The SoulCalibur franchise is often considered one of the best in the fighting genre. The original game back on Dreamcast is still to this day touted as one of the best fighting games ever, particularly on a console.

Since then, we’ve seen plenty of other fighting games, including two other SC titles, none of which lived up to the original. With a new Street Fighter coming to consoles soon and with Virtua Fighter, Dead or Alive and even Super Smash Bros. to fulfil fighting game enthusiasts cravings, there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to the somewhat one-dimensional genre.

So what is going to make SoulCalibur IV so different, and why will it fly off the shelves like never before? Below are 10 reasons why the 5th addition to this critically and commercially successful fighting series will own the sales charts in a few weeks time.

10. Console wars.

As of late, the “war” between the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 has heated up. It’s now gotten to a point where Microsoft and Sony fanboys mimic Nintendo fanboys from 2003, when Gamecube enthusiasts used the “but look at its awesome library” argument when questioned as to why the console could hardly sell. In other words, current-generation fanboys are taking things personal, especially considering the abundance of cross-platform titles. With SoulCalibur IV heading to both 360 and PS3 on July 31st, it’s pretty much certain that forums on the Internet will be infused with conversation regarding “which version sold more”. Subconsciously, fanboys of each console will go and purchase the game, even though they hate fighting games, just so as to help the cause.

9. Character Creation

Anyone familiar with the SC series will appreciate the inclusion of a character creation tool. While you can’t use the Star Wars characters as basic templates, you can mimic your created fighter on all of the other fighters in the game.

8. The Apprentice

Appearing in the upcoming game from LucasArts, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, The Apprentice will be a guest character in both versions of the game. There isn’t much information on his fighting style, but curiosity, as well as the “Star Wars presence” should be enough to bump up sales.

7. The trailer before The Dark Knight kicked ass!

Pretty much everyone has, or is going to, see The Dark Knight. Even people with anxiety who hate large crowds are cramming into cinemas across the world to get a look at this film.

The movie kicks arse. But the SoulCalibur IV trailer before it is some major cool-ness. On the big screen with great music and a fantastic montage of Yoda and Vader in action, the SC IV trailer before TDK should be an influencing factor in the games sales number. Kudos to the marketing team on that one.

6. Online fighting!

For the first time in a SoulCalibur game, you can go online and fight against other people with either the original fighters or your own created fighter. This current generation of gaming has created a whole new group of online enthusiasts, and they should be attracted to this new feature.

5. The Premium Edition

In New Zealand and Australia there will be a Steelbook case edition with a bonus DVD containing 4 trailers in HD, 4 wallpapers, exclusive concept art and an exclusive booklet with character biographies. From reports, it’s one of the most impressive “collectors-edition” ever.

4. Downloadable Content

Vader and Yoda, both of which are designated to the PS3 and 360 respectively, will eventually be available for download via XBOX Live and PSN. But we doubt that will be the only DLC coming for the game, and it gives us tingles thinking about what might be possible.

3. Star Wars Geeks

Fiction: Star Wars geeks are confined to their basements somewhere in the USA, have pimples, wear glasses and own every single VHS of the terrible Star Wars spin-off cartoon series’.

Fact: Star Wars geeks count for upwards of 95% of the entire human race.

Everyone loves Star Wars. Anyone who says they don’t is just like the men who have watched Sex and the City and can’t admit how much of a good show that is so as not to compromise their “man hood”. The fact is anyone who has watched the original Star Wars movies (IV-VI) loves the franchise. Couple that with ownership of a 360 or PS3, or both, and you have an automatic purchase.

2. Yoda

The question has been asked countless times since it was announced that Yoda and Vader will be originally available on different console versions; which character will be a better to fight with? While we get a feeling that Yoda will be quicker and more agile, he just doesn’t live up to the fanfare that his arch nemesis has. Yoda might be a better fighter, but he won’t sell as many games as the guy below.

1. Darth Vader

Tall, heavy and slow. Intimidating, tough and strong. The pros and cons of one of the greatest villains ever created. The ability to fight as Darth Vader is incredibly tempting, and while early reports claim that Yoda is the better character in the game, PS360 owners might lean towards a more evil and recognisable character. Darth Vader is super cool, right? RIGHT!?

SoulCalibur IV will hit retail shelves across Australia on Thursday, 31st of July, 2008.

29/07/2008 651 24

Join MyPS3 to vote for your favourite story!

Tags:

3 360 4 alive Blu-ray Blue-ray Calibur darth dead dl-dvd fighting force george HD-DVD IV lightsabre lucas lucasarts luke Microsoft or playstation Playstation3 ps3 sc4 sciv skywalker sony Soul soulcalibur Star The vader Wars xbox xbox360 yoda

More Info:

SoulCalibur IV

Related News:

• New SoulCalibur IV Screens! 31 Mar 2008 11

Related Reviews:

• Doccydarko Review 7/10 by Doccydarko
• callan5 Review 10/10 by callan5

Related Videos:

• 
  Lost Planet: Extreme Conditions
• 
  I Am Alive
• 
  Kane & Lynch: Dead Men
• 
  Grand Theft Auto IV

• 
  GameTrailers - Best of E3 Awards 2008 - Best TPS Game
• 
  Naruto Project PS3
• 
  Team Fortress 2 teaser
• 
  PS3 Ridge Racer 7

• 
  3 71
• 
  4 20
• 
  10 12
• 
  1 11
• 
  3 10
• 
  14 9