• Platform: Xbox
• Media: Video Game

SoulCalibur's brilliance is not due to any particularly innovative features--it could legitimately be described as simply Tekken with weapons. It's just that it does everything with more panache and imagination than the rest. Instead of awkward, staccato moves, SoulCalibur offers gloriously flowing, instinctive combos that often leaves you gasping at your own character's athleticism.

Of course beat-'em-ups aren't known for their innovation and SoulCalibur II doesn't really deviate too far from its original premise of 16th century men and women hitting each other with a variety of swords, sticks and other meleé weapons. The whole tactical nature of the battles has been altered, though, to create a deeper game with blocks and counters now far more important and the glorious new animation system able to adapt each move depending on the direction and speed you're moving in.

One point of true innovation in the original game was its unusually complex and rewarding single-player mode and this has been expanded for the sequel as you compete under a variety of different conditions to earn money and buy new weapons, costumes and extras. --David Jenkins

Manufacturer's Description
It's been four years since the Spirit Sword, SoulCalibur, held the evil sword Soul Edge at bay and its pieces were spread across the world. Now Soul Edge's still-powerful shards are exerting their influence on the world. SoulCalibur II tells of those who seek the sword and explores their reasons for doing so. Thirteen familiar warriors and many new ones compete for the Spirit Sword and their own souls in seven exciting game modes including Arcade, Time Attack, Survival and Team Battle modes. The all-new Weapons Master mode lets you wield more than 200 weapons and items. Unlockable characters, costumes and arenas will provide nonstop action, excitement and surprises as you go one-on-one against your favourite characters.