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Soulcalibur V launches on January 31, 2012; Ezio sneaks into the game
The rumors are true! Assassin's Creed: Revelations protagonist Ezio Auditore de Firenze is the secret guest character in Soulcalibur V, the latest trailer reveals, and it looks like he's coming packed with all of his trusty pointy objects. And a crossbow! Namco Bandai also revealed a January 31, 2012 launch date for Soulcalbur V, and handed over the above trailer. Hidden wrist-blade Soul Edge, anyone?
How CyberConnect2 became a Soulcalibur 5 collaborator
CyberConnect2 has movie-making experience from working on a CG .hack movie, and it's that experience -- including motion capture expertise -- that drew Namco Bandai to the developer for Soulcalibur V. "I was approached by Namco almost two years ago," CEO and Naruto cosplayer Hiroshi Matsuyama told Gamasutra. "I knew they were working on Soulcalibur V, and they asked for help in the visual side of the game. The fighting gameplay was handled by their own team, and they just needed help in the visuals of the game, because they wanted to add more to the dramatization of the game." CyberConnect 2 did storyboarding and motion capture for the fighter. Matsuyama said that the motions have a CC2 look. "The actions look a little like in Naruto, in the sense that the motion doesn't look like we used motion-capture," he said. "In that sense, I think the game looks like it's been done by us." Matsuyama also said that Epic is surprised by CC2's use of Unreal Engine 3 for Asura's Wrath. He said it's "difficult" to make a cinematic action game in an engine designed primarily for shooters, but there's something like that for every engine. "I think the tools don't matter," he said. "And, a perfect engine doesn't exist. There's always something that's difficult to do with every tool."
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.
Rumor: Assassin's Creed protagonist Ezio coming to Soulcalibur 5
The picture above was provided to us by an anonymous tipster, which we're told comes from a beta version of the upcoming Soulcalibur 5 appearing at recent fighting game tournament. If this shot is real, Assassin's Creed protagonist Ezio Auditore de Firenze will be a playable character in Soul Calibur 5, set to launch next year. Unfortunately, we don't have confirmation just yet, and there's no information about whether Ezio is limited to a certain version of the game, or available to anyone playing it. But one thing is for sure: The Hidden Blade would look pretty nice decked out with Soul Edge finery.
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!
Soulcalibur 5 story mode crafted by Asura's Wrath dev CyberConnect2
The story mode in Soulcalibur V has been elevated in importance, at least on the developer's side. Namco Bandai is working on the narrative component of its upcoming fighter alongside CyberConnect2, the exuberant studio behind Asura's Wrath and the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series. Andriasang relays the information from Namco Bandai, which claims that CyberConnect2 has been involved with the project since its inception, providing the storyboards and the motion-capture shoots that -- presumably -- explain all the eternally immolated souls and so forth. We imagine CyberConnect2's taken Namco Bandai's draft script and done a find-and-delete on anything that seemed even vaguely plausible. (You have seen Asura's Wrath, right?) If it's crazy enough, it could be even be a hit for Hollywood and its bizarre compulsion to adapt the game genre where story is of least importance. C'mon, they even did King of Fighters.
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%
SoulCalibur 5 trailer born under the sword
Were you born under a sword? Or on a sword? Maybe near a sword? Close enough for SoulCalibur 5.
SoulCalibur 5's new fighters get frisky in latest trailer
Comic-Con may be over, but it's still dishing out video game media, such as this SoulCalibur 5 trailer. The video features many of the new upstart fighters, and poor Mitsurugi takes quite a walloping. We'll bet his soul will be burning for at least a week.
SoulCalibur V screens show two new characters and some skin
Namco Bandai released a series of SoulCalibur V screens showing two new characters, Zwei and Natsu, and of course Ivy, aged in plotline but not in looks. We don't want to see any older, maternal figures in our real lives wearing this particular outfit, but Ivy can pull it off.
Meet SoulCalibur 5's newest character and her hairdo
SoulCalibur 5 producer Daishi Odashima treated fans to an early reveal of a new character in advance of his Comic-Con panel, after teasing them with two silhouettes on July 5. There's still plenty to be revealed (like who this person is or what her backstory is) but now we know what one of the two new characters looks like! Basically, she's Momohime from Muramasa: The Demon Blade, but blonde, and in a way more ornate outfit.
Meet the young SoulCalibur V development team
Namco takes us into its studio for a behind-the-scenes look at SoulCalibur V in this clip. You'll see the office, a bit of in-progress art and meet the people making the latest iteration of the weapons-based fighter. Was producer Daichi Odashima even alive when the original Soul Edge came out?
Soulcalibur V preview: A tale of buttons mashed, eternally retold
After being ushered into a tiny dark room in the back of Namco's E3 booth with three other journos and several reps from the publisher (several from Project Soul, specifically), I watched the same initial presentation of Soulcalibur V that you watched on Joystiq back in mid-May (seen above). I once again marveled at Namco's insistence on pushing the game's ridiculous story over its gorgeous new game's engine, not to mention the improvements to Soulcalibur's core mechanics that distinguish the upcoming sequel from its predecessors by focusing on a "more elegant" combat system. In real-world terms, this means that battles in Soulcalibur V are intended to be faster, more fluid, and heavy on offense. And in my experience, it was just that -- a noticeably early build, sure, but already showing an extra layer of smoothness in motion that felt far less stilted than past titles.%Gallery-126046%
Soulcalibur V has '20 - 30' characters, half are new; character creation coming back
During our meeting this afternoon with Namco, while a tale of souls was being eternally retold on the screen in Soulcalibur V, a rep from the Japanese publisher spoke to the game's features while we raptly listened on. While only four characters were playable in the hands-on demo we had, two of them were brand new -- something the Namco rep explained was representative of the entire game's roster. "Half of the roster is all new characters," he noted, before explaining that character creation will make a triumphant return in SC5. And apparently, though the story in past Soulcalibur titles has been ... typical of a fighting game, SC5 will expand upon that with the expressed purpose of explaining the many, many new characters. We only got a chance to get our hands on Patroclus and series favorite Mitsurugi, but we'll be sure to have a preview up in the coming days. Here's a tease: it was pretty fun!%Gallery-126046%
Soulcalibur V's eternally retold battles, captured on video
Poor Mitsurugi! He sure was getting on in years when we last saw him in Soulcalibur IV, and in Soulcalibur V he's positively elderly! With any luck, Yoshimitsu schooled him in the ways of AARP health insurance. See for yourself in the first Soulcalibur V gameplay video, after the break.
Soulcalibur V coming to PS3, Xbox 360 in 2012
Namco Bandai's tale of souls and swords, chain whips, undead pirates, gas-mask fetishists, murderous ex-monks, Todd McFarlane rejects, bipedal lizards, elvis impersonators, razor-sharp hula hoops, and Siegfried Schtauffen, will continue in 2012 with the release of Soulcalibur V. Shown during a press conference at Namco Bandai's "Level Up Dubai 2011" event, Soulcalibur V is set to launch on Xbox 360 and PS3, with a story that takes place 17 years after the faux-historical events of the previous game. At the rate technology is advancing in the Soulcalibur universe -- and the rate at which the women's clothes are shrinking -- we'll probably have all-nude musket duels within the next few games. Namco has yet to send out a full character roster, but Siegfried and Nightmare already appear in the first trailer. The game's story is focused on a new character called Patroklos, son of Sopithia. Expect to see a little more media when the countdown on the game's teaser website concludes later today. Update: You'll find the teaser trailer after the break.%Gallery-123356%
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]
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!
