SoulCalibur feels like it’s been in a gradual decline since its hey-day in the early noughties.
Lost Swords aside, the past few SoulCalibur releases aren’t bad games, they’re just a bit forgettable.
Indeed, when the only way of remembering a SoulCalibur game is by the strength of its special guest characters, you know things need to improve.
That’s why it’s great to see Bandai Namco return with such a strong entry in SoulCalibur 6.
There’s a lot to love about SoulCalibur 6, whether it’s the beautiful stages, the rousing musical score or the melodramatic narrator’s over-the-top battle introductions.
But best of all is the combat system, which depth of chess and accessibility of checkers.
Made up of vertical slashes, horizontal strikes, kicks, throws and blocks, it’s an approachable combat system that’s deceptively deep.
You can get through your first few fights by bashing buttons and hoping for the best, but you’ll need a lot more nous if you’re to survive against someone with a bit more skill.
The rock, paper, scissor-style Reversal Edge move is equally simple to grasp and has the potential to get players out of a jam.
Use it at the wrong time and with the wrong character, however, and it’s a wasted move that ends up doing more harm than good.
Lethal Hits and Soul Charges only add to the mind games, and further reward players prepared to do some research.
All of these new systems work in unison with classic SoulCalibur gameplay to ensure fights feel like proper back and forth duels.
As a package, SoulCalibur 6 is also brimming with content, most good, some not so much.
The story mode is very long-winded and load-heavy, featuring reams of text set against static – albeit beautifully painted – backdrops with only short bursts of intermittent action. Frustratingly, you don’t even get to participate in some of the more dramatic moments.
SoulCalibur is starting to look a little dated in this department, especially compared to the cinematic delights found in games like Injustice 2 and Mortal Kombat X.
Slightly better is the Libra of Souls mission mode, largely because you get to create your own character using SoulCalibur’s excellent customisation suite.
Personally, however, I prefer the old-fashioned arcade mode, where opponents come at you thick and fast.
It’s all preparation for some of the most thrilling and evenly matched online battles I’ve experienced in a fighting game. Long may it continue.
Elsewhere, the game features an extensive museum section that provides everything from SoulCalibur history lessons to advanced fighting techniques.
This includes everything from basic mind games – luring opponents into false sense of security – to ways in which you can control fights from a distance or counter from afar.
SoulCalibur takes things one step further by breaking down each individual character’s fighting style and advanced techniques. And instead of telling you what buttons to press to perform a particular move or combo, SoulCalibur reveals exactly when you should use your advanced techniques and the best follow-up moves to maintain control.
These combat lessons are incredibly detailed and really highlight how much depth the game has, although it would be nice if you could test these techniques without having to leave the Museum.
Fortunately, however, it’s easy to forgive a game with the flair and spirit of SoulCalibur 6.
A fighting game of the highest calibre, SoulCalibur 6 is a stunning return to form for a series that’s a cut above the rest.