur_IV"