Soul-Calibur
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Tekken, Soul Calibur teams let loose ancient fighters in Rise of Incarnates
Rise of Incarnates comes from Bandai Namco and the creators of the Soul Calibur and Tekken franchises – and it looks absolutely insane. Rise of Incarnates is a free, 2v2 fighter that takes place in real-life cities ravaged by massive cold fronts and geological shifts across the planet. The incarnates are humans able to draw power from gods, demons and monsters of ancient mythology, and they're each on their own mission to "defeat the Sovereign of this era." Each incarnate thinks this message means something different – hence the fighting. The incarnates revealed so far are Dr. Gasper Watteau (grim reaper), Terrence Blake (Ares), Mireia Valentin (Lilith) and Jedrek Tyler (Mephistopheles). See a rundown of their abilities and personalities here. Sign up for the alpha via the same site, with the box in the bottom-left corner. Rise of Incarnates is due out in late 2014 for PC in the Americas. [Images: Bandai Namco]
Nightmare, Ivy cross swords in latest Soul Calibur 2 HD Online footage
Take one hulking, possessed Teutonic knight, one scantily clad sadist wielding a sword that doubles as a whip, add a solid framerate and high-definition visuals, bake on high, and suddenly you have a solid recipe for Soul Calibur 2 HD Online.
Soul Calibur 2 HD Online looks sharp in new combat trailer
It's difficult to decide which is more appealing in this new gameplay trailer for Soul Calibur 2 HD Online: The overwhelming wave of nostalgia it generates for 3D fighting games circa the turn of the last century, or the enhanced visual fidelity which ushers these decade-old character models into the modern age.
Seen@Namco Bandai HQ: Harada and Hoshino's business tactics
Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada (right) and SoulCalibur series producer Masaaki Hoshino (left) were both heavily armed during our group interview session at Namco Bandai HQ this week. While neither of them explicitly said so, we figure it had something to do with fighting game rival and Street Fighter producer, Yoshinori Ono.
Spawn crawls out of Hell and into Soul Calibur 2 HD Online
Soul Calibur 2 HD Online, a downloadable remix of the original PS2 fighter for Xbox Live Arcade and PSN due this fall, will include Spawn as a playable character. Soul Calibur 2 featured console-exclusive characters when it launched on PS2, Xbox and GameCube back in 2003. Heihachi was the PS2's character and confirmed for Soul Calibur 2 HD Online when the game was announced back at San Diego Comic-Con; Spawn was exclusive to the original Xbox version and the GameCube port got Link. And we already know what you're thinking: Will Link be in the game? All signs point to nope. A comparison video between the original game and the Online revamp shows much-improved character models and arenas on top of the addition of online play. Soul Calibur 2 HD Online will be available for download on PS3 and Xbox 360 sometime this fall.
Soul Calibur Broken Destiny free on PS Plus tomorrow, Spring Fever sale continues
PlayStation Plus subscribers can snag a free copy of PSP (and PS Vita-compatible) fighter Soul Calibur Broken Destiny tomorrow when the PlayStation Store update drops. Soul Calibur Broken Destiny launched on PSP in 2009 with a feature set largely similar to its console predecessor from 2008, Soul Calibur IV.Curve Studios' port of Mike Bithell's BAFTA-nominated puzzle-platformer Thomas Was Alone makes its debut on PS Vita and PS3 this week. The cross-buy enabled game takes place within a computer mainframe, tasking players with escorting erratic AI entities to their destinations.Finally, PSN's Spring Fever sale continues unabated, slashing prices across the entire Resident Evil series this week. Highlights include Resident Evil: Director's Cut for $5, Resident Evil 6 for $21 and Resident Evil 4 at $14.
The Soapbox: Remembering that games are games
I think it's safe to assume that we all love games. If we didn't, I wouldn't be in this crowded, noisy coffee shop writing this and you wouldn't be blowing off some sort of important responsibility reading it. We're all here together, engaged in this somewhat-anonymous internet back-and-forth, because games have touched our lives. It sounds corny, but it's true. For many of us, games have a deeply personal and specific meaning. We like the games we like not so much for their craftsmanship or content but for the way they engage our minds and spirits. Games create incredible, irreplaceable moments infused with emotional resonance, and it's only natural we would feel some sort of personal connection when a piece of digital entertainment syncs just right. It is precisely this personal connection that leads many of us to act like total morons.
Soul Calibur iOS update adds multiplayer, subtracts a few dollars
Soul Calibur on iOS is a strange beast -- when it first launched in January, its full price was $15, which is $5 more than the XBLA version, and it didn't offer multiplayer support. Namco Bandai has resolved one of these issues with update 1.1, which adds Bluetooth multiplayer support for "VS Battle" mode.Soul Calibur is on sale for the update, dropped the price of three whole standard apps to $12. Namco warns multiplayer won't work with iPod Touch 4, but it should be compatible with newer iPhones and iPads.
PSA: Soulcalibur now on iOS, is twelve freaking dollars
Soulcalibur has finally arrived on iOS, meaning eager fans can keep the classic fighter on hand at all times. That is, if you're willing to part with enough cash to buy roughly a dozen other iOS titles. Yup, Soulcalibur will currently set you back $11.99 and it's on sale. The normal price will actually be $15. For comparison's sake, the Xbox Live Arcade version costs $10 and features better graphics, more modes (like, an actual versus mode) and physical controls. There are more modes planned for the iOS version but ... really, fifteen dollars?
Soul Calibur for iOS arrives Jan. 19
The original Soul Calibur, a tale of souls and swords, eternally retold, will transform your various Apple touchscreen devices into the stage of history come January 19. The port includes every member of the original Dreamcast cast as well as most of the original modes, although Team Battle mode (or any VS. modes, for that matter) appear to have been omitted. Time Attack, Survival and Extra Survival mode are all compatible with Game Center leaderboards, so the title will still be competitive, just somewhat less confrontational. While no pricing information has yet been made available, we do know that the iPhone 4, iPod Touch 4 and iPad 2 will all support the title. Finally, a new and exciting way to touch writhing, latex-covered masochistic gimp bankers while on public transportation.
Soul Calibur coming to iOS platforms 'soon'
At a recent event, Namco Bandai VP of marketing Carlson Choi revealed that the original Soul Calibur will eventually slash and stab its way onto your iDevice. While he wouldn't divulge any specific time frame for the game's availability, Choi said it would be available "soon." Soul Calibur launched back in the arcades in 1998, and was ported to the Dreamcast in 1999 and Xbox Live Arcade in 2008. Expect this iOS port on both the iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad.
Leaked Soulcalibur 5 screen shows mysterious character (and it's not Ezio)
We know, we know, the big story here is that Assassin's Creed sneakster Ezio Auditore da Firenze may have infiltrated Soulcalibur 5's dramatic tale of swords and souls, but look! There's totally another dude up there, completely unaccounted for. We've been over our tipster's image with the finest fine-toothed combs money can buy, and every single character on this screen can be quickly and verifiably identified, except for the dude to the right of Ezio. Head past the break for a breakdown of the menu and let the wild, rampant speculation begin.
French SoulCalibur 5 match videos prove that you're already unprepared
One of the universal truths of the fighting-game world is that at all times, someone out there is better than you, no exceptions. It's a sure thing, so much so that this cosmic natural law even applies to games that aren't even out yet, as is evident by the SoulCalibur 5 Astaroth v. Ivy match video above. It's nice to know that even though the bright, cheerful announcer we've come to know and love has been replaced by a gruff, melancholy fellow, matches are still followed by confusing and non-sequitur one-liners about justice and victory. Slide past the break for a few more videos showcasing the new fighters and reworked mechanics. Welcome back to the Stage of History; now eat it!
Astaroth and Viola join the cast of SoulCalibur 5
Dear Namco Bandai, Thank you for bringing Astaroth, our series favorite and tournament go-to character, back to the Stage of History in SoulCalibur 5. His glowing, infection-prone chest would have been sorely missed, as would his massive axe and memorable catchphrases like "Stay down!" or "Aruarghg!" Additionally, having your bevy of psychically astute brain institute graduates reach into the deepest, darkest corners of our subconscious was a brilliant move; Viola is the perfect combination of Freddy Krueger and Athena Asamiya, and is exactly what we've always wanted. Rest assured, our impassioned mailing campaign will now end. With souls still burning, The Joystiq Staff%Gallery-133960%
Namco Bandai site teases 'new chapter,' likely next Soulcalibur
We've known a new Soul Calibur game is coming since back in December and now it would appear that Namco Bandai is finally ready to make a formal announcement. Well, not now now. Like, in two weeks. A site teasing a "new chapter" in something has recently emerged online, counting down to May 11 -- presumably when the identity of said chapter will be announced. Corroborating the mid-May reveal is a tweet from Soul Calibur's "current game director" Daishi Odashima promising "to announce something" at that time. If we were rating the mystery behind this reveal, we'd probably give it an F. Minus. [Thanks, Jaxon]
Japanese Gods Eater Burst DLC includes Taiko Drum Master, Tales & Soul Calibur items
For the Japanese release of Gods Eater Burst, Namco Bandai is planning DLC that brings in costumes and items based on other Namco properties that, frankly, have no business being in a game like this -- which is great! A free DLC pack headed to the Japanese PSN on February 10 adds costumes to make your characters look like Asbel and Cheria from Tales of Graces (the PS3 version of which was just announced for North America). The pack also comes with weapons based on the Soul Calibur and Soul Edge swords from the Soul Calibur series. Best of all, the DLC includes costumes based on Taiko Drum Master, which are way too bright and happy to be appropriate for the grotesque Gods Eater Burst. Burst arrives in North America this spring, but no announcements have been made about whether we'll be wielding the Soul Edge in our version.
Soulcalibur series returns to the stage of history
Daishi Odashima, Soul Calibur IV designer, opened a Twitter account on Christmas day, offering the following tease as his gift to fans of the weapons-based fighter series: "SC is BACK! Get ready, fans!" To prove he was serious, he included a picture of himself at his desk, with a drawing of the Soul Calibur sword. With a new Soul Calibur now in the works, that officially brings the number of franchise fighting games on the way from Namco Bandai to three, including Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and Tekken vs. Street Fighter. Thanks for this fighting game renaissance, Street Fighter IV!
Android Dreamcast emulator nullDCe gets early video preview, still a work in progress
Never underestimate the power of Dreamcast to live on long past its intended expiration date (which, if you ask Sega, would have been around September 2007). The final flagship console from the Haus of Sonic is survived by a multitude of emulators propagating across a multitude of platforms... and well, here's another. Drk||Raziel has posted some videos showcasing the work in progress of nullDCe for Android (on what we make out to be a AT&T Samsung Captivate). The footage ranges from buggy (Soul Calibur) to pretty smooth (Crazy Taxi), but again, no one's calling this a finished product. See it for yourself after the break.
Games on Demand: Medal of Honor Airborne, SoulCalibur IV
Microsoft has added two more popular Xbox 360 titles to the console's Games on Demand system -- Medal of Honor Airborne and SoulCalibur IV are now available for download, priced at $19.99 each. Those of you overseas (or in the US with amazing memories) will know that MoH Airbourne actually appeared internationally back in February, but now everyone can enjoy the relentless slaughter of WWII soldiers from above. Oh, and playing a fighting game as Yoda is fun, too. Xbox.com: Add Medal of Honor: Airborne to your Xbox 360 download queue ($19.99) Xbox.com: Add SoulCalibur IV to your Xbox 360 download queue ($19.99)
Swag Saturday: Soul Calibur / Kingdom Hearts travel pack (DS/PSP)
[Image credit: mrlerone] Update: The comments have closed and the winner will be contacted shortly. Thanks to everyone for participating! If you're anything like us, you'll be spending a decent part of your holiday stuck in the seat of a train, bus, automobile, or aeroplane, heading towards wherever "home" is for the upcoming holidays. We know how nice it can be to pick up a new game or two for the travels ahead, and in the spirit of that we're giving out a DS/PSP travel pack for this week's Swag Saturday including both Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. Tell us your best (gaming or non-gaming) holiday travel story (keep it clean, folks! -- no "mile high club" stories!) and we'll pick one winner at random to receive the travel pack early this week. As always, keep an eye on the email address tied to your commenting name to find out if you've won! Leave a comment telling us your best (gaming or non-gaming) holiday travel story. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec -- which may have to do with the Ubisoft Petz franchise) Limit 1 entry per person per day This entry period ends at 9:31PM ET on Sunday, December 6 At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive one copy of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for Nintendo DS ($35 ARV) and one copy of Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny for Sony PSP ($40 ARV). For a list of complete rules, click here
