Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7518 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Released on: 2003-09-26
• Rating: To Be Announced
• Platform: Xbox

Amazon.co.uk Review
If the world was a fair place then the name of SoulCalibur--peculiar spelling mistake and all--would be the most famous in beat-'em-up history. Unfortunately, though, the original arcade game was only converted to the Dreamcast (despite the prequel, Soul Blade, being on the PSone), thus dooming it to relative obscurity.

SoulCalibur's brilliance is not due to any particularly innovative features--it could legitimately be described as simply Tekken with weapons. It's just that it does everything with more panache and imagination than the rest. Instead of awkward, staccato moves, SoulCalibur offers gloriously flowing, instinctive combos that often leaves you gasping at your own character's athleticism.

Of course beat-'em-ups aren't known for their innovation and SoulCalibur II doesn't really deviate too far from its original premise of 16th century men and women hitting each other with a variety of swords, sticks and other meleé weapons. The whole tactical nature of the battles has been altered, though, to create a deeper game with blocks and counters now far more important and the glorious new animation system able to adapt each move depending on the direction and speed you're moving in.

One point of true innovation in the original game was its unusually complex and rewarding single-player mode and this has been expanded for the sequel as you compete under a variety of different conditions to earn money and buy new weapons, costumes and extras. --David Jenkins

Manufacturer's Description
It's been four years since the Spirit Sword, SoulCalibur, held the evil sword Soul Edge at bay and its pieces were spread across the world. Now Soul Edge's still-powerful shards are exerting their influence on the world. SoulCalibur II tells of those who seek the sword and explores their reasons for doing so. Thirteen familiar warriors and many new ones compete for the Spirit Sword and their own souls in seven exciting game modes including Arcade, Time Attack, Survival and Team Battle modes. The all-new Weapons Master mode lets you wield more than 200 weapons and items. Unlockable characters, costumes and arenas will provide nonstop action, excitement and surprises as you go one-on-one against your favourite characters.

Customer Reviews

Probably the best fighter of all time
Soul Calibur 1 was outstanding and had never been beaten. Only this sequel could. Soul Calibur 2 improves the game graphically as well as in playability. Not so much of a game for sharing, the special modes are a lot more single player based than a multi-person effort like Soul Calibur 1. However, the wide range of new characters, weapons, outfits and levels make a class act of a game. This is also not a game for those who get frustrated easily, (myself included) but its a game you always go back to. If you like fighters you will like this, and anyone who thinks otherwise has seen white coats or should have

WOW!
Simply put, this is amazing. Soul calibur 2 is the second best fighter ever, second only to the dreamcast prequel. In this game there are literally hundreds of things to do in this game, but the best thing is you have to work for them, complete arcade mode to unlock extra arcade ect. The weponmaster mode is best idea i've ever seen in a fighter, this see's you travelling the world undergoing challenges (only the enemy's weapon is visible for exaple) these get harder as you go along, if you have an anger problem LEAVE THIS GAME ALONE! Some of the challenges are unbeliveably hard. younger, less experienced players should also leave the xbox version well alone, and get the gamecube version, as the xbox version is harder (don't ask me why).

If i had to find a problem with this game is that....erm...uh... its......hard? But arguably difficulty is an asset, (unless you can't stand losing). So i leave you with these 3 wise words: BUY! BUY! BUY!

Great Game
This game was not on my list to buy, but I saw it at a certain other shop in Brent Cross for only £20. Bargain, I thought and bought it. I was not dissapointed.
I'm not a big fan of beat em ups, in fact this game was the only beat em up I've played for over Half An Hour!
The main meat of the game lies in weapon master mode. Here, you complete lots of different levels with different rules (e.g. you can only see the lower half of your oponents body), and you unlock things by completing them. Once you have completed this mode, do it again and you will find there are lots of different missions to try.
The Characters you can play as are very original, have classic sayings, and have their very own style of playing. Some may be nimble and quick but only do a bit of damage when they hit, when some may be huge giants who are as slow as the London Underground, but have devastating attacks.
I can't usually do mind-blowing combo's, but this game makes it easy for Newbies and veterans alike.
So, it got 5 stars in XboxGamer, 9.1 in Official Xbox Magazine, you'd be a fool to miss it!