Soul Calibur 4 (PS3) 8/10

[LordGrievous]

Story (5/10):

There is very little story in Soul Calibur 4, but with fighting games, story has never been a huge focus. There is a basic outline though, for the background, which will make little sense if you haven't played any of the other games. "The Hero King," Algol, took possession of the cursed sword, Soul Edge, many years ago, and was able to control it. His son, Jealous of his power, stole the blade and the sword bended him to his will. Algol confroted his corrupt son, and slew him. Afterwards, he wanted to forge a new sword to counter Soul Edges evil. After many attempts, he used a ritual that involved sacrificing his own life and created the blade, Soul Calibur. Now, his power has ammased to the point where a tower has appeared from nothings in the cursed city of Otheinsburg. Algol, with only the power of his will, created a body compossed of only his imagination. He needs the power of Soul Edge and Soul Calibur to create a permanant form, rather than the weaker one he know posses.

Controls (10/10):
The controls are pretty smooth, and most of the multi button inputs of shortcut keys. There are a few moves for each character that have pretty difficult imputs, and some more advanced moves have to be timed perfectly. These are not by any means necessary, and only people that are long time fans will probably use them, anyway.

Graphics (9/10):
The graphics are pretty good. There are generally no real issues here, however, there are some sticking issues with robes and capes on custom made charachters.

Sound/Music (8/10):
Most of the soundtracks fit the stages, but some shine more than others. Most of the voices are good for the standard charachters, but the custom voices are a little lacking.

Replayability (7/10):
Well, there's defintley a lot to do in Soul Calibur 4, but most of it revolves around making custom charachters and getting new parts. If you're not into that, you'll find very little replay value, outside of online play.

Online/Multiplayer (6/10):
Ugh. It does what it says it does. There usually won't be lag if you host a match, but I wouldn't play against anyone with less than 3 bars. After a match, it also kicks you both of of the room back to the menu, so you have rehost or find a new match. Also, the matchmaking is broken, and will often find rooms that are already full.


Game-play (10/10):
It's a frame based fighting games. You can play it just like a regular fighting game, finding juggles, and making new combos. The gameplay is smooth and fun. Things like guard impacts, require that you time your input based on frames. Well SC is defintley a good fighting game, it's obviously not for people that don't like....well fighting games. You can also create new charachters with special ablities, customes, faces, etc. and you can chose their moveset from one of the characters you have.

Overall Score (8/10):
This is a buy. The games good gameplay makes up for the pain in the ass online, which will probably be patched soon. Creating new charachters is pretty addicting, and I've fought some pretty cool ones online.

[Snakebite]

Originally Posted by LordGrievous

Online/Multiplayer (6/10):
Ugh. It does what it says it does. There usually won't be lag if you host a match, but I wouldn't play against anyone with less than 3 bars. After a match, it also kicks you both of of the room back to the menu, so you have rehost or find a new match. Also, the matchmaking is broken, and will often find rooms that are already full.

Play with people IRL then, -.-

[LordGrievous]

Well, the multiplayer is fine. But finding people to play with is a bit of a pain, which is why online exists.

>_>

[Snakebite]

-_-
It's not that hard, just like 2 days ago I was playing with 4 other people.
But yeah, I guess so.
And what's with all these reviews?

[The Warden]

Originally Posted by Snakebite

-_-
It's not that hard, just like 2 days ago I was playing with 4 other people.
But yeah, I guess so.
And what's with all these reviews?

Yeah, I don't really have too much problems playing with people online, and I usually play online because I don't get to play locally with friends too often.

Oh and all the reviews are for this new review section, duh. =P

[nomhak]

I have yet to experience any major lag. In fact, the last time I experienced lag was with you Grievous, it would stick for like a second or to, nor do I get kicked out at the end of a match.

[LordGrievous]

Originally Posted by nomhak

I have yet to experience any major lag. In fact, the last time I experienced lag was with you Grievous, it would stick for like a second or to, nor do I get kicked out at the end of a match.

You get kicked back to the main connection menu. It doesn't kick you back in friend matches. I've experience pretty bad lag with a few people.

[nomhak]

never got kicked back to the online menu either. I'm usually always in my lobby unless I leave...
I usually just play with friends FYI, so maybe that's it.

[Googlrr]

Originally Posted by LordGrievous

You get kicked back to the main connection menu. It doesn't kick you back in friend matches. I've experience pretty bad lag with a few people.

>.>

[LordGrievous]

Originally Posted by Googlrr

>.>

>_>

Most of the time, you won't be playing against friends.

Random matches actually work on consoles that aren't the Wii.