*Originally published in The Argus Friday, October 26, 2018*
SoulCalibur VI returns to the beginning of the franchise’s story, adding extra depth and new characters along the way.
The story takes place in the late 1500s where an honourable knight has been possessed by the evil blade, Soul Edge. You’ll follow the story of many different characters, each with their own reasons for seeking, possessing or destroying the weapon. Each arc is short but does a great job at introducing you to the character’s moves and personality while expanding on the overall tale.
Complementing the usual story campaign is Libra of Souls, where you create your own character and take them on a story of their own. While tackling the main story, side quests and other missions will appear on the world map, allowing you to meet and experience SoulCalibur’s world in a new way. It’s a fantastic addition and one you’ll find yourself putting a lot of hours into. You also have arcade mode, where you’ll race against the clock battling enemies back to back. Of course, there’s also the option to take the battle online, where you can test your skills and face off against other players from around the world.
The game feels fantastic to play, battles are smooth, characters are responsive and everybody feels unique in the way they move. It’s an easy game to get the hang of too, mainly thanks to some great tutorial missions in Libra of Souls, so if you’re not usually a fan of fighting games, don’t let that put you off – this is a title worth trying.
There are a decent number of characters to chose from, including the guest character Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher series, who finds himself transported to the SoulCalibur universe. The greatest part of all is being able to create your character, the customisation options are plentiful, meaning you can make your very own fighter look exactly the way you want. The stages you’ll be battling on are also well designed and memorable, but it would’ve been nice to have a few more of them.
Verdict
It’s a must-own game even if you’re not a fan.
Review copy provided by Bandai Namco Entertainment