Soul Calibur 2 (PS2/Xbox/Cube)

By JON MINIFIE

(Herald rating: * * * *)

Namco has given the world more than a few arcade hits, most notably Tekken, Time Crisis and Ridge Racer. The success of the Tekken franchise has overshadowed some of their other games, particularly fellow 3D fighter, Soul Calibur.

Soul Calibur began its life as Soul Edge, a popular coin-op that graduated to the Play-Station (renamed

Soul Blade) towards the end of the 90s. Its sequel was the original Soul Calibur, which appeared in the arcades and as a standout title for Sega's discarded Dreamcast console.

The long-awaited Soul Calibur 2 has been available in Japan for some time and with the help of publishers EA, Namco are ready to release the PAL version simultaneously on PlayStation 2, Xbox and Gamecube.

Soul Calibur 2 comes with 20 selectable characters, old and new. Not all are available immediately. Working your way through Weapons Master Mode unlocks Sophitia, Seung Mina, Cervantes, Charade, and Tekken swordfighter Yoshimitsu. Old favourites Mitsurugi, Talim, Kilik, Astaroth, Taki and Voldo are joined by new fighters Yunsung, Sophitia's daughter Cassandra, and Raphael, a sword-wielding buccaneer.

Another late addition is Necrid, the mean, green Todd McFarlane-designed fighting machine. Siegfried almost counts as a new character having gone through a metamorphosis of sorts after winning the previous event. He is now going by the catchy handle of Nightmare.

Namco even went to the trouble of including a bonus character exclusive (and relevant) to each of the three consoles. The PS2 version allows you to select Tekken big-shot Heihachi, who seems slightly out of place and conspicuously exposed without a weapon. Cube owners will be able to play as Link (not the cute, cel-shaded one), and Xbox gamers will be able to fight as comic book antihero, Spawn.

Good graphics and engaging characters aside, the key to a successful 3D fighting game is in the control system and in the balancing of the fighters. Soul Calibur 2 has so many different fighting styles and an incredibly diverse cast of varying shapes and sizes yet it never feels out of proportion.

Soul Calibur 2 is reasonably friendly, but mastering Soul Calibur 2 will require enormous skill and deftness, not to mention dedication in honing one's technique.

Packed with fighters, gameplay options and bonuses, Soul Calibur 2 is the best-looking 3D fighter I've seen this year on any platform.

Price: $99.95

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