In any case, the Project Soul team stayed tuned and tried to fill one of the main weaknesses of SoulCalibur V. Indeed, while the first announcements evoked an ambitious Story mode, the 2012 game did not offered only a short and linear campaign, far from the memorable Edgemaster mode established in the console version of SoulEdge, for example. Thus, SoulCalibur VI offers not one, but two scripted modes. Chronicles of Soul allows you to experience the journeys of each of the playable characters, while the Scales of Soul lets the player create their own avatar before experiencing the legend of the SoulEdge sword from a new point of view. Those who intend above all to play this SoulCalibur solo then have reason to rejoice, but some details could nevertheless tarnish this picture which seems idyllic at first sight.
The narration which goes through endless dialogues on fixed images makes the rhythm quite laborious and the few awkwardnesses which enamel the texts come from time to time to spoil the immersion.
The narration which goes through endless dialogues on fixed images makes the rhythm quite laborious and the few awkwardnesses which enamel the texts come from time to time to spoil the immersion. It must be said to be very fussy to stop at these few points after these years of scarcity. Because, looking closer, we see that the studio has made real efforts to satisfy the fans. It is also to this second mode that players should devote the most time since it gives the opportunity to live a real epic with the false air of RPG, between the levels of experience, the weapons to be acquired in combat or at the merchants and the many side quests that punctuate the adventure. It is even possible to recruit mercenaries along the way to support your character during the fights, which recalls in passing the Chronicles of the Sword mode of SoulCalibur III. Moreover, not only this campaign is rather consistent since it takes about ten hours before seeing the end of it, but it is also possible to replay it by following another path. Because, the player is regularly led to make choices that precisely tip the balance between Good and Evil, which leads to different outcomes.
UNDER THE STAR OF DESTINY
If the "Chronicles of Souls" and "Soul Balance" modes give pride of place to the story, it is towards the classic "Arcade" mode that you have to turn to chain the fights without frills. This is to defeat eight opponents in a row, knowing that the stopwatch records the time elapsed and that you can get a bronze, silver or gold medal depending on your performance. The Duel mode also allows you to face the AI or another player in single matches. On the other hand, it is necessary to ignore variants such as Survival and Team Battle modes, which were nevertheless essential for Namco productions a few years ago but which today seem to have fallen into oblivion, unfortunately. You can always console yourself by looking for a multitude of rivals online, whether in ranked or friendly matches. The lucky ones who have already got their hands on the game and who have encountered lag problems during network battles can also be reassured, since a patch has already improved things a lot. However, the game takes quite a while to find opponents in ranked matches, but this should improve once the public has arrived in droves on the servers.
Especially since, as is the current trend in the world of fighting games, the Project Soul team wanted to make its new production more accessible.
Finally, the inventory of content would not be complete without mentioning the list of playable characters. That of SoulCalibur VI has 21 (22 if we count Tira, the first additional character to be purchased), a number that may seem low at first glance, but which ultimately turns out to be honest insofar as the title offers variety. To make the comparison, the fifth installment has 28 fighters once they were all unlocked; but that number includes several Edge Master variants, warriors who randomly pick up the fighting styles of other cast members. Early fans will however have noted some notable absences, such as that of Hwang or Yun Seong, but also the returns of Taki, Xianghua, and the real Killik, respectively replaced by Natsu, Leixia and Xiba in the previous episode, or again Talim, an extremely popular figure in the series. We can finally count on the indestructible Mitsurugi, Sophitia or even Siegfried who proudly hold their rank alongside newcomers with new combat techniques such as Groh and Azwell. The first uses a double sword that he can split in two during certain attacks and surprises with his great speed, while the second is able to summon a multitude of weapons in order to control space. Finally, it is a distinguished guest who completes the selection screen: from the saga The Witcher, Geralt fits perfectly into the SoulCalibur universe. If this list is, whatever happens, brought to evolve, it is through additional paid content already partially announced, a habit now well established among publishers. This practice always attracts great reluctance from the consumer who, in doubt, would do better to wait for more details from Bandai Namco before obtaining the Season Pass.
FLUID LIKE WATER
Players who intend to support the SoulCalibur license at all costs, on the other hand, expect only one thing above all: a game that lives up to its reputation in terms of system and sensations. At this level, if it is necessarily too early to express an opinion on its competitive aspect at a high level, it must be admitted that SoulCalibur VI proves to be solid enough to attract the favors of an audience which seeks above all to have fun. Thus, we find the flexible and instinctive maneuverability which makes the matches dynamic and disputed as long as we play with an opponent of equivalent level. Especially since, as is the current trend in the world of fighting games, the Project Soul team wanted to make its new production more accessible.
It is with this in mind that the Reversal Edge, or Revirement Edge in French, was designed. This technique makes it possible to interrupt the opposing offensive and launch a sequence that works according to the principle of rock-paper-scissors. The action is then slowed down for a brief moment and each player must make a choice: the vertical attack beats the horizontal attack, while the latter has the advantage on the kick which takes over the vertical attack. . But things are more complex since other options come into the equation, such as custody and different moves. So, even if the Reversal Edge can be used at will, without tapping into the Soul Gauge, and the player who throws it has a slight advantage, using this technique remains a risky bet. On the one hand, a bad choice can directly return to the one who took the initiative. On the other hand, it is possible to avoid it with a side step, since it is systematically initiated by a vertical attack, or even to interrupt it with a guard break or an unstoppable blow and to punish the player who finds itself particularly vulnerable. Since the Reversal Edge is relatively slow to start and is indicated by a specific visual effect, those who abuse it may eventually face severe penalties.
THE SOUL OF THE WARRIOR
In addition to this novelty, Project Soul has also modified some existing elements, starting with the Soul Charge. When this is triggered, the character pushes back his opponent and enters a phase during which some of his attacks are more powerful or have additional properties, it is also an opportunity to launch the Brave Edge, or variants " EX” special moves, from SoulCalibur V. Like some V-Triggers from Street Fighter V, it's a way to turn around a badly embarked situation, but at the cost of a weakened defense. In addition, Critical Edges, ultimate attacks that also appeared in the previous episode, are now executed by pressing the three attack keys (A+B+K) or a dedicated hotkey, which allows everyone to throw them easily. This is another detail that may irritate purists, especially since some of these furies seem more difficult to punish than others when they are missed.
If there is one point that is likely to disappoint, it is the realization. However, SoulCalibur VI is far from being ugly, in absolute terms. But the successful design of the characters and environments struggles to hide some technical weaknesses, such as aliased outlines and sets that sometimes lack detail in addition to being quite few.
Finally, the developers wanted to make the combos simpler and it is possible to chain more attacks by simply pressing the horizontal or vertical attack key several times in a row. This is likely to entice beginners to hammer buttons, much to the annoyance of average players trying to play clean; but, faced with someone more experienced, we again expose ourselves to harsh reprisals, since these simple sequences are sufficiently readable to be interrupted, in particular by a Guard Impact. Guard Impact which also returns to traditional operation, without tapping into the special gauge, even if there is only a version here to counter high and low attacks. In the end, although things have to be confirmed in the long term, fears related to the more accessible aspect of SoulCalibur VI are swept away, at least in part, since the elements that seemed to be problematic can be managed with a little practice. .
A (SLIGHTLY) BLUNT BLADE
If there is one point that is likely to disappoint, it is the realization. However, SoulCalibur VI is far from being ugly, in absolute terms. But the successful design of the characters and environments struggles to hide some technical weaknesses, such as aliased outlines and sets that sometimes lack detail in addition to being quite few. If we add to this rather long loading times, we obtain a table that is not up to what the saga had always shown so far. We can nevertheless count on an animation always so fluid and detailed which gives each duel enough energy so that we come back to it constantly, just like the music always so epic. There are also some classic themes alongside new compositions for a soundtrack that will surely rekindle the flame in the souls of many players. So if we can find things to complain about this SoulCalibur VI, we can still admit that the bulk of the contract is fulfilled. We now hope that this new chapter is a new beginning for a saga that remains legendary forever.
