Soulcalibur II

Soul Caliber 2 is the sequel to the Arcade game called "Soul Caliber." It's a really fun fighting game with more stuff than you actually need.

The game has a lot of characters to choose from. There are at least fifteen, if not more. Each one has their own combos to use. There are a lot of combos. If you want to use you character well in battle, it's best to use only the simplest combos until you're ready.

You can also buy weapons for your character. Each character has about ten unlock-able weapons (I don't know the exact number.) and each has different abilities and powers. For example, some might be more powerful, but have a short range.

The graphics are stunning and detailed. The sound system is superb. Each character has their own voices that they say if they get hit, hit the opponent, or whatever else there is.

If you are a hard-core fan of fighting games, this is one that should not be missed.

I haven't played a true beat em up for a while; the last one I played before this game was Smash bros. melee which is a radically different fighting game. SC2 is overall richer than the average fighter in terms of replayability and lastability. As well as the arcade, practice, versus, time attack and survival modes, there is the Weapon master mode similar to the Edge master mode in SC. This is the main story playthrough for the home version of the game and has to be completed twice to unlock the majority of the games features. Via enemies defeated and money earned through battles won for various reasons, the rest of the game's features are unlockable, and there are many. Over 200 weapons are unlockable for the characters, as well as costumes and arenas, the 'extra' versions of each of the other gameplay modes,which allow you to use weapons acquired in weapon master mode, the museum features such as art galleries, character profiles, fighting theaters and demonstrations. As a hardcore gamer, I completed weapons master mode fully in a week, and still love it a week on, which is more than can be said about most fighting games after their main gameplay feature is completed. This is not a button mashers game; each character has their own unique style of play and mastery of their moves is essential to victory in matches. The graphics and sound are excellent, as is the gameplay; very fluid, and each character has layers of combos. The GCN version is the best in my opinion due to the most responsive controls, coolest exclusive character and faster loading times. This game will take the average gamer a few months to complete fully; achieve 99 ranking (i'm currently on 74) buy everything for every character etc. and the versus mode, while dissapointingly lacking a human-cpu free fight option, will never become repetitive. This game is the ultimate fighting game and should be in every fans collection.

Soul Calibur 2 is probably the second best fighting game ever made. Soul Calibur happens to be the first. The graphics are much cleaner, the music very dramatic, and overall, it plays almost exactly like the first game. I know that doesn't sound great, but with a smaller controller (unless you have an X-Box or Gamecube) it makes life a lot easier. Though I've only had this game since yesterday, I feel that it is worthy of a 10. Great sequel, and a must-have for any fighting game enthusiast.

This is THE greatest fighting experiences since Bushido Blade II. Don't get me wrong, i am no big fan of fighting games, but this game was truly great! The gameplay is fast-paced and the graphics are supreme, but as with most masterpieces you don't care for the graphics, this games greatest advantage is it's gameplay. The game doesn't contain that much "combos" as such, you rather have to find your own style and flow with the various characters. There are as many styles as there are characters, from the fast-footed ninja Taki to the powerful Nightmare and his two-handed sword Soul Edge. Fast-paced, precise control and High replay value, it deserves a strong ten.

10/10

It is relief to finally play a classic fighter for the Gamecube (besides "Godzilla: Destroy all Monster"). This is a well deserved sequel to the wonderful first Dreamcast/Arcade game. Soul Caliber II is a fighter with just about everything:

Pretty girls, Lizardmen, neat diverse weapons, shapeshifters, and special guest stars for each system (I prefer Link the most ^_~).

The only flaw was is that some of the character endings did not make that much sense. Makes you think more though, huh.

However, SCII is a classic like it's first game!

RATINGS: 9.9 out of 10!