Soul Calibur IV

[Wacky]

I've always preferred SC to Tekken, simply because as improbable as the story is, it's infinitely better than Tekken's. I've also had a massive fanboy crush on Xianghua which has been running almost as long as my fanboy crush on Yuna, but I digress.

Soul Cal IV, I fear, is making the massive mistake that Tekken did in including a bajillion main characters. It gets seriously boring after a while when you notice that half the characters in Tekken have similar moves (Some are literally the same.) Sure there are minor differences in what Ms. Monteiro does compared to Eddy, but seriously, they both do Capoiera and both, in my hands, will be kick spamming (But chained Kick spamming! I learnt the combos!) until you're dead. Same for the entire Mishima family, and I'm not even going to go into the blatant rip offs of characters who are simply other characters for no reason (Marshall/Forrest Law, the Changs, the Williams sisters, and the female Kazamas, to name a few.)

Soul Cal used to do it right. If you wanted a Sophie style character, you got Cassandra, and Sophie wasn't in the game. The big guy with an axe was either Rock or Astaroth, not both. Siegfried wasn't there because Nightmare did what he did (Although Soul Cal III did an admirable job of changing their chains so they played differently.) And although Kilik and Seung Mina play nothing alike, you had one or the other because of the pole arms. I suppose it's easier to make different play styles when you're allowed to use weapons, but I sincerely hope the new characters are wild and crazy and still functional. Unlike Mardok. What a bloody loser. He doesn't even have an aussie accent.

I sincerely hope they didn't just throw in the Fan Service in Soul Cal IV just so everyone can "play their favourite character!" It was already hard enough to find your character in SC III, what with all the stupid bonus characters.

Also, I still reckon I can murder you all with Xianghua. She's like a monkey on crack.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I think the biggest mistake with Tekken is that it was uninteresting to begin with as opposed to Soul Calibur, but I digress. I can see what you mean, but there are bound to be certain types of moves here and there that are gonna coincide with another character's. I don't think this would be too big of a deal.

Also I'll take on the world with Cassandra.

[Bleck]

I just want to play as the sexy robot girl

[Red Shadow]

played the first soul calibur on DC for the first time a few weeks back and went 50-0 with random characters against a group of friends who play each other with some frequency

explain

[SLyGeN]

button mashing is one of the best strategies in that game.

Similar thing happened when a newcomer joined my little circle of friends. I still whooped her with Link, but she whooped everyone else.

My maximum number of juggles with his Up-Vertical attack is four :grin: Usually I only get three. I need to pin someone in the corner of the cathedral someday and try to beat it.

The cathedral's music is epic, by the way. I'm known to pick favorite stages based solely on the tune in the background.

[DarkeSword]

Threads about video games don't belong in Off-Topic.

[Dyne]

Truthfully, I think the main reason they're able to put in so many characters is because the game is on Next Gen systems, not the GCN or PS2, but the 360 and the PS3. Think about the tech, especially the capacity of the game discs themselves. I think that's mainly why you're getting so many characters. Think of all the data needed to render them.

Besides that, it's a great series, and if they're going to cap it off with Soul Caliber 4, then let them go all out.

[Bleck]

yeah besides nightmare is still going to be the best character anyway

[The Xyco]

Tekken's cast contained one too many azns.

As I possess an ignorant white brain, I simply cannot comprehend the semantic differences between them all.

Sorry.

[Bleck]

eddy gordo and christie

oh well they are both black they might as well be exactly the same

[Hector]

If you think Sophitia and Cassandra are the same, you are making a big mistake. Because I can decimate just about anyone with Sophitia. Though Cassandra has many similar moves, they have some radical divergences--especially in where their effective moves are.

The "similar character" problem lies in the fact that for every set of weapons, there might be a several different fighting styles for them. Also, when someone loses a favorite character they get seriously pissed and may not buy the game as a result. I poured many hours into mastering Sophitia and would not appreciate having to switch to Cassandra. Cassandra just feels wrong when I play her, and I'd bet that most Cassandra players think the same of Sophitia.

As to too many characters, I thought that SCI and II got it right: have the extra characters simply be there, without any significant story. That way they could concentrate on the important characters. On the other hand, they could label some characters as "Legacy Characters", no longer part of the storyline, it is not hard to include an old character as most of the hard work has already been done to design them.

[Wacky]

played the first soul calibur on DC for the first time a few weeks back and went 50-0 with random characters against a group of friends who play each other with some frequency

explain

Your friends forgot to know how to Eight Way Run, air control, and most importantly, block.

Also your new friend probably chose Maxi because he's the only character I know whom button mashing generally pulls of excellent combos. It sometimes looks like I'm button mashing if I use Taki or Xianghua, but that's because they need long chains of very fast moves to deal any significant damage.

[Shadix]

You forgot the other Sophie clone, Lizardman!

I have to admit though you're arguement doesn't really work.

Sophitia appears in every Soul Calibur game. Even SC2 has both Cassandra and Sophie. (and Lizardman)

Both Sigfried and Nightmare are in SC1 and 3.

Both Astaroth and Rock are in all the games, they also play quite differently. (In SC2 Rock isn't in there but the berserker has his moveset)

Heck you could compare Talim and Cervantes too, even though their movesets differ drastically, their play-style is near the same.

and you can't really compare Kilik and Seung Mina. Kilik uses a bo staff, while Seung mina uses a more halberd like polearm.

--

Getting to the point, SCIV's cast seems pretty balanced even though they are bringing back some of the clones from SC3. I'm still a little upset that Li Long keeps getting the shaft for his clone Maxi. Seeing as this is supposedly the last game in the series it's a little disappointing that there hasn't been a complete and official reunion of the original Soul Blade cast.

What you should be complaining about is the shameless twinked out Star Wars plugs. I think we are all going to die from Star Wars overexposure before too long.

[Bleck]

Lizardman!

the best character the very best

[Hector]

I'm confused, you say my argument doesn't really work but then site examples supporting it.

As to saying that I should be complaining about the Star Wars plug-ins, I agree. I'd have much preferred if they had chosen some plug-ins that have armaments more appropriate for Soul Calibur. I would have preferred if they used the plug-in model that they had used with Link. In that case, we would likely have been getting Kratos on the PS3 version and...I really need to pay more attention to the 360.

[JCvgluvr]

And Master Chief for 360 using Plasma Sword!!!

[Gollgagh]

eddy gordo and christie

oh well they are both black they might as well be exactly the same

Who needs Eddy when you have boobs?

[Linkjing Donuts]

Who needs Eddy when you have boobs?
one and only reason i chose christie over eddy. and breaking is the reason i chose her over everyone else

[I-n-j-i-n]

I think the biggest mistake with Tekken is that it was uninteresting to begin with as opposed to Soul Calibur, but I digress. I can see what you mean, but there are bound to be certain types of moves here and there that are gonna coincide with another character's. I don't think this would be too big of a deal.

Also I'll take on the world with Cassandra.

That is a major digression right there, because I still think Tekken is the one game that made the 3D fighting games interesting. Toshinden was standard fare, Virtua Fighter still has zero personality (though it still is the best fighting game series technically), and DOA was only getting started and didn't have the variety of Tekken.

button mashing is one of the best strategies in that game.

No.... Just no. Just about every Soul Calibur player worth his/her salt knows how to block and parry and 8-way-run all the time. That's why so many tournaments are drawn out blocking affairs and Namco is looking at ways to destroying excessive turtling blockers.

yeah besides nightmare is still going to be the best character anyway

You mean Xianghua, who was top tier for almost all the Soul games.

Personally, I love that they're adding more and more characters. I just don't buy the argument that they're thinning out the uniqueness when they're doing a good enough job. I think a lot of hardcore gamers have a point in that Namco never really listens to the hardcore fighting game community like Virtua Fighter developers do. But that's the only major knock IMO.

and you can't really compare Kilik and Seung Mina. Kilik uses a bo staff, while Seung mina uses a more halberd like polearm.

For most of the games, they had near identical movelists and they still fight similarly in the new ones. I think you chose a really ironic example for clone characters since I think they're the closest related.

[The Phalanx]

Yoshimitsu.

That is all.

[DrunkenSage]

I'm vicious on Soul Blade/ Soul Calibur 2..3...

I'm sure four would be the same. Anybody like Def Jam Fight for NY?

As far as SC goes, I will murder with Voldo, Ivy or Kilik. Tekken has just about the same engine. I like fighter games that play with directional multi-button moves. Infinite replay. On the sad note, I wish that you could have Vader and Yoda on one console. The Imperial troop is on Wii??

I have not played four, though. If I had that much spare money, I would rather buy a Keyboard than a next gen console, anyway. My real ambition is Metal Gear Solid 4. I saw Hideo Kojima's demonstration. I like the idea that, you can aim whichever way, while on your stomach or back in prone position. Looks cool, but I don't know about the auto-camo yet. It looked badass, but I heard somewhere that Kojima was not really happy with it?

[Thylacine]

I don't mind similar characters, as long as they are differentiated enough to be important. Sophie/Cass is a perfect example. Emphasis in certain areas (speed/strength, usually) make the characters more comfortable for different playing styles.

And nobody's giving any love for Soul Calibur Legends. Although, I could do great with Mitsurugi in SC II and III yet inexplicably suck with him in Legends. Hm.

Mitsurugi, Kilik, Nightmare. Yeah, bring it.

[Avatar of Justice]

I find the new character designs silly and think the game has turned into Dead or Alive by adding that many female characters to the cast.

[Wacky]

They're simply catering for the nerdy fanboy demographic.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I find the new character designs silly and think the game has turned into Dead or Alive by adding that many female characters to the cast.

But they are not in the main cast. They're designed by guest designers. Female designs tends to dominate the manga scene nowadays so it only makes sense. Maybe they should have mandated a few male characters too.

[JCvgluvr]

On the sad note, I wish that you could have Vader and Yoda on one console.

It's called "Downloadable content." Give it time.

[RealFolkBlues]

Wow, I'm surprised there isn't more Star Wars inclusion hate. I've pretty much come to terms with it, though, as I realized that Mitsu blocking Vader is about as realistic as Talim blocking Astaroth. Also, Jedi are sweet.

As for the lots of similar characters, such is the cost of being a successful fighting game series. I mean, damn, Alpha 3? Great game, fully half the characters clones. Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3? Ridiculous.

Overall, really damned excited. Getting my limited edition like a true fanboy first day next week.

My Mitsurugi is formidable, as is my Astaroth. You are all on in a major way come MAGFest 7.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Who cares about the Star Wars characters? They're cool throw-ins that are just there for the hell of being there, like Heihachi, Spawn, and Link. I had no idea video games had to make sense 100% of the time.

If you don't like 'em, you could always you know, not use 'em or not even buy the game.

[RealFolkBlues]

Didn't you hear? Soul Cal is serious business.













In other words, I'm a hardcore SC fanboy who's afraid of change.

[rem]

Someone should just post the character designs and we can debate what we don't like about them. Will that someone be you?

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I'm likin' the character designs so far.


So what? I'm a guy. Deal with it.

[Ramaniscence]

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


There was a never a Soul Calibur with Cassandra and NOT Sophitia....in fact Sophitia has been in all over them.


Nightmare and Seigfriend have VERY different moves. They hardly have anything even SIMILIAR anymore....

Same goes for Cassy and Sophie.....


Same goes for Rock and Astaroth......


In fact, those 2 have never really been similiar.



Also: RealFolkBlues is going down at M7. I'm gonna be on my a-game FOR SHOW this time.

[Bleck]

lizardman is still da best

[DarkeSword]

Same goes for Cassy and Sophie.....

Yeah. As a Cassandra player, I can tell you that I'm absolutely helpless as Sophitia.

[Wacky]

My best characters in Soul Cal are Xianghua, Mitsurugi and Taki. There's pretty much no similarity in how they play. Except I get a lot more angry and shout incomprehensibly when I am playing as mitsurugi.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Strangely, I like Lizardman for his prominent (EXTREME SARCASM) role in Tower of Druaga. Oh, and the Red Crystal Rod and Blue Crystal Rod for Cassandra and Sophitia. That's pretty high level of nerd-dom involved to know the Druaga tie-in for Soul Calibur, but I like it. More Druaga please.

[Linkjing Donuts]

ahaha i'm drawn to seong-mina. people tell me kilik is better, and i used to be a kilik user, but i dunno


i think i like boobs

[Aninymouse]

Fuck yeah seong mi-na! Remember that weapon she had in the first game? The one that looked like a millstone with spikes coming out of it? Awwwwwww yeah. That one needs to come back, even if they just give it to Rock.

[The wingless]

So listen up you unlucky bitches. I've had SoulCal IV since Friday.

here's the basic rundown


-You'll need to virtually relearn everything you know about your original gameplay. As in all new SC's, the movelists range from mildly tweaked (Sigfried) to total reconstruction (Ivy). But more than that, it's the timing that will take the most getting used to. SC4 is dramatically slower, which ultimately is for the better. It removes the wait-and-spam sort of mentality from III and replaces it with a much more deliberate and cerebral affair.

-The Soul Crushes and critical finishers have a very minor role in gameplay. Soulcrushing happens with remarkable infrequency. I've pumped about 6 hours into the game, and maybe have Soul Crushed 4 or 5 times. It's probably an addition that makes more of an impact in human versus matches over long time.

-Armor destruction adds a bit more to the game, but mostly against human opponents. Armor is divided into high, mid, and low. By destroying armor in a specific area, you get a damage bonus. The interesting dynamic is if you have your low armor destroyed, odds are your opponent will focus much more heavily on low sweeps, making them predictable. Also, it looks sweet on female characters

-the Apprentice is the most powerful destructive force in the known galaxy. He's almost in the realm of SNK-boss material.

-Hilde is really interesting and beautiful to play as. Amy, aside from her lovely character design, is more or less a direct Raphael rip.

-Oh, and to repeat, I've been playing the game since Friday. I like to rub it in. You white folks gots it comin'



And now I'm off to spend some quantity time with Mazedude and Zyko!

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Wingless hate forthcoming from the non-white! :whatevaa:

[Bleck]

I love the wingless

I wish the wingless could be my ringtone

[Tables]

Seeing one of the gameplay videos, I remembered one key consistent thing about Darth Vader: He looks and sounds awesome, but his fighting "style" is lame and basic. That makes me feel better, anyway, about having a 360.

[Aninymouse]

So... wingless. Who do you like to play as right now? I've always been a Yoshimitsu kinda guy, myself.

Oddly enough, I hate Tekken games despite Yoshimitsu. He's usually a better character in the Soul games anyway.

[The Pezman]

This is why Guilty Gear kicks ass.

No characters could possibly be mistaken for one another, in terms of either apperance or fighting style.

The problem with it is most likely the opposite: that they don't change enough.

[I-n-j-i-n]

This is why Guilty Gear kicks ass.

No characters could possibly be mistaken for one another, in terms of either apperance or fighting style.

The problem with it is most likely the opposite: that they don't change enough.

I don't think people can complain when we're still seeing a near 40 character roster for the game. And the way you can customize all the characters' wardrobes and the deal with the create a soul feature.

That said, I do think it's a bit of a waste that they didn't add a whole lot of new fighting styles. They basically added two or three. They could have covered all the conventional weaponry if they truly wanted to, and the create-a-soul characters can only use other characters' movesets which is a bit of a waste. I hear that's why a lot of gamers are saying the create a character feature in the recent Mortal Kombat is better. Because you can also change the movesets.

[The wingless]

So... wingless. Who do you like to play as right now? I've always been a Yoshimitsu kinda guy, myself.

Oddly enough, I hate Tekken games despite Yoshimitsu. He's usually a better character in the Soul games anyway.

Cassandra was always my A character, and she still is in 4. Sophitia used to be my solid B, but not so much anymore.

I play alot of Amy, simply because I love her character design, and Hilde because of her character design and her tactical novelty (good at long range, good at short range, not particularly great at either). Side note: in fighting games, I typically pick the character I'm most attracted to. That's why you'll rarely find me playing as a dood.

Also the Create-a-Fighter feature is paradoxically robust and limited. It's robust in the sense that you get a wide variety of gear to put on them and the models are all superbly rendered. If you have a good eye, you can make some truly stunning creations. You can also tweak their stats to a degree almost unheard of outside of most American RPGs.

That said, create-a-fighter is limited because you basically create clones of existing characters. Gone are the wonky Swordsman, Dancer, etc, fighting styles from SC3. Now you make a character based off an existing fighting style. So my character can be as crazy looking as I want, but it WILL be a Astaroth clone, a Ivy clone, a Cassandra clone, etc.

Also, the stats and perks system integrated into the game is poorly executed. Each character comes with a multitude of stats, probably 7 in all. Each piece of armor you add changes any number of these stats. Whatever weapon you have equipped will change your stats. You can then place perks on your character if they have enough points in that specific stat. So for example, if I have high enough Gauge, I can equip a perk that will make me heal every time I hit a player.

The problem with this system is that, to truly maximize a character, you HAVE to deck them out with every conceivable piece of armor you can find. So if you want to create a character that's aesthetically minimal, they will be comparatively inferior to a character that's bundled up for winter in Maine. also the perks are thrown at you right from the beginning with any real fanfare or explanation. It's alot to take in, and much of it doesn't quite register with you as you're getting your face pounded in by The Apprentice.

[The Joker]

About the only thing I've heard that makes me kinda nervous about buying this game, is that I'm gonna have to relearn Ivy, if wingless is to be believed. Which sucks, because I used to rule with her. I'ma get it regardless!

[Bleck]

The problem with this system is that, to truly maximize a character, you HAVE to deck them out with every conceivable piece of armor you can find. So if you want to create a character that's aesthetically minimal, they will be comparatively inferior to a character that's bundled up for winter in Maine. also the perks are thrown at you right from the beginning with any real fanfare or explanation. It's alot to take in, and much of it doesn't quite register with you as you're getting your face pounded in by The Apprentice.

Fuck, I was afraid of this.

[anosou]

Fuck, I was afraid of this.

They should add a VS. mode without perks like Special VS. that doesn't add Weapon Bonuses (and in this case, not stats) so you can play your Creates like there's no tomorrow!

[Arek the Absolute]

so basically like sc2 where you could use the weapon effects or not


agreed....

[anosou]

so basically like sc2 where you could use the weapon effects or not


agreed....

Pretty much exactly what I said yes :)

I checked out some trailers and yeah, I'm looking forward to getting my copy tomorrow. I've always been a creat-a-char freak, even in crappy games like dynasty warriors 5: empires, so this will probably be heaven for me.

If I go to magfest I'll kick your ass in this game.

[The wingless]

They have a vanilla versus mode with no weapon effects

Problem is that Story mode and Tower of Lost Souls (SC4's rather enjoyable and creative alternative to its RTS minigame in SC3) all use weapon effects by default. So in TWO of the game's THREE single player modes, you're locked with weapon effects, passive perks, and active abilities you trigger by taunting.

Although to be fair, the dynamism these perks create when stacked can really change the flow of combat.

[Aninymouse]

You know, besides the fact that I love his voice acting and quirky animations, do you know why I chose to play as Yoshimitsu? I got sick of being beaten to a pulp by mid-level Ivy players, and I found that Yoshimitsu could go toe-to-toe with that bitch.

I have a serious grudge against Ivy...

[JCvgluvr]

That said, create-a-fighter is limited because you basically create clones of existing characters. Gone are the wonky Swordsman, Dancer, etc, fighting styles from SC3. Now you make a character based off an existing fighting style. So my character can be as crazy looking as I want, but it WILL be a Astaroth clone, a Ivy clone, a Cassandra clone, etc.

The problem with this system is that, to truly maximize a character, you HAVE to deck them out with every conceivable piece of armor you can find. So if you want to create a character that's aesthetically minimal, they will be comparatively inferior to a character that's bundled up for winter in Maine. also the perks are thrown at you right from the beginning with any real fanfare or explanation. It's alot to take in, and much of it doesn't quite register with you as you're getting your face pounded in by The Apprentice.

Well, that's quite disappointing...:|

[Scufo]

That said, create-a-fighter is limited because you basically create clones of existing characters. Gone are the wonky Swordsman, Dancer, etc, fighting styles from SC3. Now you make a character based off an existing fighting style. So my character can be as crazy looking as I want, but it WILL be a Astaroth clone, a Ivy clone, a Cassandra clone, etc.

Am I the only on who thinks this is a good thing? SC3 had a lot of balance issues, in part because there were so many movesets what with all the create-a-character ones. Without them, the devs can focus more on the main characters' movesets without worrying about balancing upwards of 10-15 more that you won't even see in the main story. That's my theory anyway.

[Ramaniscence]

Am I the only on who thinks this is a good thing? SC3 had a lot of balance issues, in part because there were so many movesets what with all the create-a-character ones. Without them, the devs can focus more on the main characters' movesets without worrying about balancing upwards of 10-15 more that you won't even see in the main story. That's my theory anyway.

Yea, I was already thinking this. People are complaining because Soul Calibur doesn't have a more dynamic moves set...well yea but that would make it less and less balanced. That's why you never see something like Mortal Kombat having any real serious tournament play.

[Bleck]

That's why you never see something like Mortal Kombat having any real serious tournament play.

oh and here I thought it was just because it's slow and terrible

[Broken]

oh and here I thought it was just because it's slow and terrible

Very witty and full of constructive criticism to boot.
You should start review games for a living.

[Bleck]

You should start review games for a living.

you should teach english for a living

I bet you will be just as good as whomever taught you

[majinbell]

Me n my friend have been playin this since last week thursday or friday.. i forget. but yeah, I have to say, although im no soul calibur lover, i do like it alot, especially SCIII and so it did take me a long time to get use to SC4.
As stated before, theres quite afew changes. one of my biggest complaints was the inclusion of ~new~ characters. i mean, Darf and Yoda arnt really new, theyve been around longer than I have, the apprentice is pretty amazingly flashy and cool, but i cant use him for crap. amy was in III and the 'bonus' characters just use other peoples movesets (for example, the robo girlie is astroth). so really, its just hilde and the boss dude (who is pretty much a game end kind of guy 8O) but then again, there are some main characters who have changed sooo much, that they are like new characters anyway. my main dude in III, yung, is almost totally different. gone is his slide back stances and moves, and nearly every other move to be honest. its like, they have stripped everyone of what they feel were unnessiccary, but thats left them with like 3 moves each ¬_¬ but, once you get used to it, you realise that this isnt soul calibur III. yung is infact (as i like to class him) a speed and crush type. hes quick (well.. quick for SC4 anyways) but his moves (espesh his forward triangle combo) are designed to crush your guard and soul gauge as soon as possible, allowing you to do his... unique.. critical KO with more ease than say, talim who would be speed and techniqe.
I think thats really it. just get used to the new type of gameplay, as it is different from all the others.
on a side note, as amazingly customizable the create a characters are, and as kool as they look in battle, make sure your underwear isnt an embarrising colour, cause as soon as your lower guard is destroyed, you can wave goodbye to your trousers :oops:

[atmuh]

pirates rofl

[Broken]

you should teach english for a living

I bet you will be just as good as whomever taught you

Son of a bitch, I hate it when my anger posts have bad grammar. Oh well, you got me.

[Zombie]

Will pick this up tomorrow (hopefully). It has been forever since i played any of the Soul Calibur games (the last one i played was SC2 on my gamecube) so i will most likely suck. :|

[majinbell]

pirates rofl

lol no way, we payed the full £40, we just know some people who work at a game shop who got there stock last week and sold afew 'early' copies :)

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

One thing I've learned on the internet:

There's always something to bitch about.

[Mirby]

I can't wait to play this at my friend's house. Create-a-Soul sounds awesome; I'm importing my SC3 character into it. Also, can't wait to annihate as everyone's favorite undead pirate, Cervantes!

[Strike911]

I wasn't really intending to buy this until I saw the character creation thing.

Wow. There are some really cool custom chars out there.

...everyone's favorite undead pirate ...

Barbosa? Oh, Jerry Bruckheimer, how you've ruined my life...

[Bleck]

Me n my friend have been playin this since last week thursday or friday.. i forget. but yeah, I have to say, although im no soul calibur lover, i do like it alot, especially SCIII and so it did take me a long time to get use to SC4.
As stated before, theres quite afew changes. one of my biggest complaints was the inclusion of ~new~ characters. i mean, Darf and Yoda arnt really new, theyve been around longer than I have, the apprentice is pretty amazingly flashy and cool, but i cant use him for crap. amy was in III and the 'bonus' characters just use other peoples movesets (for example, the robo girlie is astroth). so really, its just hilde and the boss dude (who is pretty much a game end kind of guy 8O) but then again, there are some main characters who have changed sooo much, that they are like new characters anyway. my main dude in III, yung, is almost totally different. gone is his slide back stances and moves, and nearly every other move to be honest. its like, they have stripped everyone of what they feel were unnessiccary, but thats left them with like 3 moves each ¬_¬ but, once you get used to it, you realise that this isnt soul calibur III. yung is infact (as i like to class him) a speed and crush type. hes quick (well.. quick for SC4 anyways) but his moves (espesh his forward triangle combo) are designed to crush your guard and soul gauge as soon as possible, allowing you to do his... unique.. critical KO with more ease than say, talim who would be speed and techniqe.
I think thats really it. just get used to the new type of gameplay, as it is different from all the others.
on a side note, as amazingly customizable the create a characters are, and as kool as they look in battle, make sure your underwear isnt an embarrising colour, cause as soon as your lower guard is destroyed, you can wave goodbye to your trousers :oops:

jesus fucking christ

[RealFolkBlues]

To begin with, I've had the game since WEDNESDAY! Bwahahahaha! Thank you awesome mom & pop stores who break street date.

That having been said, it reminds me of the transition from SCI to SCII. It's on new game systems and thus there's a technical overhaul but not really a huge new supply of content. It's more a refinement of the core gameplay that's different here. Like wingless said, lots of tweaks here and there. My boy Mitsurugi's fairly similar, though they have changed a few things for Astaroth (nerfed Poseidon Tide Rush-can't really blame them for that.)

I personally don't mind that there aren't create-a-fighter weapon styles. They were all mostly broken remixes of moves from other, more fleshed-out sytles. Who likes remixes, anyway?

No crap talking before matches is kind of lame, if understandable, and I haven't yet unlocked a character to fulfill the old Inferno/Edge Master/Charade/Olcadan role of a different style each round, but otherwise, I'm pretty happy. You are definitely on, Rama et al, at M7 because I'm gonna work like no hours this year. You had a pretty good Siegfried, didn't you Rama?

[Aninymouse]

My boy Mitsurugi's fairly similar, though they have changed a few things for Astaroth (nerfed Poseidon Tide Rush-can't really blame them for that.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/ANinyMouse/1178778398603-1.jpg

Mitsurugi has been my alt so far, so that's good to hear. He's so much fun to play as, but I like Yoshi's variety better.

It's a bummer they nerfed Poseidon Tide Rush, because that move just made you feel like a total badass for getting it off... like Calamity Symphony. I hate Ivy, but I gotta admit, that move is insane.

[Broken]

So, any word on Yun Seung/ Hwang? Yun was my main in SCII and I liked Hwang in I.

[Aninymouse]

last i read hwang was out, but yun seong looks pretty fast.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I'm scared of the news that Yoda is completely broken since you can't throw him or hit him with horizontal strikes. So basically 90% of serious Soul Calibur players will probably stay with Yoda online.

[Hector]

I've heard only good things about Lord Vader so far though.

[anosou]

I'm scared of the news that Yoda is completely broken since you can't throw him or hit him with horizontal strikes. So basically 90% of serious Soul Calibur players will probably stay with Yoda online.

lol. that is all.

EDIT: oh, and I know who my main is going to be.. you just can't deny this:

http://www.deeko.com/images/articles/e2-2k7-ivygag.jpg

[rem]

I'm scared of the news that Yoda is completely broken since you can't throw him or hit him with horizontal strikes. So basically 90% of serious Soul Calibur players will probably stay with Yoda online.

So I came back from Comic Con having played this for like 20 minutes. While I enjoyed the gameplay, I feel that Injin does make a good point. I could not for the life of me hit Yoda effectively with many of the characters. I'm sure there's a way to play against him and that he's not an extremely broken character but it was pretty annoying.

[Schwaltzvald]

I could not for the life of me hit Yoda effectively with many of the characters. I'm sure there's a way to play against him and that he's not an extremely broken character but it was pretty annoying.

Oh god the gamers are gonna feel this one :lol:

The imminent shitstorm of yoda as a broken character breaking SCIV is upon us. :lol:

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

It'll be the equivalent to Mario Kart DS' snaking if this is true...

And Ivy's breasts just look old. :-(

[The wingless]

I haven't played alot with yoda but I know that

1.) he is completely immune to just about every throw, since his hit box is below the default grab height

2.) His grab range is incredible, since he literally jumps at you for a grab

3. Most horizontals go above him, relegating you to all lows or verticals


Yoda has some severe disadvantages too, like at a certain distance, he's actually quite cumbersome. He relies upon his insane air combos and close range to do significant damage. But still... with all his default characteristics, he's uniquely challenging

But he's still shit compared to the Apprentice. That's the n-word you all should be looking out for.

[JCvgluvr]

Yeah, I'm sure that nobody at Bamco thought about Yoda's height causing problems...

He'll be just fine. Anyone with a shred of skill will take care of Yoda, just like any other character they fight against.

Just picked up this game today, and I couldn't be happier!

[Fenrir]

jesus fucking christ

Beat me to it. Goddamn.

[rem]

Beat me to it. Goddamn.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j259/LokiSeraph/Random/89hzk2t.png

I just wanted to say that this sig doesn't make a lot of sense. It assumes that Samus has a penis.

[JCvgluvr]

I can't use Mitsurugi anymore. Is it Bamco's fault or mine?

[Aninymouse]

I can't use Mitsurugi anymore. Is it Bamco's fault or mine?

Practice Mode.

[Bigfoot]

So Yoda is the new Odd Job?

[JCvgluvr]

It depends on what you mean by that.

I looked at every single one of M's moves in practice, and it just gave me a headache.

[Ramaniscence]

So, if anyone has a PS3, and wants to lose (and isn't RealFolkBlues) holla at me.

...despite Mitsu nerf -_-

At least Seigfriend is relatively untouched.

[Broken]

From what I've heard so far about Yoda, it sounds like he is similar to Gon from Tekken 3. Gon was too short for you to fight him like a normal character.

[The Coop]

EDIT: oh, and I know who my main is going to be.. you just can't deny this:

http://www.deeko.com/images/articles/e2-2k7-ivygag.jpg

Yet they can deny gravity. Surely they're from another world!

[Bleck]

From what I've heard so far about Yoda, it sounds like he is similar to Gon from Tekken 3. Gon was too short for you to fight him like a normal character.

He was also cheap as hell.

[The wingless]

Eh, it doesn't matter. The general consensus is that soulcal's new online mode is awful. And I don't mean it's options. I mean the connectivity is poop-dick.

It's not like lag where you see your guy jitter and shimmy and shake. Everything *looks* fine, but 66% of your inputs feels like they're being ignored. So you get whole matches of people doing their vert-vert or horiz-horiz attacks ALL the time and blocking nothing.

Just terrible online architecture

[Bleck]

If anyone actually was innocent enough to hope that a fighting game would have a good online mode, you have my sympathies.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I heard the online play still works pretty satisfactorily for the most part. Obviously not as good a netcode as Dead or Alive 4's but still. I think the consensus is split on how good the online play is.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Generally speaking, if you have ass for an internet connection then you're gonna have ass for an experience.

[Schwaltzvald]

Makes me glad I've gone for the PS3 version :)!!

Don't have a PS3 just yet as I'm waiting for the 80GB version coming out in August

[muzikal-phoenix]

I heard the online play still works pretty satisfactorily for the most part. Obviously not as good a netcode as Dead or Alive 4's but still. I think the consensus is split on how good the online play is.

^.^DOA4 ^.^

*back to the topic*

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

DOA4 had awesome online play. I wish SCIV would have a lobby, but oh well.

[The wingless]

Generally speaking, if you have ass for an internet connection then you're gonna have ass for an experience.

Wow. Really? Thank you, oh ceaseless font of wisdom.

Get that shit off my thread!

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Wow. Really? Thank you, oh ceaseless font of wisdom.

It's what I do. :-D

But seriously, everyone I've talked to who owns the game have said that it's been relatively smooth, which leaves me to believe that a less-than-stellar connection isn't gonna provide the best experience. I'm not saying it's not their fault for not taking that into account however.

[The wingless]

I've played online with a co-worker, both of us with decent connections, in the same AREA CODE, and the things still played like shit.

Where are your obvious and forgettable facts now? Hmmm? HMMM!?!?!?!?

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

...I... Don't have anything to say. :-(

[Ramaniscence]

I'm getting REALLY annoyed with playing rated matches where my attacks land a SOLID SECOND after I press the fricken buttons. It hasn't happened to me often, but when it does...........

I'm tired of losing to terrible people because of fricken lag

[atmuh]

I'm getting REALLY annoyed with playing rated matches where my attacks land a SOLID SECOND after I press the fricken buttons. It hasn't happened to me often, but when it does...........

I'm tired of losing to terrible people because of fricken lag

welcome to atmuhs smash bros life
although i dont lose to terrible people ever

[JCvgluvr]

So, I think I might abandon Mitsurugi for The Apprentice instead. He's got good combos, quick dash moves, a ring-out grab, and purty fireworks! That, and he's just plain bad***.

[BardicKnowledge]

Levitation combos (including lightning!) on The Apprentice makes him crazy. Not to mention his 4B which just spikes ringouts like it's his job.

Yoda's repeating infinite Force chains are a worthy contender though...

[Bleck]

I am pretty sure that The Apprentice is just broken

[JCvgluvr]

Not to mention his 4B which just spikes ringouts like it's his job.

Please explain this "4B" business. I'm not familiar with the terminology.

[Aninymouse]

"4" as in the position on the clock face.

[Gollgagh]

wtf no

Look again at the position of 4 on a clockface and tell me it makes sense.

I'm pretty sure it's 4 as on a keypad.

So that would be Back-B.

[Zaid]

I've played online with a co-worker, both of us with decent connections, in the same AREA CODE, and the things still played like shit.

Where are your obvious and forgettable facts now? Hmmm? HMMM!?!?!?!?

Don't have a period over his head.


But ya, the online play is a bit ridiculous.

[JCvgluvr]

wtf no

Look again at the position of 4 on a clockface and tell me it makes sense.

I'm pretty sure it's 4 as on a keypad.

So that would be Back-B.

I thought that might be it.

Question, why is the AI in this game so inconsistent? Sometimes a TOLS floor gives me hell, but on my very next try it's pretty simple to overcome. Bipolar much, SC4? :?

[Aninymouse]

...keypad? in MY console/arcade fighter?

It's more likely than you think.

OR

LOL CELL PHONE GAMES.

OR

Guy seriously I use a pulse-type phone stop discriminating against my brand of technology how an I supposed to understand this reference?

[Bleck]

anyone who actually plays games on a cell phone needs to be melted

don't even get me started on the ngage

[I-n-j-i-n]

So I played around 30 online matches, and I wonder where all the gripe is coming from. Maybe I just have a good connection or something because I even got around to guard-parrying 10 times in one match without a problem. Also, only 5 of the 30 matches had any disturbing/noticeable lag. I had a lot of fun playing online and coming across freakish create a soul characters.


My only gripes with the whole game:

- Everything is slower. Soul Calibur 2 had it perfect and now it's a crawl. Talim feels just as slow as Nightmare...

- Not as many extras. No real biography/story feature, no quest mode, barely the fraction of the great artwork you could find in Soul Calibur 1 (seriously, why are there lesser and lesser artwork in the games? SC1 had the most, SC2 had fewer, SC3 fewer, SC4 fewer still).

- Music is pretty much atrocious. I can't hum a single tune basically. Again, Soul Calibur 2 basically was the epitome as far as the music goes.

- Everything is pretty garish in design. Too many bold colors, overly designed outfits and the boss has none of the refined style you get from most boss characters. Actually, Namco fighting game bosses are almost always garish and silly looking.


Other than that, I haven't really played anything this polished in a while. At least since DOA4 and Virtua Fighter 5.

Guy seriously I use a pulse-type phone stop discriminating against my brand of technology how an I supposed to understand this reference?

But it's the only discernible numerical note you can have for directions other than the airplane clock directions which would just make things more complicated. I think thy were using the numerical directions since the earlier SNK fighting games since they relied on such complex moves. And it stuck for all fighting game move notations.

[JCvgluvr]

anyone who actually plays games on a cell phone needs to be melted

What about Tetris? Is that allowed?

- Everything is slower. Soul Calibur 2 had it perfect and now it's a crawl. Talim feels just as slow as Nightmare...

Too true. While I don't personally find it to be a big deal, it's an ever-present peeve. It's screwing up some of my Apprentice combos!


- Not as many extras. No real biography/story feature, no quest mode, barely the fraction of the great artwork you could find in Soul Calibur 1 (seriously, why are there lesser and lesser artwork in the games? SC1 had the most, SC2 had fewer, SC3 fewer, SC4 fewer still).

While this is a shame, it makes sense. Only the truly hardcore fans would appreciate artwork and the like. Since that audience is small, Bamco figured that the effort wouldn't generate enough praise from consumers. It just wasn't worth it to them.

- Music is pretty much atrocious. I can't hum a single tune basically. Again, Soul Calibur 2 basically was the epitome as far as the music goes.

I'm pretty sure that I heard a couple of SC2 songs in a few stages. Other than that, the new music is quite forgettable. I think we're better off finding SC2 songs on websites and putting them in the game ourselves. Either that, or other good songs (like metal or something).

[Bleck]

okay Tetris and possibly Snake is allowed

[BardicKnowledge]

Please explain this "4B" business. I'm not familiar with the terminology.

The explanations given so far are correct -- reference your keypad. The reason to give numerical directions is quite simple, if you look at Ivy's Calamity Symphony throw:

Using standard notation, one describes how to perform it as Down/Forward-Down-Down/Back-Back-Down/Forward-Up/Forward-Down/Back A+G.

With numbers, it becomes 3214391A+G. Much easier to read, really. And whoever posted earlier about this being a big problem with SNK fighters is correct -- some of those desperation moves from the old days are damn near impossible to do.

[DJ Mighty]

just got the game yesterday, did a quick practice with Xianghua and ran through Arcade real quick. So far i love it. Not as fast as 1&2 but i still enjoyed it alot. I havent played the series in a long time so it will take me some time to get good again with it. I have it for PS3 and ill post my PSN name when i set it up. Ill prob get my ass kicked but you have to learn some how!

[Bleck]

Using standard notation, one describes how to perform it as Down/Forward-Down-Down/Back-Back-Down/Forward-Up/Forward-Down/Back A+G.

With numbers, it becomes 3214391A+G. Much easier to read, really.

No actually is the word number '3' and the word 'Down' had a contest in which they determined which word was most similar to 'Down' I am pretty sure 'Down' would win

Not to mention if this is a cellphone keypad then why is 3 Down

[DarkeSword]

Not your cellphone keypad. The numbers are based on a computer's numpad.

789
456
123

[Aninymouse]

My laptop doesn't have such a button configuration. `1234567890-= only.

It's like... the only computer I ever use. No wonder I goofed.

[JCvgluvr]

So, does anyone think the new music DLC from the original SoCal is worth it? Or are we better off procuring that soundtrack thru other means.

What music are you listening to during SC4? I haven't decided to replace the regular tracks with my 360's mp3s just yet.

[Dervish]

Hey, does anybody know any moves that can chain into Astaroth's 28B+G air-grab powerbomb? The only ones I've found so far are the standard 3[B] ~ 28B+G and the command throw 63214 B+G ~ 28B+G. But the move is just so awesome that I want more ways to do it!

Also, anybody know if it's possible to nail The Apprentice with it during his levitating tricks?

[I-n-j-i-n]

So, does anyone think the new music DLC from the original SoCal is worth it? Or are we better off procuring that soundtrack thru other means.

What music are you listening to during SC4? I haven't decided to replace the regular tracks with my 360's mp3s just yet.

The total soundtrack pricing comes to around $15. Sounds pretty ridiculous to me, when the costume DLC is only 100 points ($2 or so?).

Also, this game is so much fun even when losing badly to opponents online. Just playing a foil that is.

[Ramaniscence]

NO ONE FROM HAS MESSAGED ME TO GET BEAT BY THE PIDE PIPER OF SOUL CALIBUR YET!

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v274/27/73/68127105/n68127105_35421673_1313.jpg

I was so happy with my R. Kelly, and I've been googling "R. Kelly Soul Calibur" to see if anything while popup on the internet, adn then I found this (http://stuff.tv/blogs/gaming/archive/2008/07/31/soul-calibur-iv-character-creator-takes-a-turn-toward-the-strange.aspx).

Either I'm unoriginal by accident, or they got wind of mine :(, either way, mine was made 2 days before that article AND HE'LL ALWAYS BEEN ORIGINAL TOO ME.

Mine looks better too :(

Seriously though, fight me. My thirst for Soul Calibur competition is insatiable.

[Broken]

I'm getting REALLY annoyed with playing rated matches where my attacks land a SOLID SECOND after I press the fricken buttons. It hasn't happened to me often, but when it does...........

I'm tired of losing to terrible people because of fricken lag

I won't take online multiplayer in any fighting game seriously until developers start using GGPO or 2dFreeplay's code.

On second thought, I don't think I'll ever take online multiplayer in fighting games seriously.

[Gollgagh]

NO ONE FROM HAS MESSAGED ME TO GET BEAT BY THE PIDE PIPER OF SOUL CALIBUR YET!

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v274/27/73/68127105/n68127105_35421673_1313.jpg

I was so happy with my R. Kelly, and I've been googling "R. Kelly Soul Calibur" to see if anything while popup on the internet, adn then I found this (http://stuff.tv/blogs/gaming/archive/2008/07/31/soul-calibur-iv-character-creator-takes-a-turn-toward-the-strange.aspx).

Either I'm unoriginal by accident, or they got wind of mine :(, either way, mine was made 2 days before that article AND HE'LL ALWAYS BEEN ORIGINAL TOO ME.

Mine looks better too :(

Seriously though, fight me. My thirst for Soul Calibur competition is insatiable.

why is the pic flipped

[Ramaniscence]

why is the pic flipped

Photobooth automatically mirrors pictures so they're like...what you see in a mirror? It's probably an option somewhere but I'm lazy.

[The Coop]

NO ONE FROM HAS MESSAGED ME TO GET BEAT BY THE PIDE PIPER OF SOUL CALIBUR YET!

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v274/27/73/68127105/n68127105_35421673_1313.jpg

I was so happy with my R. Kelly, and I've been googling "R. Kelly Soul Calibur" to see if anything while popup on the internet, adn then I found this (http://stuff.tv/blogs/gaming/archive/2008/07/31/soul-calibur-iv-character-creator-takes-a-turn-toward-the-strange.aspx).

Either I'm unoriginal by accident, or they got wind of mine :(, either way, mine was made 2 days before that article AND HE'LL ALWAYS BEEN ORIGINAL TOO ME.

Mine looks better too :(

Seriously though, fight me. My thirst for Soul Calibur competition is insatiable.

Does he have a move where he takes a piss on his opponent?

[Ramaniscence]

Does he have a move where he takes a piss on his opponent?

76.25% of the time. >_>

[JCvgluvr]

I'm going to find the man/team that designed floor 50 of Tower of Lost Souls.

And when I do, I'll rip his chest open with my bare hands, tear his still-beating heart out, fling it on the ground, and squish it with the ball of my foot!!!

/rage.

[mr.wholesome]

Within 5 minutes I had Ivy down to her undergarments rapidly flicking through her poses as to get the breast judder. "Crazy breast physics provided by havok"? or something. "ooh aren't you cheeky" *atomicfap*

Point being the menus are really easy to understand and navigate.

[Bleck]

hey guys I thought they said they would lessen the ring outs

[Ramaniscence]

hey guys I thought they said they would lessen the ring outs

They definitely did...but only by a VERY small ammount. They made it a LOT harder for Mitsurugi to get a ring out, but for people like Taki is seems just as easy, and for Nightmare it seems EASIER THAN EVER. -_-

[Aninymouse]

Big, fat guys in Soul games tend to be good at ring outs.

If this is not true, it should be.

[I-n-j-i-n]

They definitely did...but only by a VERY small ammount. They made it a LOT harder for Mitsurugi to get a ring out, but for people like Taki is seems just as easy, and for Nightmare it seems EASIER THAN EVER. -_-

I think the rate is just about the same for Nightmare. But still, out of the 100 matches I've played so far, ring outs are extremely rare. I mean, out of all the 100 or so, I've only remembered 10 ringouts. And they tend to be pretty hilarious because they NEVER happen. I actually did a few finishing moves, so the rate is incredibly rare I'd say.

Also, too much people dramatizing the online play. Even when it's laggy, the compensation is there so it's definitely playable. And after all the matches where I was able to accurately counter and parry opponents online, even against pretty good players, I honestly never had more fun with a fighting game online.

[Bleck]

fuck anyone who plays as talim

fuck them

mitsurugi 4 lyfe

[Aninymouse]

My sister's 8 years younge than me. She could consistantly kick my sorry ass as Talim in SCII...

[anosou]

I'm going to find the man/team that designed floor 50 of Tower of Lost Souls.

And when I do, I'll rip his chest open with my bare hands, tear his still-beating heart out, fling it on the ground, and squish it with the ball of my foot!!!

/rage.

What he said but with floor 58/59 :'(


I've been playing like a fat man eats cake lately and well, I like it. I still have to get back in the SC-groove and start making guard-impacts without thinking but I'm getting there. Online mode is.. meh.. but hopefully some updates will make it better in the future.

oh, Astaroth kicks even more ass since he got his stomp-the-ground-throws :3

[Bleck]

astaroth takes the award for most hilarious move

The Hitler Walk

[anosou]

Hey, does anybody know any moves that can chain into Astaroth's 28B+G air-grab powerbomb? The only ones I've found so far are the standard 3[B] ~ 28B+G and the command throw 63214 B+G ~ 28B+G. But the move is just so awesome that I want more ways to do it!

66A, B ~ 28B+G
22/88B, 4 ~ 28B+G

that's my main uses for it anyway. Didn't think about 63214B+G so thanks for that one. Don't forget you can also use standard A+B airgrab from all of these set-ups to vary stuff up. A+B gives more options after use too.

[JCvgluvr]

Hitler walk is pimpin.

[Ramaniscence]

Fuck man. Being over level 40 sucks. You lose 80 points for a loss and only get like 60 for a win on average -_-

[JCvgluvr]

I started playing online today. I'm not pleased with the results of my 12 or so matches...-_-'

However, I played against this friggen awesome CAS of Siegfried. It's armor was blue and silver. Unfortunately it kicked my butt into next saturday. Twice. But at least I gave him a run for his money the second time.

More importantly, lag was present in almost every single one of my 12 matches, and I'm the one who did the hosting for all but one of 'em. It was a minor inconvenience at best, and a game-breaker at worst.

Good news! I got past the nightmare that is Tower of Souls! (Lol, punz)

[Ramaniscence]

I started playing online today. I'm not pleased with the results of my 12 or so matches...-_-'

However, I played against this friggen awesome CAS of Siegfried. It's armor was blue and silver. Unfortunately it kicked my butt into next saturday. Twice. But at least I gave him a run for his money the second time.

More importantly, lag was present in almost every single one of my 12 matches, and I'm the one who did the hosting for all but one of 'em. It was a minor inconvenience at best, and a game-breaker at worst.

Good news! I got past the nightmare that is Tower of Souls! (Lol, punz)


Everytime I hosted a match I had really bad lag, and not the "jittery, skipping, frame freezing" kind that I can deal with, but the "I press a button and then the move happens a second later" kind. Now a days I just spam the auto-find thing whatever. I don't even look at the screen anymore i just sit there spamming the X button until the match starts (which has mad me pick Nightmare and Seigfriend a few times on accident -_-).

I'm up to rank 75 now, and I'd have to say I don't think I'm all THAT GOOD at Soul Calibur. I know I'm GOOD, but I think what's really going on here is most people are REALLY BAD....which is what I already assumed.

I'd say a good 1/3rd of my wins AT LEAST are gotten primarily by doing low sweeps and my opponents not being able how to figure out how to low block. It's gotten so bad my normal 10 move Mitsu strat is getting down to 2 or 3. Playing people online is making me WORSE. When I play my friends now I find myself having to relearn how to do everything else everytime :(, and then I get online and go back to sweeps D:

[JCvgluvr]

Nobody knows how to block low online. I noticed that too.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I block low all the time, but it's annoying when you try a low attack and someone whacks you over the head with a vertical attack.

I played around 40 matches just recently and I'm surprised I'm holding pretty good to almost all the matches, even with higher leveled, high win ratio opponents. If I'm going to die, I make sure I become the biggest pest possible by spamming them with all sorts of moves.

I hate how some high level players relegate to using a cheap up/down attack combo and spamming the same moves. I sometimes beat the hell out of them by parrying them though. Spammers deserve it.

[anosou]

I've yet to go online because of a crappy connection I can't seem to set up but when I do I bet I'll have trouble blocking low. Not because I'm a bad SC-player but because I'll be so used blocking high because of beginners ._.

Anyway, cleared Tower of Souls yesterday. Floor 57-59 is a bitch and I hate it. Have around 28 Honors. 2 More and it's party time!

FEAR THE MIGHTY ASTAROTH!

[Bleck]

so I've noticed that the character who seems to have the most players who enjoy being cheap fucksticks is Kilik

[Tables]

Wasn't he always?

[I-n-j-i-n]

It's that accursed swing that covers horizontal/vertical areas and sweeps high and low. I actually beat some Kilik players who did that, but it's really annoying to parry low.

[BardicKnowledge]

Hey, it's because Kilik is good if you know what you're doing (don't spam the standard three-hits, etc), though I admit I'm trying to adjust to Zasalamel instead because of the abundance of Kilik scrubs online. I just got my Gold account, so feel free to challenge me anytime starting Monday -- my ID on the 360 is MasterTenor.

[kupernikus]

Which platform should i pick this up on as o have both PS3 & 360. Id like to get another game for y ps3 as mgs4 is the only game i own on it. but what version is better? Sorry if i wordwd/punctuated this poorly. im postimg from my lg dare and im still getting used to it.

[Bleck]

360 because the PS3 is useless

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I'm willing to bet that you should get the 360 version since most people here probably own that one as well.

Also I just started playing the game later last week. This is the definitive Soul Calibur.

Win. Massive win.

[Aninymouse]

Now now, Bleck.

In a choice between the two versions, I think the choice comes down to two things:

I. Do you care about online? If yes, then:
A) Do you already pay for Live or would you be willing to? If no, then go with PS3.

II. Which controller do you prefer?
A) If you get an arcade pad, then it doesn't matter.

Personally, if I could get either, I'd get the PS3 version. The D-pad is "better" and Darth Vader is probably a "more fulfilling" character in that a lot of people think Yoda's kinda broken, as he can't be grabbed, ever. BUT I only have a 360 anyway, so for me there is no choice if I ever break down and get this game.

[Bleck]

Yoda and Darth Vader will eventually become DLC on either platform, so that point is moot anyways.

[Ramaniscence]

I prefer the PlayStation verson, too. The only REAL downfall is there's more people on XBOX360. Otherwise I'd say they're pretty much identical minus some voice chat options and the controls.

Also, boredom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpPlonnSWOo

Also availible in higher quality Vimeo video:
http://www.vimeo.com/1461844

[kupernikus]

well. Im currently paying for live. but my net is down because of an issue with my fiberoptics... I dont know how much id play online though. i suck at fighting games.

[Dervish]

MitsuR.kelly is awesome; and those online guys don't know what to do against his 3a wakeup game at all. Also, (since I've only played a couple times at friends' houses) is Mitsu's 2k still good?

[The wingless]

I prefer the PlayStation verson, too. The only REAL downfall is there's more people on XBOX360. Otherwise I'd say they're pretty much identical minus some voice chat options and the controls.

Also, boredom:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpPlonnSWOo

Also availible in higher quality Vimeo video:
http://www.vimeo.com/1461844

All your text makes you seem paradoxically like a whinny insecure little bitch and a tyrannical egomaniac. Nonetheless, your taste in music is immaculate.

[Ramaniscence]

All your text makes you seem paradoxically like a whinny insecure little bitch and a tyrannical egomaniac. Nonetheless, your taste in music is immaculate.
It's because I'm tired of a bunch of crappy YouTube comments like this. (http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=1j4VkAnHuOE&fromurl=/watch%3Fv%3D1j4VkAnHuOE) People never read the damn description, so I figured I'd just put it in the video.

[The wingless]

It matters little. I will destroy you, Rama
.
.
.
With my junk.

[JCvgluvr]

2 reasons why you should get the 360 version:

1) 360 because the PS3 is useless

2) Yoda and Darth Vader will eventually become DLC on either platform, so that point is moot anyways.

I enjoy it when the more vexing individuals of a message board finally get it right.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Looking at video comparisons, the color is again slightly duller for the PS3 version. As in very, very slightly, but that was the case for PS3/360 ports all the time.

Also, looking at PS3 online videos, the loading seems to be a bit longer too.

As for Mitsurugi and Kilik, they're the insufferable scrub/newbie/spam/broken characters of the game. You just need to learn maybe two or three types of moves and you're going to defeat everyone no matter how skilled they are.

[Ramaniscence]

Also, looking at PS3 online videos, the loading seems to be a bit longer too.

I just installed mine to my hard drive, now I have no load times at all...

Also: Spamming wouldn't be a huge problem if you could actually GI online, buttttt you pretty much can't.

[anosou]

X360 will support playing from harddrive shortly so I don't think loadings is an issue on any console when that comes. I prefer 360 for the ammount of people. Now if they'd just make XBL free :3

Add Anosou at XBL for some matches, just got my wireless network up running. Can't guarantee four-bar connection though :/

[DJ Mighty]

Still learning the game but im always up for a challenge.
I have it for PS3.
My PSN name is: Pter Prker

[Salluz]

Also, I still reckon I can murder you all with Xianghua. She's like a monkey on crack.
Just for making a thread on SC and comparing it to Tekken, you get 10 coolness points. I haven't learned anything about SC IV except that it exists, so lemme do the research.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I just installed mine to my hard drive, now I have no load times at all...

Also: Spamming wouldn't be a huge problem if you could actually GI online, buttttt you pretty much can't.

GI works only when the connection is really good and the opponent doesn't spam 24/7 with extremely fast characters like Amy. I think mashing buttons unexpectedly works really good online, though I just take my losses and play technically anyway.

PS- Is it just me, or is the online play just insanely addicting? I spent 3 hours on a long 60 game session and it felt like I only spent an hour. I think I need to stop playing this game for a while. All the new costumes, downloadable content, mastering characters.. I never really felt like this for any fighting game, ever.

[Stom]

"I never really felt like this for any fighting game, ever"

Awww, you're in love =)

Well, I cant offer much regadring this game seeing I dont own any of the consoles its on, but I enjoyed SC II imensely...

[Bleck]

getting repeatedly beaten by Amy spammers online pisses me off too much to love this game

[I-n-j-i-n]

There's always a few good/great matches, then an annoying idiot spammer, then maybe a good match, then a spammer, etc etc. Being a spammer isn't supposed to make you so powerful in most fighting games, but it works in Soul Calibur. Other than that, I think the game is good. Sometimes great if matched with the right opponent. Also, nobody plays as Rock or Setsuka and other characters. The game already fell into a niche of spam characters for rank-boosters.

Oh, and I'm not happy that I spent money to replace the boring, droll music in SC4 into SC1 soundtrack. But at least the music is great now.

"I never really felt like this for any fighting game, ever"

Awww, you're in love =)

Well, I cant offer much regadring this game seeing I dont own any of the consoles its on, but I enjoyed SC II imensely...

Aside from the aforementioned godly-spammers, it's almost trance-like to constantly play online battles. It's really nothing like playing against computers since you always play some sort of a mindgame with others. I sometimes like doing backing-away moves. Those never really worked against computer opponents. But humans bite the bait so easily. Especially with someone like Yoshimitsu, it's fun seppuku-ing yourself and the enemies and trying to get energy back. More people should play fun characters like Yoshi instead of Amy/Raphael.

[Schwaltzvald]

I enjoy using Ashlotte, then again I've always had fun using Astaroth :D :lol:

Sadly only at a friend's PS3 :L

[anosou]

Finally got my connection up and running today. Been playing for a few hours with my sick Astaroth-clone Minoroth (think pink and animal-head) and I'm currently at level 15. Too bad you don't really get to do much teching and mindgames at low levels because most people spam regardless of chars ;P
oh well 1[A]~B/A mixup gets 'em every time. And air-grapples. Oh god, the air-grapples.

You can basically narrow the meta down to about 4 types: Kilik/Mina, Amy/Raph, Nightmare/Sieg and Cervy/Shura. I met 3 Rocks today though, that was pretty neat.

Anyway, Anosou on XBL. Add me and play some playermatches if you're bored, european time mostly.

Also, props to you I-n-j-i-n for palying Yoshi, a char I always wanted to play but sucked too much to control :3

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

So how does the online play work for the 360? I haven't tried it yet since I don't have a net connection available to mine for another week or two.

Edit: Oh and please tell me why my critical finishes aren't working kthx.

[JCvgluvr]

Yesterday, I was descending in Tower of Exploitation. I was cheesing my way with 2 Astaroths , using the 1[A],A combo. I got all the way down to floor 20, with just one of my Astaroths left, and about 1/5 of my life left. I earned the appropriate achievement, but Kilik killed me before I could acquire the appropriate treasure chest. And he only had a sliver of health left!

*cries*

[Scufo]

So I guess lag is pretty much entirely dependent on distance to your opponent? Because there's no lag whatsoever when I play against someone a few miles away. Being able to GI online is niiiice.

Also, did Tira have the whole bipolar thing going on in SCIII? Because it's a really cool mechanic and I'm going to make her my alt now because of it.

[anosou]

So how does the online play work for the 360? I haven't tried it yet since I don't have a net connection available to mine for another week or two.

Edit: Oh and please tell me why my critical finishes aren't working kthx.

Online play works great with 4 or 5 bars opponent. Not-so-great with three and unbearable otherwise. Luckily most people have realized this and stopped playing if they have below 3 bars.

Your critical finishes ain't working because you ain't doing them right :3 You have to soul crush your opponent when he's gauge is blinking red, that is doing a PHAT attack so he "staggers".. you'll notice I promise.

So I guess lag is pretty much entirely dependent on distance to your opponent? Because there's no lag whatsoever when I play against someone a few miles away. Being able to GI online is niiiice.

Also, did Tira have the whole bipolar thing going on in SCIII? Because it's a really cool mechanic and I'm going to make her my alt now because of it.

Not distance, just quality of connection. I can play someone in the states with 5-bar connection and GI like crazy and I live in Sweden :)

She did not and most people thinks she sucks because of it :D but I'm glad someone appreciates it.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

I think Tira is creepy as all hell, but creepy in a "wow that's kinda cool yet totally disturbing" kinda way.

You mean right when it starts flashing or during? Because I've been hitting ABKG like crazy while it's flashing, but I didn't think there was any real timing to it.

[anosou]

I think Tira is creepy as all hell, but creepy in a "wow that's kinda cool yet totally disturbing" kinda way.

You mean right when it starts flashing or during? Because I've been hitting ABKG like crazy while it's flashing, but I didn't think there was any real timing to it.

nono, when it's flashing you have to hit the opponent like you would anytime and eventually he'll be staggered and you can hitt ABKG once :)

[mr.wholesome]

Algol reminds me of Akuma and Magneto from Marvel Vs Capcom 2. which makes him double awesome.

[Ramaniscence]

nono, when it's flashing you have to hit the opponent like you would anytime and eventually he'll be staggered and you can hitt ABKG once :)

Namely, you do a guard crush (the big blue lightening attacks) and they'll try to block it and get crushed (BIG purple explosion, and they fly backward), and bam.

It probably happens with normal attacks if they just keep blocking, but their guard gets broke a lot quicker with a guard crush.

I've only pulled it off like...twice :(

[JCvgluvr]

Once you practice Critical Impacts in training, it actually becomes quite simple to do. I've never pulled one off online, but I did manage to use one in Tower of Exploitation. And no, I didn't cheese my way into it with Yun-Seong! The silly AI just blocked too much.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I've seen tons of critical impacts though lately a lot of them happen for me since my Seung Mina tends to be block-then-retaliate heavy. I actually win 90% of matches with her. And really, I don't think you can compare her to the insanely fast Kilik, whom my current winning rate is basically 100% with lots of perfects (Yes, I think Kilik is beyond broken. Quite easily the top tier if you ask me. Out of 300 odd online matches or so, the biggest struggle usually came from Kilik).

And today, finally I was finished off in a finishing move by a desperate Sophitia player (who is almost impossible to fight online. Like with Rock or Setsuka). Sadly, I had the Sophitia player near death and all figured out. Except my guard broke and then the finisher by Sophitia. I will try to do some finishers in the future for the sake of the achievements and for the experience of actually doing it. I wiffed on about a hundred finisher chances and I keep forgetting the left bumper button. I'll have to keep that in mind in future games.

As for ranked games, I jumped from a dismal 15% winning rate to around 60%. And I still consider myself middle tier except I can understand the mind-game idea now. I do that instinctively in most games that doesn't involve extreme spamming by my enemy. Especially Seung Mina, I know how to make absolute fools of enemies now. Including her incredibly deceptive 4B+K.

[rem]

Wow I like Hilde. Just tons of fun.

[anosou]

Finally reached lvl 20 in ranked online. Kilik is an ass but I seem to have more problem with anyone with 3-bars or below, they can just spam and I can't react with impacts or defend against mixups :'(
Still I have like 72 wins 52 losses atm so I'm happy :)

I didn't know you had to guard crush to make a critical finish, I usually just hit 'em :) I've made like 10 in single player and none in multi player..

I discovered how wicked Bull Rush is, that between 6K and 4B makes sure I'm never outmashed by fast chars anymore. Just have to practice my impacts and pressure.. I'll see you online, PM for XBL-name if you're up for some casual matches.

[Jabberbox]

I really want to see if it's possible to do a recreation of Fayt Leingod (from Star Ocean 3: Till the end of time) in soul calibur 4
I don't have any current gen consoles, though, or else I would have done it myself.
If anyone would like to, and post a picture, I'd really appreciate it.


reference pic:
http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/so3/art-002.jpg

[Ramaniscence]

lol at people trying to play me with Seung Mina, staying at MAX RANGE the whole time so I can't get near them, still losing, and complaining that I won with the same 3 moves. How many fucking moves does Mitsurugi have that can get IN THERE?

He disconnected, too.

C'mon people. l2 soul calibur. If this were a real tournament no one would give a shit HOW you won, just THAT you won. Disconnecting is just 5 year old BS.

[atmuh]

go buy one

[I-n-j-i-n]

lol at people trying to play me with Seung Mina, staying at MAX RANGE the whole time so I can't get near them, still losing, and complaining that I won with the same 3 moves. How many fucking moves does Mitsurugi have that can get IN THERE?

He disconnected, too.

C'mon people. l2 soul calibur. If this were a real tournament no one would give a shit HOW you won, just THAT you won. Disconnecting is just 5 year old BS.

I find a pattern like that now too. People disconnecting because they lose so badly and almost embarrassingly. I made fools out of everyone with either Yoshimitsu or Seung Mina for the first 100 or so matches. The recent 100 consisted me of beating almost everyone with Lizardman and just abusing his lizard roll. It seems like I'm the only person online abusing Lizardman and abusing his roll well. And now I'm getting the hate-messages, mic messages saying I'm cheap and even a few disconnects. Good thing most people just bit the bullet because Lizardman is just that good. I used to think Lizardman was horrible, but not anymore. He almost might be broken in his crawl stance.

[Bleck]

I find a pattern like that now too. People disconnecting because they lose so badly and almost embarrassingly. I made fools out of everyone with either Yoshimitsu or Seung Mina for the first 100 or so matches. The recent 100 consisted me of beating almost everyone with Lizardman and just abusing his lizard roll. It seems like I'm the only person online abusing Lizardman and abusing his roll well. And now I'm getting the hate-messages, mic messages saying I'm cheap and even a few disconnects. Good thing most people just bit the bullet because Lizardman is just that good. I used to think Lizardman was horrible, but not anymore. He almost might be broken in his crawl stance.

I would be too but I don't really own the game. Lizardman is amazing now.

[anosou]

Lizzie is sick, he was sick in SCIII too. He used to be my main and I should probably pick him up again.. but then again I don't think his new stance is all that good, he's very vulnerable in it and the moves you can do from it isn't all that worth it. The mix-ups however makes him ace.

[JCvgluvr]

moar like dinosorman, m i rite?

I tend to avoid using characters with stances. They scare me.

[Mirai Gen]

To be fair the main reason stuff like Seong Mi-na poking at a distance bugs me is for the same reason that playing Smash Brawl 1v1 against Falco with his laser spam/Reflector push/Dash to run away is annoying. It's less fighting and more "HAHAHAHA YOU CAN'T HURT ME"

But this is a bit different since online is pretty much "Play to win."

I'm having loads of fun with SC4's character creation than I ever thought I would have. I already made a Red Mage and Fighter from 8bit Theater, as well as Magus from Chrono Trigger and tons more. It's a complete kick.

Favorite Soul Calibur moment so far - taking my awesome Dante ala DMC to fight against a black guy in a suit with a giant pink afro and nunchuks.

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Character creation is one of my favorite things.

Thus far I've created a Xena/Jeanne d'Arc Cassandra, a pirate and kitty Amy, and a buccaneer Hilde.

As far as my own stuff, I made Aya Brea and some ninja pirates. Next on the list Is Locke, Sabin, Celes, and Terra.

It's very intuitive and fun. I've spent hours on it already.

[Ramaniscence]

Pretty much if any of the sword and board characters come at me, I know there's an 80% chance I'm going to lose :(

[anosou]

Creat-a-Character is gold.
My main Astaroth CAS is a white/pink minotaur-headed hunk in voldo's spike-suit from one of the previous SC's. You will never forget when this freak beats you up :D

[Bleck]

obi-wan kenobi possibly being downloadable is exciting

[JCvgluvr]

What makes you say that?

On a different note, I never felt the need to include Obi-Wan in the "Bad*** Jedi" category. I just don't see it.

[Bleck]

What makes you say that?

there's the possibility of other jedi being DLC and Obi-Wan is badass

On a different note, I never felt the need to include Obi-Wan in the "Bad*** Jedi" category. I just don't see it.

see the thing about obi-wan is that he's quiet and unimposing which is also what happens to be his greatest asset

nobody expects him to really do anything but then bam pow he fucks you right up

he beat darth maul, a killing machine who spent his whole life training do murder jedi

he beat general grievous, who on a separate occasion singlehandedly defeated five jedi at once

he beat anakin skywalker, whom pretty much all the jedi said was the chosen one and as such was nigh undefeatable

if it weren't for mace windu, obi-wan kenobi would win the jedi award for 'most bad-ass motherfucker'

[Ramaniscence]

there's the possibility of other jedi being DLC and Obi-Wan is badass

orly? That's not what the Soul Calibur director is saying (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/01/no-star-wars-dlc-for-soul-calibur-iv-says-games-director/).

...Specifically, Sasaki responded "we don't have any plans for that" when asked by XCN if we'd ever see both characters from a galaxy far, far away battling each other on the same console.

And HE'S talking about not even putting Yoda and Vader on the same console, let alone Obi-Wan.

Besides the likelihood of a DLC of THAT MAGNITUDE just isn't all that feasible. They'd either have to already exist somewhere in the games code, or ALL systems would have to patched. Not to mention the balancing that'd have to be done for that 1 character.

Oh, and this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5mgc2O1TTc

[Bleck]

because anytime a game director says something it is obviously 100% true

[Ramaniscence]

Like I said before, the amount of effort it would take to put a WHOLE other character into the roster is just ridiculous, and even if they DID put him in, he'd just be a clone of someone else like all the existing "bonus" characters...and for that, why not just make him yourself. Isn't that THE POINT of create a character?

Who needs another light saber holding character that can't break any armor off or customize at all anyway?

[Bleck]

he'd just be a clone of someone else like all the existing "bonus" characters...and for that, why not just make him yourself. Isn't that THE POINT of create a character?

I tried and then I discovered you can't make a custom Jedi

gimme Obi-Wan as a clone of someone except with a lightsaber and I'd be happy

[Ramaniscence]

I think what's important here is that you remember this isn't STAR CALIBUR IV.

[Mirai Gen]

On a different note, I never felt the need to include Obi-Wan in the "Bad*** Jedi" category. I just don't see it.
You should go read Star Wars: Episode 3 the novel. Not only does it make the movie look like the giant steaming pile of filth that it is, but it also turns every character who had no personality into an interesting, flawed, unique person that had their part on the story.

And plus it shows you why Obi-Wan is awesome.

But yeah, I'd like to think that they'd include more characters as DLC but I'm just not seeing it yet.

I'd hope that Namco does make everyone downloadable in the end, because providing Vader to 360 and Yoda to PS3 as DLC would be like, free money for them. To not do it after a half a year or so would be foolish.

[I-n-j-i-n]

Lizzie is sick, he was sick in SCIII too. He used to be my main and I should probably pick him up again.. but then again I don't think his new stance is all that good, he's very vulnerable in it and the moves you can do from it isn't all that worth it. The mix-ups however makes him ace.

I'm sorry, but you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about in regard to his roll. Just lock on B+K as your right shoulder button, low sweep with 1K (Hold that K so you automatically go into stance after you sweep enemies, whom almost NEVER block low, so it should be safe), then just mash B+K shoulder button. 90% of the times, they won't be able to do anything. And you can mix it up with an A-slash and keep at it until enemies go out of the ring. It's so abusable, it's insane. I'd say about 95% of players I did that against couldn't do anything but eat insane amount of continuous damage or go out the ring. It's so cheap, I feel sorry for them.

I might almost say that the Lizard stance might be the strongest stance in the whole game. Even beyond Yoshimitsu's helicopter and whatever stances Yun Seung and Maxi uses. The continuous 20-win streaks I get online is proof that the Lizard stance works. Against anyone.

[Bleck]

I think what's important here is that you remember this isn't STAR CALIBUR IV.

star wars fighting game

it needs to be done

[JCvgluvr]

I'd hope that Namco does make everyone downloadable in the end, because providing Vader to 360 and Yoda to PS3 as DLC would be like, free money for them. To not do it after a half a year or so would be foolish.

It's not just a possibility, but its an inevitability. Just watch. That blank spot in the roster will be filled up soon.

[anosou]

I'm sorry, but you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about in regard to his roll. Just lock on B+K as your right shoulder button, low sweep with 1K (Hold that K so you automatically go into stance after you sweep enemies, whom almost NEVER block low, so it should be safe), then just mash B+K shoulder button. 90% of the times, they won't be able to do anything. And you can mix it up with an A-slash and keep at it until enemies go out of the ring. It's so abusable, it's insane. I'd say about 95% of players I did that against couldn't do anything but eat insane amount of continuous damage or go out the ring. It's so cheap, I feel sorry for them.

I might almost say that the Lizard stance might be the strongest stance in the whole game. Even beyond Yoshimitsu's helicopter and whatever stances Yun Seung and Maxi uses. The continuous 20-win streaks I get online is proof that the Lizard stance works. Against anyone.

I think it's because no one is used to Lizardman. But then again I might be wrong, I'll have to meet one before I form an opinion :/

I think voldo's facing away stance is the strongest btw :3

[I-n-j-i-n]

Yeah, it's as if I'm the only GOOD Lizardman in the entire online world, which should be false. But out of maybe 350 matches now, nobody even scratched the depth to which I was able to use Lizzy.

Voldo's stance is really good too, but a bit involving and you can't really spam it too much before the opponent learns to back away. The thing with the roll&slash from the crawl is that you do it so fast, even if they anticipate it, they're already getting tossed out of the ring or their health goes down to around 20% before they can retaliate. Also, Lizardman's normal moves have so much buffs and stuns and come out quick, you should have no problems beating enemies normally as long as you can keep everything within his relatively stubby reach.

The crazy thing was that for the first 25 or so times I used Lizardman, I usually got beaten. Very badly. Perfects here, easy ring outs there. Then I discovered the Lizard crawl and I probably beat 95% of opponents with Lizardman, and if they get caught in my rolling attack, that probability is actually even higher.

[anosou]

Yeah, it's as if I'm the only GOOD Lizardman in the entire online world, which should be false. But out of maybe 350 matches now, nobody even scratched the depth to which I was able to use Lizzy.

Voldo's stance is really good too, but a bit involving and you can't really spam it too much before the opponent learns to back away. The thing with the roll&slash from the crawl is that you do it so fast, even if they anticipate it, they're already getting tossed out of the ring or their health goes down to around 20% before they can retaliate. Also, Lizardman's normal moves have so much buffs and stuns and come out quick, you should have no problems beating enemies normally as long as you can keep everything within his relatively stubby reach.

The crazy thing was that for the first 25 or so times I used Lizardman, I usually got beaten. Very badly. Perfects here, easy ring outs there. Then I discovered the Lizard crawl and I probably beat 95% of opponents with Lizardman, and if they get caught in my rolling attack, that probability is actually even higher.

Sounds like I should pick up Lizardman yet again :)

[Mirai Gen]

It's not just a possibility, but its an inevitability. Just watch. That blank spot in the roster will be filled up soon.

The director of Soul Calibur for Namco has pretty much flat-out said there's no plans to do that.

I'm not saying he isn't lying out his ass I'm just noting that it could go either way.

[JCvgluvr]

You and everybody else are better off ignoring that. As with what happened with the "exclusive" Viewtiful Joe and Resident Evil 4, so shall the "exclusive" Star Wars Characters switch consoles. Not only that, but Namco has a track record for coming up with ludicrous amounts of DLC that's most likely locked in the disc already (see Beautiful Katamari).

And even if all of the above didn't happen, who else would you believe goes right next to Yoda/Vader on the roster? And why in the world has a single person not already unlocked that character yet?

It just doesn't make sense, unless you consider Vader/Yoda becoming DLC. As I said before, It's an inevitability.

[Bleck]

does nobody else remember how much everyone important was saying that sonic would definitely not be in smash bros brawl

I mean hello

[The wingless]

Alright you fucking script-kiddies. Listen up

Here's the easiest way to find out if a company is going to do something or not.

Ask yourself, would this company profit, in any way, shape, or form by adding the second exclusive character?

If the answer is yes: they will.

[JCvgluvr]

Bleck and The wingless know what's up!

[kupernikus]

Well i rented this for my 360 tpday and so far im pretty pleased with it. Im really enjoying playing as my own custom char with taki's moves, but is it odd i rarely use her weapon? Ive gotten pretty proficient at using her kick combos... Im a little dissapoonted in the games balance though. Button mashers and single swing spammers are a pain.

[Bleck]

Button mashers and single swing spammers are a pain.

this has always been a problem for the soul series; it is easily circumvented by learning how to guard impact

[I-n-j-i-n]

Or you know.. Guard then attack with a fast one. Or the fast revival attack or quick-guard and Ukemi and other techniques.

I think spammers are mostly pretty easy. People think my Lizardman rolling is spamming but they don't know how to block it. Their fault. But some spammers like the typical Rapahel/Amy spammers are a pain in the ass because everything they do is quick on recovery.

And I think I just fought against one of the best online players on the 360 and his rank was around 66. He parried a ton of moves, did a lot of unexpected unblockable attack combos and went back to back with me on a lot of dangerous moves (with my best Lizardman, no less). I'm just happy I was able to deal 30% damage on the player for each of the rounds. I don't know if I want to play the very best players like that again. Too deflating. It's like a minor leaguer facing a major leaguer.

[Ramaniscence]

ooOOooooo. Playstation Soul Calibur patched for in-battle chat. That's a <3 and a </3 at the same time.

[kupernikus]

this has always been a problem for the soul series; it is easily circumvented by learning how to guard impact

Ya.... I should work on that. lol. Im just really digging the taki style, even if I just lead with kicks because if I land my first hit I can make it into a massive combo of joy. I just need to finish fixing my internet so I can actually play online on my own console...

[Mirai Gen]

Even if you don't know how to GI you can just circumvent spamming by learning your fastest anti-spam attack. Everyone's got a few.

Mitsurugi's 3A at close range is great for that.

[JCvgluvr]

Don't forget 8-way run. That's pretty important.

[Ramaniscence]

Even if you don't know how to GI you can just circumvent spamming by learning your fastest anti-spam attack. Everyone's got a few.

Mitsurugi's 3A at close range is great for that.

QFT. I've NEVER been able to GI a damn thing online, yet I still enjoy an 81% win/lose ratio.

You just need to learn how to play :(.

Actually I've noticed, more often than not, the problem isn't that people don't know how to play their character, but that they don't know OTHER characters. I guess after the 10 odd some years I've been playing Soul Calibur a lot of stuff has been auto-programmed into my head. I know where people are going to go after a certain move, I know what people are going to start with, I know which of my moves can fix into the space between there moves as far as time and distance are.

THAT is the game right there, and THAT is why Ivy will ALWAYS been a pain, because they just can't make up their mind with their girl -_-

WHICH reminds me, anyone seen Ivy's infinite yet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8ilBJESBKI

NOT fixed in patch.

[JCvgluvr]

That's already been dis-proven. In fact, you can go disprove it right now if you want. After 3 or so hits, you should be able to get out of it with air control.

[Scufo]

I'm sorry, but you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about in regard to his roll. Just lock on B+K as your right shoulder button, low sweep with 1K (Hold that K so you automatically go into stance after you sweep enemies, whom almost NEVER block low, so it should be safe), then just mash B+K shoulder button. 90% of the times, they won't be able to do anything. And you can mix it up with an A-slash and keep at it until enemies go out of the ring. It's so abusable, it's insane. I'd say about 95% of players I did that against couldn't do anything but eat insane amount of continuous damage or go out the ring. It's so cheap, I feel sorry for them.

I might almost say that the Lizard stance might be the strongest stance in the whole game. Even beyond Yoshimitsu's helicopter and whatever stances Yun Seung and Maxi uses. The continuous 20-win streaks I get online is proof that the Lizard stance works. Against anyone.
So I tried this...with varying degrees of success. Thing is, the roll is a mid attack, so they usually block it. So now I'm starting my next one, and they're free to pound me while Lizzy flails around in the move's startup animation. So just mashing B+K didn't work so well. BUT hitting A while in the position does produce a nice quick low attack that no one ever blocks (and the thing's so fast they probably couldn't even if they wanted to, especially if there's lag). I found that mixing that move in A LOT (as in more than the roll) trips them up pretty good. Then if they ever decide to block low you can go right back to the roll.

Cheap? Yes. Broken? Not so much.

[Mirai Gen]

That's already been dis-proven. In fact, you can go disprove it right now if you want. After 3 or so hits, you should be able to get out of it with air control.

Yeah that guy just sucks at DI.

[anosou]

So I tried this...with varying degrees of success. Thing is, the roll is a mid attack, so they usually block it. So now I'm starting my next one, and they're free to pound me while Lizzy flails around in the move's startup animation. So just mashing B+K didn't work so well. BUT hitting A while in the position does produce a nice quick low attack that no one ever blocks (and the thing's so fast they probably couldn't even if they wanted to, especially if there's lag). I found that mixing that move in A LOT (as in more than the roll) trips them up pretty good. Then if they ever decide to block low you can go right back to the roll.

Cheap? Yes. Broken? Not so much.

Astaroth's 6K ~ Grabs, Combos, Pressure > Everything low, fast or annoying :3

[JCvgluvr]

I've noticed that when you use 4G, your character sort of pulls back, and can dodge grabs and such. Is there ever a reason to use this instead of things like GI or 8-Way Run?

[kupernikus]

the apprentice is a dirty little bastard... i do not lile fighting him..

[JCvgluvr]

Yessssss......goooooood.........let the hatred consume you..............that way.........you may gain UUUUULTIMAAATE POOOOOOOWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

[kupernikus]

Yessssss......goooooood.........let the hatred consume you..............that way.........you may gain UUUUULTIMAAATE POOOOOOOWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

Eh, He's just so hard for me to beat. Playin arcade mode on normal I made it to round 7, all perfects. And then. BOOOM! Protien EVERYWHERE while the apprentice raped me mercilessly...

I think I should hit up practice mode since I am so heavily dependant on 3 or 4 combos....

[Mirai Gen]

I'm not sure if the Apprentice is broken or if he just has that capability for picture-perfect combos from the AI. It's a real tossup.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I agree with Cynical. It's not me who is saying the Lizard roll is broken. It's those who get stuck in it or get ring-outed in less than 5 seconds. It does have some technique to it and every characters have their own strings of cheese (except maybe Rock and Setsuka for the most part).

Astaroth's 6K ~ Grabs, Combos, Pressure > Everything low, fast or annoying :3

If the enemy doesn't do a particular good job of pressure Astaroth that is. I tend to go 50/50 with very good Astaroth players with my Lizardman. Lizardman has plenty of other normal, non-stance moves to make up for it. And of course, characters like Xianghua can just abuse Astaroth as long as she's in range.

I need to get the timing to block some of Astaroth's ring out attacks though. They come unexpectedly fast. Somehow it's not too hard to fight him with Seung Mina for some reason.

I'm not sure if the Apprentice is broken or if he just has that capability for picture-perfect combos from the AI. It's a real tossup.

I've seen some REALLY good and REALLY cheap Apprentice users online. They always do the spark-launcher and the air juggle. There is no way to get out of it if you don't block and it comes out so fast, sometimes the lag cancels the speed of the blocks. Extremely annoying when someone knows how to abuse Apprentice's moves. Not too many people are all that good with him, but those who are, they are incredibly annoying to deal with.

[Mirai Gen]

Whenever they do that I just wait till next fight, counterpick Mitsurugi, 3A, then combo them. When you get Mits started he's tough to stop.

But, yes, Apprentice is very good. He's basically Spawn ala SC2 but given extra range, speed, and a Force bar. I think that might be the main reason you aren't allowed to do Custom Star Wars characters - we'd all get sick of Apprentice style everything.

EDIT: Actually in response to the OP, I think that SC4's biggest mistake is not including the bonus styles they had in SC3. I loved Wave Sword, Dagger/Bomb, and Greive Edge, if only because I could make a Drizzt, a Thief ala 8bit Theater, and a Chuck Norris :p

I'm saddened they got removed but God willing they'll balance in the next game.

[I-n-j-i-n]

I think the balance is pretty shot anyway. Lizardman feels almost too powerful once you get the timing of blocks perfect (when there's little lag and I'm able to guard impact, there's little from stopping Lizardman. And so with many similarly powerful and speedy characters). Also, Cervantes has too many abusable moves, it's almost comical. Every other move of his has very easy ring-out potential, auto mix-ups, incredibly fast unblockable moves, etc. Not to mention all the cheap spammers love using him to boot.

Also, Talim and Xianghua in the hands of pros (as in.. level 80s and 90s. I've fought several..) are almost unbeatable due to the extraordinary number of safe moves. In some skill levels, some characters are incredibly broken.

[anosou]

If the enemy doesn't do a particular good job of pressure Astaroth that is. I tend to go 50/50 with very good Astaroth players with my Lizardman. Lizardman has plenty of other normal, non-stance moves to make up for it. And of course, characters like Xianghua can just abuse Astaroth as long as she's in range.

I need to get the timing to block some of Astaroth's ring out attacks though. They come unexpectedly fast. Somehow it's not too hard to fight him with Seung Mina for some reason.


Pressure can be hard but mostly it's a question of 4K, GI or 8-way run ~ launch/bull rush ~ mix ~ repeat. Haven't really met any good xianghua's so I can't comment on that but I'm pretty sure she can. Luckily AB is a good space keeper along with bull rush.

Asta's ring-out game is insane in SCIV actually, bull rush is still incredible and he has a vast array of far-reaching ring-outing lows to boot. Even his fastest attack (4K , hell yeah) has decent ring-out stats.

so yeah, I like astaroth. Sadly I've got no xbox intarwebs at dad's place so I can't play a lot atm but I'm about to fix that. Then I'll see you all online! >:)

[Malaki-LEGEND.sys]

Sadly I've got no xbox intarwebs at dad's place so I can't play a lot atm but I'm about to fix that. Then I'll see you all online! >:)

Ditto here, but I won't even have a TV when I move into my new apartment for another week, and by then I'm afraid I'll miss the whole SCIV buzz... :-(

[anosou]

Ditto here, but I won't even have a TV when I move into my new apartment for another week, and by then I'm afraid I'll miss the whole SCIV buzz... :-(

*Slaps Malaki-LEGEND.sys*

Bad Malaki-LEGEND.sys, BAD!

[Martin Penwald]

star wars fighting game

it needs to be done

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/81/Mastersbox.jpg

[Mirai Gen]

See, but that game sucked.

Anyway I hate Xianghua on principle. It's bad enough you have a chick who can be pretty quick when she wants to be, it's worse when you add in her ability to feint/switch in almost half of her attacks without even pausing and some of her more abusable air chains.

[JCvgluvr]

Well, Mirai, The Force Unleashed is gonna have a Duel Mode in the Wii version, and there's an upcoming game based on the new CG Star Wars movie, which is nothing but dueling. So, I think George had you covered.

I love the Apprentice. He's got the best moveset out of the 3 Force users. I hope to gain l33t skitles with him someday. I'm practicing, you know!

[kupernikus]

Personally, I would have preffered the addition of others. I personally don't like star wars, never really enjoyed its universe all that much. It just never spoke to me. I appreciate the movies but thats about it. Im really diggin the character creator, infact, ive been playin with it as mucha s the game... lol.

[Aninymouse]

I love soulcalibur on principle, and I played a hella lot of SCII back in the day, but... without online, and being an old guy now, having friends who work full time, it seems like a waste of $60.

I know I'd love the game, but since my 360 has no Live account there's nothing to do but beat up on the stupid AI and the rare local match against my sister.

I mean, the single player alone cannot possibly justify the puchase, agreed?

[Mirai Gen]

I don't think it's fair to fighting games in general to basically say "The single play isn't worth it to me therefore it is not worth my purchase."

However having no friends to fight with (or internet) then you'd have a horrible time playing Soul Calibur 4. You'd play the game, unlock some armor, tweak with Character Creator, and put it on the shelf forever.

[I-n-j-i-n]

See, but that game sucked.

Anyway I hate Xianghua on principle. It's bad enough you have a chick who can be pretty quick when she wants to be, it's worse when you add in her ability to feint/switch in almost half of her attacks without even pausing and some of her more abusable air chains.

Some truly great Xianghua players are annoying, but now it's hip to use Amy and abuse her quickness and auto mixups. I actually think she might be broken because most characters simply do not have the quickness to counter her moves. Some of her typical attacks like the quick thrusts can be easy to see, but most of her low attacks aren't.

Basically higher level online games devolve into who can spam the most and abuse their most abusable moves. Makes sense, but that means the actual game of fighting goes out the window.

[Bleck]

Some truly great Xianghua players are annoying

just kidding!

[Mirai Gen]

Basically higher level online games devolve into who can spam the most and abuse their most abusable moves. Makes sense, but that means the actual game of fighting goes out the window.

See this is why I only play 2d games competitively. 3d fighters are almost infamous for being horribly broken.

God willing with the current generation of consoles they'll start doing patches to fix this kind of potential bullcrap.