The Soul Still Burns

1up.com has up an in-depth preview of the PS2 exclusive Soul Caliber 3. From the article: "... Yotoriyama and team Calibur's latest effort -- a true PS2 exclusive set for release this fall -- will be packed with gameplay modes (we'll get to those later) designed to entice all types of newcomers. 'We developed [Soul Calibur III] with features that will appeal to a variety of consumers in order to get them to pick up the game and experience that great gameplay. That goal hasn't changed since we developed the first Soul Calibur [on Dreamcast].' On the gameplay side, not a whole lot has changed either -- which, for many Soul devotees, is a good thing."

Comments

Soul Calibur 3

[Anonymous Coward]

not Soul Caliber 3.

Stealing thunder?

[askew1]

It makes me wonder why they decided to make it an exclusive. I'm sure they'd sell millions of copies if it was an XBOX360 launch title. It might even look better. I don't think it could play any better.

But I guess considering the history of the game and the sheer number of PS2 consoles sold they're guaranteed to sell more copies of it. If they release before the XBOX360, they could steal some thunder (and funds) from M$ as well.

Re:Stealing thunder?

[ZakuSage]

It's easier, faster, and makes the game look better if it's focused on one console. Porting the game to X360 wouldn't be wourth it, as they'd make more money just selling it on PS2. Same goes for porting it to GCN or XBX. This is especially true for PS2. To make something look great on PS2 it really has to make good use of the console, which is obscure in archetecture. Porting away from this archetecture takes time, effort, whatever, and while it would be good fan service, it's a lot easier for them to focus on one console and the one with 91 million sold is an easy choice (a 65 million console lead on the nearest competitor).

PS2?

[ElleyKitten]

With the 360 and the PS3 releases so soon, it doesn't really make much sense to make it for PS2, let alone PS2 only. The Gamecube version of SC2 sold much better than the PS2 version anyway, so I think they definately choose the wrong system to be exclusive to.

SNES-itis

[shoptroll]

Just let the system die already!

Seriously, I think after playing GTA3 + VC exclusively on PC i've become a bit biased towards the system (PC version looks magnitudes better... San Andreas' PC Screens look mint), but hasn't the PS2 been around for almost 5-6 years now?

Namco would've been better off doing the cross-platform release again.

Re:SNES-itis

[jclast]

Maybe not SNES, but I don't think we should just move on. With all the backwards compatibility, does Alien Hominid 2 really need to be on the XBox 360? Will ports and remakes really take up all the room on a BluRay?

I know I'd buy a lot more compilations and ports if they were released on the last generation's media. After all, I'll be able to play PSX, PS2, and PS3 games on my PS3, right? Why not port Final Fantasy III or Front Mission to the PSX? You've got a huge pre-installed base, and you can still make money from those who haven't bought the latest and greatest yet.

And what about the little guys? Can they all afford a run on the Revolution? Probably not, but I bet it'd be a lot easier to press some GameCube discs. Old doesn't have to mean dead.

Soul CALIBUR

[Elkboy]

It's Soul Calibur, not Soul Caliber. Common unnessecary spelling misstake on the intertron - especially since the game's name is written in big, bold letters on top of the page.

My guess it comes from Excalibur.

Visually defeated, but pad still sexy?!

[Enti]

I'm not all that disappointed over the supposed PS2-only launch. The hardware is obviously dated, but I'm sure you guys can stomach only a slight increase in bounce realism as far as Taki is concerned. The real issue is something that everyone else seems to be overlooking - The PS2's perfect controller. I know, I know, 'Link is super sweet omgwtf', but the Gamecube's controller is disgusting when it comes to fighting titles (and some other popular genres). I can't count how many times I failed to chain attacks properly because the adorable (3) bean buttons were never designed to be used the way SCII requires them to be with some of it's characters. The X-box controller is a matter of preference. I think the D-pad feels horribly placed (too low) compared to how the PS2's is located right around the thumb's neutral position. Seriously though, I love the Xbox controller; it's only way to fly right now for PC gamepads (Psychonauts is pure digital love with it in hand)... until the 360's native USB hits and changes everything for the better (is that still a touted feature, or am I ten or so press releases behind?). Don't think that I'm making this call purely based on what I've seen of the GC controller from the other side of a glass case at Best Buy. I purchased it for my GC (only system I have, by the way), and played countless hours. Unfortunately though, it was ruined for me after I was at a friend's house for a bit of gaming. After a half hour on the PS2, I was sold, and still can't bring myself to play it again on the GC. Either way, PS2 takes the cake as far as I'm concerned.

P.S. I guess you could always just use a converter, but I'm told those do not fly so well in tournaments.

Re:Visually defeated, but pad still sexy?!

[murky_lurker]

Amen. My experiences with the terrible controls in COD - Finest Hour for the Cube has sworn me off Activision shovelware conversions for the future- the Normandy landings were tricky enough without soldiers accidentally falling to prone position when attempting to aim/shoot. That said, I was never totally convinced about that little D-pad. It's cute as a salute to the controllers of yore, but in most games I've played it's too fiddly to be of much use.

Re:Visually defeated, but pad still sexy?!

[iainl]

If you're playing in tournaments, then I'd expect to be laughed out of the room for using anything other than one of Hori's arcade sticks anyway. Neither pad comes close to the precision and response of a stick and full-size face buttons. Not just because you can perform the more complex combos on a stick with greater ease, but having the four buttons under your hand without having to move means you're much faster. Blocking with your thumb alone turns your game up several notches.