Soul Calibur 4

[otaku]

Are you buying? I'm thinking I may just rent and save some money but then the online play makes me think I should buy...and that collectors edition with the cool box and book and shirt... I guess we'll just have to see when the day comes (if I've got the money on me its a last minute thing)

How about you guys? Seems its not very limited though a local store has six limited editions. I wish they'd actually make these more limited. Still its nice and I'm tempted

[c0ldb33r]

Nope, I've been spending way too much on games lately. My wife hasn't said anything yet but I think I should cool it down for awhile. Also, because I've been spending so much my "still have to add to my excel spreadsheet" pile is getting pretty big, let alone my "I want to actually play this... someday" pile.

What's in the limited edition? just a t-shirt and artbook? nahhh, I hate getting t-shirts as bonuses because I'll never wear them (because they're collectable) so they'll just sit in my drawer / game box forever.

[josekortez]

Yeah, I was debating getting Soul Calibur IV or Unreal Tournament III for my 360 last week, and then I bought Unreal instead when I found a mint pre-owned copy for around $35.

I probably won't give SC IV the time it deserves since I didn't really play much of the mission mode in III on the PS2 and I never play multiplayer against anyone, so I might wait a while for this one.

[nestlekwik]

I have a few friends on my 360 list who purchased the game from a store in Bowling Green, Ohio, that broke the street date by at least a week. They have been putting quite a bit of time into it and really seem to enjoy it.

[G-Boobie]

I'm a bonafide nerd for Soul Calibur. I can't wait for IV.

[Kid Fenris]

http://www.kidfenris.com/sc4wtf.gif

oh cassandra-chaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnn.....

[Sudo]

I'll be renting it since I'm short on money at the moment.

[c0ldb33r]

I just thought, doesn't EB Games have a play free for a week offer?

[walrusmonger]

Very excited for SC4, will be buying the PS3 version (collectors if FYE gets any, since I have a $110 credit there)

[Juganawt]

Don't get your hopes up. I have the 360 version, and to say it's broken is a slight understatement.

The AI has huge holes in it's game, online is a laggy unplayable mess, and the characters are severely unbalanced (even without the upgrades you can buy).

The game looks lovely, but unfortunately that's as far as it goes. When you can win the entire game with any character by just pushing 5+Y, it's got issues and really needs a massive patch to fix it's problems.

[heybtbm]

Up until last week I was convinced I was going to get the PS3 version for the first time in the history of 360/PS3 cross platform releases. After debating for weeks, I finally decided to get the 360 version.

Several people on my friends list either have it or are buying it this week...and there's always those damn achievements (the PS3 version won't be featuring trophies for whatever reason). The online lag will be a non issue since most of my friends live in the same city. Worldwide matches...that might get a bit frustrating. IMO XBL should just ban all the < 1.5 Mps Broadband idiots and be done with it.

[segagamer4life]

i took advantage of the amazon debacle for 39.99 for the 360 CE last week, and should have it this week, I agree the lag, should be a null issue.

[c0ldb33r]

Is it true that each version will have the other Star Wars Character as DLC?

If so, if it's free, that's fine. I think it's dumb, but whatever - no harm no foul.
If so and it's not free, then this is just another example of being nickled and dimed to death for no good reason.

I know SC2 had different bonus characters for each version, but at least those were unrelated to one another, so if you had one but not the others, who cares. If we have to pay to have a Yoda vs. Vader battle, then I will not be buying SC4.

[segagamer4life]

sadly I have read, although not officially confirmed, both characters are in the game, via DLC, but I have heard rumors that it will cost to get em, hopefully Bandai/Namco doesn't f--- us here.

[segagamer4life]

by the way anyone know where to get the Soul Calibur 4 faceplates via reservation, I see them floating around on ebay, but no one is mentioning where they reserved.

[blissfulnoise]

Just got a copy and had a chance to play it for about 30 minutes. I'm too far removed with how to do the cool moves anymore but I can already tell that Yoda is indeed a cheap bitch.

[Lothars]

Is it true that each version will have the other Star Wars Character as DLC?

If so, if it's free, that's fine. I think it's dumb, but whatever - no harm no foul.
If so and it's not free, then this is just another example of being nickled and dimed to death for no good reason.

I know SC2 had different bonus characters for each version, but at least those were unrelated to one another, so if you had one but not the others, who cares. If we have to pay to have a Yoda vs. Vader battle, then I will not be buying SC4.


What's wrong with them charging for vader on 360 and yoda on PS3? they are exclusive on the respective systems, if you want the character than I don't see anything wrong with paying for him especially if it's like a 100 or 200 points.

I hope they come out for both systems.

[c0ldb33r]

What's wrong with them charging for vader on 360 and yoda on PS3? they are exclusive on the respective systems, if you want the character than I don't see anything wrong with paying for him especially if it's like a 100 or 200 points.

I hope they come out for both systems.
Because its marketing bullshit just to get us to spend an extra couple of bucks for an already expensive game. They're only exclusives because the marketing assholes decided that they would be exclusives. Just give us both.

Downloadable content should be used to breathe new life into a game that's been out for awhile, not to purposefully withhold content just to jack up the price.

[blissfulnoise]

I spent a few hours online with it last night. Mostly, it's a cheese fest on there which means I score pretty well. I played 20 matches (17-3) and only fought two people that were legitmately good players, one of which I went 3-0 on (Miz vs Ivy), the other I went 1-1 with (Miz vs Miz).

There is a good deal of lag to deal with. This makes Impact Guards pretty hard to pull off; but since so many people just spam BBBB it really isn't that big a deal right now. I did, however, suffer a loss due to unbearable lag. I probably should have just dropped out, but I despise people who drop out of matches, so I didn't.

On quitters, it really isn't that big a deal. I only had two people give up on me. So it isn't nearly as bad as say the Rock Band or Madden online experience.

All in all, the online play isn't a revelation and it has some significant issues, but it is certainly welcome over no option at all.

[heybtbm]

I played 8 matches last night and spectated on 3 or 4 more. There was absolutely zero lag. Granted, I have a decent internet connection (>6 Mbps), but I was still impressed.

Great game overall. I loved SC and SCII, didn't really like SCIII, and am pleased with what I've seen so far with SCIV. We should get a DP multiplayer crew together. Similar to the Dead or Alive 4 crowd we had back in the day.

[Damaramu]

hopefully Bandai/Namco doesn't f--- us here.

Haha. Just look what they did with Ace Combat 6 if you want any idea of what to expect with SCIV DLC....

[c0ldb33r]

Great game overall. I loved SC and SCII, didn't really like SCIII, and am pleased with what I've seen so far with SCIV.
Whenever I see a thread about Soul Calibur, I always like to point out that the first game in the series isn't Soul Calibur but rather Soul Edge. Soul Edge was my favourite of the entire series. I have no idea why, but a lot of people seem to forget about it.

[YoshiM]

I him-hawed a bit at the store but picked it up anyway. Played about two hours or so last night on single player. Pretty fun. Unlocked a couple of characters through Story mode, got Starkiller/The Apprentice through Arcade mode playing as Yoda and unlocked Sophitia using the gold I acquired.

I mucked about with the Character Creator but couldn't figure out how to create a my own. I did figure it out: click on the middle button in the Character Menu that has two people on it. That was after I designed a kick-ass, flame-haired sultry Sophitia. Right before I hit the sack I whipped up a knight-looking character based on an old D&D character. Can't wait to unlock more stuff and try him out online.

[exit]

So far I find the online mode to be a complete mess, after how many years of online gaming, you'd think they'd be able to make a decent lobby. I just wanted to play a simple two player match and when I picked quick match, I was thrown into an epic 4 player battle, no thanks.

You'd think Quick Match would mean just that, but I guess someone forgot to send me the memo.

Edit: Was finally able to play a quick match, through custom match of course and everything ran flawlessly. On a side note, I remember having to patch the yesterday when I first started it yesterday, does anyone know what that patch did? I figure it fixes a few things early reviews pointed out, otherwise it's quite odd for a patch to come out the day of a games release.

Also, I remember ringing it up yesterday and I got a "17 or older" prompt on both the PS3 and 360 versions, so I'm guessing there was a last minute rating change?


Soul Edge was my favourite of the entire series. I have no idea why, but a lot of people seem to forget about it.

I remember playing Soul Edge at the movie theater, I was bored with whatever movie that was playing and left my friend sitting there as I went to play some games. I eventually put two and two together when I remembered one of the characters when playing Soul Calibur 2.

[otaku]

Played 3 matches online (lost em all I suck!) Beat story mode a few times and am one round a way from level 20 ascension in the tower. Unlocked all the collectible stuff

I like the game even with its flaws

[Overbite]

The patch added penalties for disconnecting during a match (it counts as a loss for the disconnecter) and it also added a gauge to see how good your connection to someone else is. 5 bars is best, 1 is worst.

I played for a few hours and it was fun. Online was lag-free and really quick to get in a game. I gave Astaroth a giant pink afro and a monocle and played him a lot.

I didn't see any Yoda users online, which was suprising, and the only Apprentice user got his ass kicked.

My GT is Overbite if anyone wants to play me.

[YoshiM]

Tried my created character online. He was pretty decent but my SC skills are pretty bad against the seasoned players I went against. However they were all decent folk and while I was licking my digital wounds I watched a match where two players squared off their homebrew fighters. The first brought up an awesome remake of M. Bison and the other player just happened to have an equally awesome Chun Li. Everyone with a headset busted a gut laughing and the match didn't start right away because people were snapping pictures.

Even though I was getting waxed, the online mode worked flawlessly. It took a while to find an open match in Quick Match but that's not a big deal. No lag that I could see.

[Kitsune Sniper]

The patch added penalties for disconnecting during a match (it counts as a loss for the disconnecter)

I wish more games would implement this sort of penalty. Smooth thinking, Namco!

[G-Boobie]

I think this may be the best Soul Calibur sequel yet, actually. The online is 'meh', but then again, I have enough friends that are into SC that it isn't a big deal. I think the characters are WAAY better balanced than in 3 over all. I like it quite a bit. the default AI difficulty is pretty lame, but that's adjustable.

On PSN, by the way, if you want to rank up on the leaderboards, now is the time. So far it's mostly just a bunch of button mashing scrubs; no one seems to be playing high-level just yet(of course, in two weeks I'll be getting stomped. I'm living it up while I still can :)).

[Deadman]

I'm not a big fighting-fan, but I did like the DC Soul Calibur back in the day. Since I picked up a PS3 today, I stopped at GameStop and discussed the pros/cons of the PS3 and 360 versions with the employees to help decide which to buy.

Their main gripe was that Yoda was virtually unbeatable, unless you play as Yoda as well, since he's so small and hard to hit. They all said if they had to choose between the two, they'd take the PS3 version for the same price.

For the record, I didn't buy either one yet, as I'll wait to see if we get a nice GS coupon next week....

[YoshiM]

Their main gripe was that Yoda was virtually unbeatable, unless you play as Yoda as well, since he's so small and hard to hit.

Nope, not unbeatable. Lots of low attacks plus if you have an attack that can pop that little bastard into the air for a bit of juggling. It just takes a while.

[Overbite]

I guess I'm the only one who has no problems beating Yoda. Almost all of his attacks cause him to jump into the air, you can pretty much do constant quick mid-high attacks and hit him.

Also, attack low.

[heybtbm]

When playing as Yoda, watch out for frequent "Ring Out's". I've hopped off the edge at least once per match. He starts doing a sequence of those wild flips and then...bam...falls right off the edge.

[Cryomancer]

So is it true the Suit and Schoolgirl outfit are only downloadable if you input a code from the special edition? That *really* blows as those two outfits would open up a world of possibilities for CAS stuff.

Anyone know if the codes can be reused / have a code they don't want?

[Sudo]

So is it true the Suit and Schoolgirl outfit are only downloadable if you input a code from the special edition? That *really* blows as those two outfits would open up a world of possibilities for CAS stuff.

Anyone know if the codes can be reused / have a code they don't want?

The outfits are already available as DLC for people who didn't buy the LE.

[Cryomancer]

They must have updated that since last night then.

edit: do you mean customization equipment 1? that does not have the suit/schoolgirl outfit, just old nightmare/voldo/yoshimitsu heads and one sophitia chestplate. Everything else I see is just music downloads.

[Nirvana]

I'm enjoying Soul Caliber IV so far. I've been an avid Cassandra user ever since I've been introduced to the series. I love using her.

It seems like the Create a Character isn't as deep as Soul Caliber III's, but who knows.

I'll always love Virtua Fighter better though.

[heybtbm]

The multiplayer portion of this game can be unintentionally hilarious. I was playing Sunday night with a few people on my friends list and we decided to exclusively use "Random" character selection. If you choose Random Male or Random Female, the game will create a character for you on the fly...with bizarre and hilarious results.

I can't even describe some of the insane fighting style/wardrobe/character combinations the game cooked up. Everyone should try it. Half the time we couldn't fight because we were laughing so hard. Good times.

[c0ldb33r]

Is the North American version of Soul Calibur IV censored? I read on a few sites that it was, but didn't specify how. I expect it has something to do with boobs.

Any word on whether this is the case?

[Cryomancer]

If it is, my guess would be something to do with the fact that the "base equipment" color picker has a different palette, which will not really let you approximate a skin tone very well. The colors in that are very off from what the picker shows (when compared to the results on the bikinis), and there isn't even "orange" on the thing. Even setting both the bikini and skin colors to pure white doesn't result in the exact same color. So that could be it, if true.

[c0ldb33r]

Sorry to bump an old thread.

I just started playing SC IV the other day (360 version). What downloadable content is worth getting. I was going to get Darth Vader but he's pretty expensive.

Is there a cost effective way of getting a lot of the downloadable content?

[Pantechnicon]

Sorry to bump an old thread.

I just started playing SC IV the other day (360 version). What downloadable content is worth getting. I was going to get Darth Vader but he's pretty expensive.

Is there a cost effective way of getting a lot of the downloadable content?

I find myself in the same conundrum, having just gotten a 360 and SC4 (which is great, btw). I think I'm going to just bite down and pay the price (it's - what - 500 points?) for Vader. But if this is the way these "console exclusives" eventually make their way to other consoles, then there won't be too much more of this in my future.

[We Are Ninja]

None of the DLC is that earth-shattering; you unlock the really good stuff in game...

[kupomogli]

I'm enjoying Soul Caliber IV so far. I've been an avid Cassandra user ever since I've been introduced to the series. I love using her.

It seems like the Create a Character isn't as deep as Soul Caliber III's, but who knows.

I'll always love Virtua Fighter better though.

Yeah. SC4 had some definite issues with the CAS mode. It's like you could pretty much do literally anything to make a great looking character you wanted to on SC3. On SC4 you have a very limited selections that you can barely make any custom characters you want to. Sure you can make some characters, but others will look exactly like them.


I just started playing SC IV the other day (360 version). What downloadable content is worth getting. I was going to get Darth Vader but he's pretty expensive.

Darth Vader isn't worth getting. If you ask me, he's possibly the worst character in the game aside from Rock.

--

Anyways. I've been a Nightmare(SC2)/Siegfried(SC3) and Nightmare(SC3) player. I still like them on SC4, but I'm sad that they're not as damaging on the game as they are in the previous titles. It really sucks when you see quick characters like Mitsurugi/Cassandra/Sophitia taking more health off with most every attack than nearly all Nightmares attacks.

Even though good in the game, I actually ended up getting bored in a week and selling the game off but mostly because alot of lag in the matches. Atleast once every five matches I had a 2-3 second delay in my button presses. The fact that I played random matches I'd always get people ranked from level 40+(even got a level 88 who I played several times unluckily and got owned without lag.)

Anyone know if they made some patches for easier matchmaking options? I always played random getting either low ranked or 40+(usually) because I didn't like having to set my match up "every single time I wanted to play someone" without the possibility of them being either pathetic players or players who have had much more experience than you with a better chance of winning. Too bad there's no match making option that automatically matches you with the closest ranked person created.

[Cryomancer]

Bringing this back up as I now actually own the game finally. I've got a vast majority of my achievments done, so if anyone would like help with theirs or just wanna compare silly custom characters online feel free to get ahold of me on live or something.

What did you guys make in the game? I ended up making a ton of Dragon Quest people and Sailor Scouts and stuff. i agree that SC3 has the ultimately better custom options though...you can't layer shirts at all so in SC4 you can't wear a vest with anything under it other than chain mail for example.

[The 1 2 P]

I made some random generic fighter just for that achievement. I stick with my favorite fighters when it comes to fighting games, as I have never had the need(or desire) to create a character. I'm still working on a few online achievements as well as the other offline ones I need.

Overall it's a really fun game with solid controls. And as long as you get a lag-free game online you will have a blast. Well, I would of had a blast if I didn't keep losing.

[Cryomancer]

Personally I find the ranked online completely terrible and now that I have the achivement for playing I will never do so again unless i'm helping someone else get theirs. it's a complete spamfest and people only play the same few characters (kilik, seigfriend, cervantes). Couple that with the fact that you have to win twice in a row to level up, and the road to level 20 is paved with unpleasantness.

Player matches however are quite better. I guess that whole "waiting your turn" thing keeps some of the more obnoxious players away.

[E Nice]

I enjoyed the CAS the most. I made a bunch of characters then ran outta slots.

From Toshinden game series: Cuiling, Cupido
From TMNT series: Hun, Karai, Lord Norinaga, Ve, Captain Walker, Torbin Zixx
From Pretty Fighter/FIST series: Aoki Marin
From Fighting Vipers/Fighters Megamix: Candy aka Honey
From Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney: Trucy Wright
From Austin Powers: Dr.Evil
From Futurama: Zapp Brannigan
From Gunslinger Girl: Elsa de Sica, Triela, Triela in Il Teatrino outfit
From Variable Geo series: Yuka Takeuchi, Satomi Yajima, Terumi Kannazuki
From Ikki Tousen: Choukou Shikou, Hakafu Sonsaku, Kannei Kouha, Roshuku Shikei, Chinkyuu Koudai, Kaku Bunwa, Kakouton Genjou, Myousai Kakouen, Ten'i, Kanu Unchou, Chouhi Ekitoku, Chou'un Shiryu

[Cryomancer]

I made Karai too! I considered making Honey/Candy too since she's actually pretty easy to do, and was thinking some Ikki tousen girls would be as well. The CAS is definately the most fun part of the game for me.