The SoulCalibur series hasn’t been this fun to play in a long time, and we couldn’t be more excited!

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My first experience with the SoulCalibur series was with the second game in the series way back in 2002. I was really drawn in by the focus on weapons in combat as it was a different than other fighting games on the market; and when I finally played it, I was hooked. The game contained a cast of unique characters, intriguing game play mechanics, and just an overall fun game just to name a few reasons.  Now as I play SoulCalibur VI, my love for the series has returned; and quite possibly more than ever before!

SoulCalibur VI follows the ideology of being easy to pick up and play; while rewarding players for learning the intricacies of each character. Boiling down to a four-button combat system, (horizontal attack, vertical attack, kick, and block) SoulCalibur VI doesn’t require a lot of experience to get into; and you can be pretty solid with just a basic understanding of the gameplay mechanics. Players can also pull off power ups, and special attacks with the triggers, so you don’t have to be a fighting game aficionado execute some awesome looking attacks.

What really helps this title stand out from other fighting games on the market is the colorful cast of characters. The roster consists of 21 characters, 18 of which are returning from past SoulCalibur titles, so there’s bound to be a character you enjoy; especially if you’re a fan of the Witcher series. Each character feels different from the rest, so don’t expect to use the same strategy for each character and expect to win. As I was playing as Nightmare I would use his sheer size, and giant greatsword to pressure my opponent, however as I tried Groh I found myself playing more defensively; looking for an opening to pull off a string of quick combos with his staff that splits into two swords mid combo. SoulCalibur VI does offer a create a fighter mode as well that allows you to bring some incredible ideas to life; whether cool, or just plain funny. The only let down with this is that your created fighters won’t be very unique as they must use the moveset of main roster characters.

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Once you’ve had enough experience you can take part in one of two single player story modes. The first of two is the game’s Souls Chronicles which follows the history of each character; offering quite a few stories altogether. While the stories of each character are interesting at first, the stories are heavily text based, which can get boring quick. When it does get to a fight, they tend to be short and way too easy to win.

If you’re looking to include your creation into the SoulCalibur story, the Libra of Souls mode is more your taste. Mixing rpg and fighting game elements, Libra of Souls allows your created characters to go on a journey. As you progress through the mode, you’ll earn experience to level up and use an even larger variety of weapons. What really makes this mode interesting are the smaller elements of food and the Mercenary Guild. Players can equip their characters with food that will offer bonuses such as boosted health, increased damage, and much more. On the other hand, if you want to bypass a battle, you can hire a fighter to go into a battle for you. While they may not always win, they’ll at least knock some health off your upcoming opponents. The problem with Libra of Souls is similar to the Souls Chronicles as the story telling is heavily text based, with little in terms of combat when it does arise. Don’t let that take away from the hours of content that they offer.

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When you’ve had your single player fix, you can take your skills online in either ranked or casual modes. Both modes offer the basics when it comes to online play; no gimmicks, straight to the point fighting. What’s nice about SoulCalibur VI’s online is the ability to watch not only your replays to find flaws in your execution, but other players to learn how to better use certain characters.

SoulCalibur VI is a gorgeous game that offers the level of fun that I haven’t felt since the second game in the series. Being an easy to pick up and play fighting game, it’s perfect to play with a group of friends. If you’re looking to play it by yourself, the story modes are fun with hours of content; even if they can be quite boring at points. Needless to say, SoulCalibur VI is a must have if you enjoy fighting games even in the slightest.

THE BREAKDOWN

PROS:

• Gorgeous visuals enhance the experience
• Gameplay is easy to pick up and play, while still offering a deep combat system
• Large amounts of single player content to keep you occupied for hours on end
• Character creation system can bring some hilarious fighters to the fray

CONS:

• Libra of Souls and Souls Chronicles are heavily text based, with little combat
• Lack of tutorial system can make it difficult to understand features like Reversal Edge