Soul Calibur IV

THE BAD:
*Crappy story mode and endings
*Not much for single player

SUMMARY:
Finally the long awaited new installment of the Soul series has arrived, oooooooh. Somebody has made a few mistakes.

Soul Calibur IV is the new installment to the soul series, and it leaves a lot of die hard fans disappointed. Soul Calibur has always been one of the most story driven fighting games on the block, but this story mode is just down right dumb, being no more than 4 matches with certain characters and the final fifth battle with somebody wielding a soul sword. Not to mention that the characters' endings leave players DYING for more. The arcade mode remains unchanged.

Almost all of the main storyline characters return to the fray including some new additions, some submitted by guest artists (although their just skins for already created characters) so there is a large array of characters to choose from each having a unique array of moves and styles and each looking beautifully rendered. Obviously the newest array of characters are those of the Star Wars universe. Those buying the PS3 version get the sith lord Darth Vader, while the 360 version buyers will get the agile jedi Yoda. Also both versions include Darth Vader's Apprentice Starkiller a.k.a....The Apprentice, original. Although fans were skeptical of this, their story's do tie-in pretty well.

There is a new addition to the single player mode of Soul Calibur IV known as "The Tower of Lost Souls". In this mode players can ascend or descend the tower. Those who ascend the tower must clear certain conditions in order to gain rewards. Those who descend it fight several battles just to see how many they can defeat, sounds more like survivor to me.

The fighting system seems to have some revamps to it. As always the game strays from the typicle High punch low kick, to the horizontal, vertical, kick and block button layout and keeps the ring out type KOs. Players can now break another's armor by doing a certain amount of damage to their high, medium or low areas. Players can also use guard breaking move which are identified when their weapon is coated in lightning, unblockable attacks when the weapon is engulfed in flames and various throws for each character as well as the ability to use a guard impact in which the player can parry an opponent's attack and leave them open by timing the impact right.

There is also a new addition being the "Soul Gauge" and the "Critical Finish". Whenever you block, your soul gauge decreases and when you attack they increase. This lessens the benefits of blocking, since whenever your soul gauge is decreased to a certain extent, a soul crush is at effect where the player is momentarily stunned, at which point one can activate a critical finish which automatically ends a round. Although rarely executed, critical finishes are great looking and are faithful to the character's style. The Star Wars characters have a special "Force Meter" which allows them to use their force powers to a certain extent. Using force powers decreases the force meter while landing an attack increases it. If your force meter runs out and you try to use a force move, your left wide open. The changes in the fighting are based more on strategy and realism as opposed to the earlier games' more button mashing style of play.

The character creation is very diverse as was it's predecessor. Giving you many options to create unique characters as well as almost anybody in popular culture you can think of. Also the skill bonuses are very diverse and give a more strategic edge in battle.

The online mode is very smooth and a match can easily be found by making a game. Although you'll probably find spamming little kids on the network, finding worthy opponents is always exciting.

Everything considered, Soul Calibur IV is faithful to the series in terms of game play, but not at ALL to the story. So hopefully this isn't a ending to the series as it would be a crappy one.