Soul Calibur 2 System Review
04-11-03, 03:17 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Soul Calibur 2 System Review
Well, it's not that detailed, but it does give a review on SC2 for all three systems.
Courtesy of Penny Arcade
It looks like it's the Game Cube version if you're a Link fan, X-BOX if you've got the equipment to appreciate the sound or you like Spawn, and PS2.. if that's the only system you have.
Courtesy of Penny Arcade
PLAYSTATION 2
The Playstation 2 version of the game does not look as good as the others obviously. It does look amazing though when compared to other PS2 games. Anyone who played Virtua Fighter 4 knows that the PS2 can make a damn fine looking game. Well SC2 looks even better. The character models and backgrounds are all beautifully detailed with hardly any of the jagged edges so common in PS2 games.
The special character for the PS2 is Heihachi and I'd have to say he is once again probably the least interesting of the three. He really just doesn't seem to fit in a weapons based fighting game. I am a huge fan of Tekken and I think he is a fantastic character but this just isn't the right game for him. With that said he really does not detract from the SC 2 experience. You do not need the extra characters to have fun with this game. The roster of fighters that the game comes with is packed full of interesting and unique characters.
The sound is much less dynamic on the PS2 as well which is a minor point and one you would not even notice unless you played the other versions.
The Dual shock is easily the best controller to play SC 2 with.
GAMECUBE
SC2 looks about the same on the GC and the Xbox, which is to say fantastic. If you have a TV that can do the progressive scan thing than you will get an even bigger treat as the game supports those higher resolutions.
Link is probably the coolest of the three characters. Besides the " it's Link, and he's got the master sword!" factor, he is actually a very good fighter. All his weapons from previous games are available like bombs, arrows and even the hookshot. He may look a bit out of place but his moves mesh extremely well with the rest of the game and he at least FEELS like a character who could have been in the series since it's inception.
The sound in the GC version is significantly better than the PS2 but can't beat the sound on the Xbox.
The controller is very awkward for SC2 and it makes things like throws and guard cancels kind of hard to pull off. If you are getting the GC version invest in a fighting stick.
As far as ease of importing the GC is the best choice since it now has a boot disk available for playing imports. No modification required just slip in the boot disk and your good to go. Similar items came out for the Dreamcast and the Saturn. They are a quick simple way to play Imports on your US systems.
XBOX
Just like the GC version the Xbox version looks amazing and supports the higher resolutions found on your higher end television sets.
Spawn is better than I expected but ( this is just my Nintendo fan boy opinion) doesn't have the cool factor that Link does. I was expecting him to be a slow, lumbering Astaroth clone but he's not at all. Spawn is a quick fighter with a decent assortment of long range projectile attacks and vicious kick combos that make him a more than worthy addition to the series.
The Xbox version has the best sound hands down. If you have the ability to play the game in surround sound you are in for a special treat. Sword clangs and screams echo off the walls of closed in environments and the sounds of battle jump from speaker to speaker as the fight moves around the arena.
If your using an S controller you will be fine since MS pretty much just ripped off the Dual Shock design.
The soul still burns
No matter what system you buy it for Soul Calibur 2 will not disappoint. One of the finest video games ever made is back. It really doesn't matter what you play it on. Just play it.
The Playstation 2 version of the game does not look as good as the others obviously. It does look amazing though when compared to other PS2 games. Anyone who played Virtua Fighter 4 knows that the PS2 can make a damn fine looking game. Well SC2 looks even better. The character models and backgrounds are all beautifully detailed with hardly any of the jagged edges so common in PS2 games.
The special character for the PS2 is Heihachi and I'd have to say he is once again probably the least interesting of the three. He really just doesn't seem to fit in a weapons based fighting game. I am a huge fan of Tekken and I think he is a fantastic character but this just isn't the right game for him. With that said he really does not detract from the SC 2 experience. You do not need the extra characters to have fun with this game. The roster of fighters that the game comes with is packed full of interesting and unique characters.
The sound is much less dynamic on the PS2 as well which is a minor point and one you would not even notice unless you played the other versions.
The Dual shock is easily the best controller to play SC 2 with.
GAMECUBE
SC2 looks about the same on the GC and the Xbox, which is to say fantastic. If you have a TV that can do the progressive scan thing than you will get an even bigger treat as the game supports those higher resolutions.
Link is probably the coolest of the three characters. Besides the " it's Link, and he's got the master sword!" factor, he is actually a very good fighter. All his weapons from previous games are available like bombs, arrows and even the hookshot. He may look a bit out of place but his moves mesh extremely well with the rest of the game and he at least FEELS like a character who could have been in the series since it's inception.
The sound in the GC version is significantly better than the PS2 but can't beat the sound on the Xbox.
The controller is very awkward for SC2 and it makes things like throws and guard cancels kind of hard to pull off. If you are getting the GC version invest in a fighting stick.
As far as ease of importing the GC is the best choice since it now has a boot disk available for playing imports. No modification required just slip in the boot disk and your good to go. Similar items came out for the Dreamcast and the Saturn. They are a quick simple way to play Imports on your US systems.
XBOX
Just like the GC version the Xbox version looks amazing and supports the higher resolutions found on your higher end television sets.
Spawn is better than I expected but ( this is just my Nintendo fan boy opinion) doesn't have the cool factor that Link does. I was expecting him to be a slow, lumbering Astaroth clone but he's not at all. Spawn is a quick fighter with a decent assortment of long range projectile attacks and vicious kick combos that make him a more than worthy addition to the series.
The Xbox version has the best sound hands down. If you have the ability to play the game in surround sound you are in for a special treat. Sword clangs and screams echo off the walls of closed in environments and the sounds of battle jump from speaker to speaker as the fight moves around the arena.
If your using an S controller you will be fine since MS pretty much just ripped off the Dual Shock design.
The soul still burns
No matter what system you buy it for Soul Calibur 2 will not disappoint. One of the finest video games ever made is back. It really doesn't matter what you play it on. Just play it.
04-12-03, 04:36 PM
#2
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All 3 versions look identical, unless you have an HDTV that can display 720p for the X-Box version. I've played them all side by side, so I can guarantee this.
In fact, just look at some comparison pictures of all three versions here:
http://www.felixmcli.org/sc2-480i.html
Can you really tell the difference?
In fact, just look at some comparison pictures of all three versions here:
http://www.felixmcli.org/sc2-480i.html
Can you really tell the difference?
04-12-03, 05:45 PM
#3
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Is it me? Or, do those screen grabs look a little blurry? I still think the xbox version will look the best, then cube ,then ps2. No console bashing here just the facts of the capabilities of the hardware.
04-12-03, 06:23 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think overall the textures look a little bit cleaner in the GC and the Xbox versions. Also, the jaggies are slightly less on the GC and Xbox too. But unless you look very closely, it's not really that noticeable.
04-12-03, 08:22 PM
#5
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it me? Or, do those screen grabs look a little blurry? I still think the xbox version will look the best, then cube ,then ps2. No console bashing here just the facts of the capabilities of the hardware.
04-12-03, 08:23 PM
#6
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think overall the textures look a little bit cleaner in the GC and the Xbox versions. Also, the jaggies are slightly less on the GC and Xbox too. But unless you look very closely, it's not really that noticeable.
Last edited by William Wallace; 04-12-03 at 08:28 PM.
04-13-03, 11:36 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I imported the GC version and I already have my preorder for the xbox version. Hopefully, they will keep the original japanese dialogue because I'm hearing rumors that it will only be dubbed. Which I think would be pretty stupid if that holds true.
04-14-03, 12:35 AM
#9
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by kaiyouske
Well, I imported the GC version and I already have my preorder for the xbox version. Hopefully, they will keep the original japanese dialogue because I'm hearing rumors that it will only be dubbed. Which I think would be pretty stupid if that holds true.
Well, I imported the GC version and I already have my preorder for the xbox version. Hopefully, they will keep the original japanese dialogue because I'm hearing rumors that it will only be dubbed. Which I think would be pretty stupid if that holds true.
04-14-03, 03:42 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, like I said it's a 'rumor' so just treat it as that. 
But I am curious to hear how the dub sounds like...that is if they do decide to include both (which is what I'm hoping). But do you guys remember how in the US version of Soul Calibur, you couldn't change the color of Sophitia's panties whereas the Japanese version you could? Wasn't that a treat? :P
But I am curious to hear how the dub sounds like...that is if they do decide to include both (which is what I'm hoping). But do you guys remember how in the US version of Soul Calibur, you couldn't change the color of Sophitia's panties whereas the Japanese version you could? Wasn't that a treat? :P
04-14-03, 01:13 PM
#12
Retired
I'm still getting the GC version. Don't have an X-box, and Heihachi is a lame extra character.
Don't care whether it's dubbed or not, as I just care about the gameplay, I usually jam on the buttons to skip all the talking crap before and after fights anyway.
Don't care whether it's dubbed or not, as I just care about the gameplay, I usually jam on the buttons to skip all the talking crap before and after fights anyway.
04-14-03, 11:53 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Josh Hinkle
Don't care whether it's dubbed or not, as I just care about the gameplay, I usually jam on the buttons to skip all the talking crap before and after fights anyway.
Don't care whether it's dubbed or not, as I just care about the gameplay, I usually jam on the buttons to skip all the talking crap before and after fights anyway.
It's funny that in this if you press buttons on the versus screen the characters will talk to each other. Heh. Jam away!
04-15-03, 01:23 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's funny that in this if you press buttons on the versus screen the characters will talk to each other. Heh. Jam away! [/B]
04-15-03, 02:44 AM
#16
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by kaiyouske
Yes, but it will only work once per versus screen so umm....choose your dialogue wisely....? :P
Yes, but it will only work once per versus screen so umm....choose your dialogue wisely....? :P
04-15-03, 09:20 AM
#17
DVD Talk Special Edition
Originally posted by Josh Hinkle
I'm still getting the GC version. Don't have an X-box, and Heihachi is a lame extra character.
Don't care whether it's dubbed or not, as I just care about the gameplay, I usually jam on the buttons to skip all the talking crap before and after fights anyway.
I'm still getting the GC version. Don't have an X-box, and Heihachi is a lame extra character.
Don't care whether it's dubbed or not, as I just care about the gameplay, I usually jam on the buttons to skip all the talking crap before and after fights anyway.
04-15-03, 12:23 PM
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Hmm... Gamecube or PS2? I have to admit, I dread playing a fighting game with the Gamecube's controller (which I like for other games).
04-16-03, 01:24 AM
#19
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally posted by fujishig
Hmm... Gamecube or PS2? I have to admit, I dread playing a fighting game with the Gamecube's controller (which I like for other games).
Hmm... Gamecube or PS2? I have to admit, I dread playing a fighting game with the Gamecube's controller (which I like for other games).
L trigger - Block
R trigger - Block
A button - A
B button - Block
Y button - B
X button - Kick
Z button - soul charge up
It may LOOK complicated but its all about adjustment.
04-16-03, 08:33 AM
#20
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: MD
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by fujishig
Hmm... Gamecube or PS2? I have to admit, I dread playing a fighting game with the Gamecube's controller (which I like for other games).
Hmm... Gamecube or PS2? I have to admit, I dread playing a fighting game with the Gamecube's controller (which I like for other games).
Look here my friend.
04-16-03, 12:06 PM
#21
Retired
I'm not a big fan of the PS2 controller either so that didn't factor into my decision. Neither controller is ideal for fighting games.
I've always hated the PS controllers D-pads, and the analog stick is in an awkward place in my opinion (given that it's used most of the time it should be where the D-pad is).
Either way there's an adjustment, so I'll go with the GC (at least the analog stick is in a comfortable place) with it's likely better graphics and Link.
I've always hated the PS controllers D-pads, and the analog stick is in an awkward place in my opinion (given that it's used most of the time it should be where the D-pad is).
Either way there's an adjustment, so I'll go with the GC (at least the analog stick is in a comfortable place) with it's likely better graphics and Link.
04-16-03, 01:25 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Man, I really don't know why people think that the GC controller sucks to play SC. I've actually been using it more than my Hori stick and I'm happy to say that it plays great with the GC pad. Yes, it's doable so quit yer naggin' and don't complain unless you've actually played the game with it. Personally, I detest the PS2 controller. Can't stand Sony's silly embedded dpad. That always drove me nuts.
04-16-03, 02:18 PM
#23
Retired
I generally prefer to play fighting games with a D-pad (I guess b/c my first experience with fighters was on the SNES) and the GC's D-pad is too small and out of place to use as the main control.
But like you said, I also hate sony's lame embedded D-pad.
So I guess I'll have to learn to play it with the analog stick (as I've never liked arcade sticks, never got used to them because I rarely ever played arcade games). As said above, I hate the location of the PS2's analog stick, so the GCN controller wins this debate for me.
But like you said, I also hate sony's lame embedded D-pad.
So I guess I'll have to learn to play it with the analog stick (as I've never liked arcade sticks, never got used to them because I rarely ever played arcade games). As said above, I hate the location of the PS2's analog stick, so the GCN controller wins this debate for me.
04-17-03, 02:11 AM
#24
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was worried that the PS2 version would be terrible compared to the rest,even though im mad about Namcos choice with Heiachi im getting it for controller reasons and its the only console I have ATM.