Soul Calibur II (ソウルキャリバーII, Souru Kyaribā Tsū^?) is a versus fighting game developed and published by Namco and the third installment in the Soul video game series. Video games are categorized into genres based on their gameplay. ... This article describes fighting games in which opponents face off in a battle. ... Centipede by Atari is a typical example of a 1980s era arcade game. ... The Nintendo GameCube , GCN) is Nintendos fourth home video game console, belonging to the sixth generation era. ... The PlayStation 2 , abbreviated PS2) is Sonys second video game console, the successor to the PlayStation and the predecessor to the PlayStation 3. ... The Xbox is a sixth generation era video game console produced by Microsoft Corporation. ... Joystick elements: 1. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Button (computing). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Dual Analog Controller. ... This arcade cabinet, containing Centipede, is an upright. ... An arcade system board is a standardized printed circuit board or group of printed circuit boards that are used as the basis for multiple arcade games with very similar hardware requirements. ... The Namco System 246 is a development of the Sony Playstation 2 technology as a basis for an arcade system board. ... This article describes fighting games in which opponents face off in a battle. ... Namco Ltd ) is a amusement company based in Japan, best known overseas for video games development. ...

Soul Calibur is the name of the holy sword, created to battle the evil sword Soul Edge, which the games' story-lines revolve around. These are descriptions of the various mystical weapons in the Soul series of video games. ... These are descriptions of the various mystical weapons in the Soul series of video games. ...

Compared to Soul Calibur, Soul Calibur II boasts improved graphics and introduces new characters, stages, and music. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Computer graphics is a sub-field of computer science and is concerned with digitally synthesizing and manipulating visual content. ...

Key game engine improvements include:

• More powerful "step" and "avoid" systems, which made evading vertical attacks noticeably easier.
• Arena walls, rather than ring-out ability on all sides, and wall-specific moves.
• A three-step Soul Charge system.
• A clash system, one that is used when two attacks would hit each other resulting in a white flash and no damage to either opponent.
• Guard break attacks, which put a blocking player into a post guard-impact state
• Just Frame moves, which awarded additional hits to players who could time their command inputs well

Reaction and criticism

Media reviews of Soul Calibur II were overwhelmingly favorable, as the game earned over 91% for all versions on Gamerankings.com, and commerically the game sold well. It has also earned a 9.2/10 from IGN.

The game also did well in the competitive gaming scene, both in the US and abroad, where it was featured in many tournaments for the years after it came out. The game was particularly noted for its balance, as many different characters placed in top levels in tournaments.

After repeated high level play, however, criticisms arose, most notably in some potentially game-breaking bugs which were found, including the 2G bug (which allowed players to block immediately after being Guard Impacted) and G-Step (which allowed players to sidestep vertical attacks and immediately cancel their sidestep, allowing for instant punishment). Many moves in Soul Calibur 2 are also safe on block, and characters such as Astaroth benefit more from the Guard Impact system than others.

Story

The game is set 4 years after the end of Soul Calibur, which based on calculations from a timeline released on the Soul Archive website, puts the game's story in the year 1591.

The wave of slaughters that terrorized Europe reached a sudden end. The knight in azure armor, Nightmare, and his followers were successful in collecting enough souls and were about to start the restoring ceremony on the ruins of the once-proud Osthreinsburg Castle. But just as the ceremony was to start, three young warriors assaulted the castle. In a matter of time the clan was defeated and Nightmare stood in front of the young warriors wielding the Sacred Trinity. After an intense battle Nightmare fell, but then the evil soul inside Soul Edge sent the young warriors into a vortex of hellfire and stood to confront them. As a result of Soul Edge's evil aura, Krita-Yuga revealed its true form: that of the Holy Sword, Soul Calibur.

The intense battle ended with the victory of the holy sword, but at the collapse of the vortex of Inferno, both swords along with the azure Nightmare were sucked in a void and expelled in another place. Siegfried Schtauffen, who was until a moment before the Azure Knight, restored his mind. Recognizing his sins, he set on a journey of atonement. Still the blade held a strong bond, and every night it took control of the body and took souls of those nearby. The efforts made by the young knight were fruitless, and four years later the Azure Nightmare returned.

Around those times various warriors came into contact of the blade's remaining fragments, revealing Soul Edge's ultimate survival after its defeat. Driven either to possess or destroy it, they join a new journey, while Nightmare starts his rampage anew, seeking souls to restore Soul Edge once again...

New characters

Talim fighting Astaroth in Soul Calibur II.

New Soul characters introduced in Soul Calibur II: Image File history File links This is a screenshot of a copyrighted website, video game graphic, computer program graphic, television broadcast, or film. ... Image File history File links This is a screenshot of a copyrighted website, video game graphic, computer program graphic, television broadcast, or film. ... Talim (タリム Tarimu) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Astaroth (アスタロス Asutarosu) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ...

• Cassandra - Sword and Shield
• Charade - Imitative Power
• Necrid (Only on Home Versions) - Transforming Energy called Enigma
• Raphael - Rapier
• Talim - Dual Elbow blades (Bladed Tonfas)
• Yunsung - Chinese sword (correctly spelled Hong Yun-seong in Soul Calibur III)

Raphael and Talim's playing styles are entirely unique, while Cassandra and Yun-seong's are derived from established characters Sophitia and Hwang, respectively. Charade, like his predecessors Edge Master and Inferno, switches his style to match existing characters' movelists with each individual round of fighting. Each of the home versions also included Necrid, who was not included in the arcade version of Soul Calibur II. Necrid, like Spawn, was personally designed by comic book artist Todd McFarlane. Cassandra Alexandra (カサンドラ・アレクサンドル Kasandora Arekusandoru) is a fictional character from the Soul series of fighting games. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... An aspis (Ancient Greek Ασπις, IPA [aspis]) is the generic term for the word shield. ... Charade (シャレード Charade) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Imitation is an advanced animal behaviour whereby an individual observes anothers behaviour and replicates it itself. ... Necrid (ネクリッド Nekuriddo) is a fictional character designed by Todd McFarlane for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Raphael Sorel ) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Talim (タリム Tarimu) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... A Wooden Tonfa The tonfa, also known as tong fa or tuifa, is a traditional Okinawan weapon from which the modern side-handled police baton is derived. ... Hong Yun Sung (洪 潤星 Hon Yunsun) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Soul Calibur III ) is the sequel to Soul Calibur II and is the fourth overall installment in the Soul series of fighting games. ... Sophitia Alexandra (ソフィーテーア・アレクサンドル Sofītīa Arekusandoru) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Hwang Seong-gyeong is a fictional Korean character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Edge Master ) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Inferno ) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Necrid (ネクリッド Nekuriddo) is a fictional character designed by Todd McFarlane for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this comics-related article or section may require cleanup. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Todd McFarlane (born March 16, 1961 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada) is a Canadian cartoonist, comic book writer, artist, toy manufacturer/designer, and media entrepreneur. ...

Rounding out the characters were returning fighters Seung Mina and Sophitia from both Soul Edge and Soul Calibur. Also, the North American, Australian and European versions of the game contained three limited-play characters loosely based on characters from Soul Calibur: ... Sophitia Alexandra (ソフィーテーア・アレクサンドル Sofītīa Arekusandoru) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... World map showing the location of Europe. ...

• Assassin (generic thug, with a move list derived from Hwang) - Dao
• Berserker (generic thug, with a move list derived from Rock) - Double-Edged Axe
• Lizardman (generic lizardman from the army created by the cult order, Fygul Cestemus, in Soul Calibur) - Sword and Shield

From the Soul Calibur character roster, the ones that did not return for Soul Calibur II as characters themselves were Hwang Seong-gyeong, Nathaniel "Rock" Adams, Lizardman (as the lizardman in the game is not the same one as in Soul Calibur), and Edge Master. Inferno is in the game, only this time, he is not a playable character. Chinese Saber (wushu variant used for ceremonial purposes only) Dao (Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: tao1) is a category of single-edge Chinese swords primarily used for slashing and chopping (sabers), often called broadswords in English because some varieties have wide blades. ... Axe For other uses, see Axe (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... An aspis (Ancient Greek Ασπις, IPA [aspis]) is the generic term for the word shield. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Hwang Seong-gyeong is a fictional Korean character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Nathaniel Rock Adams (ロック・アダムズ Rokku Adamuzu) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Aeon Calcos (アイオーン・カルコス Aion Karukosu) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Edge Master ) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Inferno ) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ...

Ports

Soul Calibur II was ported to Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, and PlayStation 2. It is also notable that each of the three home console versions had unique characters exclusive to that version: The Xbox is a sixth generation era video game console produced by Microsoft Corporation. ... The Nintendo GameCube , GCN) is Nintendos fourth home video game console, belonging to the sixth generation era. ... The PlayStation 2 , abbreviated PS2) is Sonys second video game console, the successor to the PlayStation and the predecessor to the PlayStation 3. ...

• Heihachi Mishima (from the Tekken game series; appears in the PlayStation 2 version) - Gauntlets
• Link (from The Legend of Zelda series; appears in the GameCube version) - Master Sword and Hylian Shield
• Spawn (from Todd McFarlane's comic book series; appears in the Xbox version) - Axe formed using his cape.

This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Tekken is a fighting game and first of the series of the same name. ... Pair of gauntlets, Germany, end of the 16th century Gauntlet is a name for several different styles of glove. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A Legend of Zelda series logo The Legend of Zelda series (often shortened to Zelda, TLoZ, or LoZ), by Nintendo, is a series of video games created by celebrated game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. ... The Master Sword on its pedestal seen in A Link to the Past. ... This is a list of fictional weapons and other items for the Nintendo 64 game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Todd McFarlane (born March 16, 1961 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada) is a Canadian cartoonist, comic book writer, artist, toy manufacturer/designer, and media entrepreneur. ... Axe For other uses, see Axe (disambiguation). ...

Modes and features

Modes and other features added to the Home Versions:

• Soul Calibur II presented the normal modes from most fighting games: Arcade, Team Battle Mode (similar to arcade, but with teams of up to 8 characters and without cutscenes or endings), Time Attack (fight against the clock to gain records), Survival Battle and Training Mode. There are also "Extra" versions of these modes, intended to allow the use of the Extra Weapons. Worth mentioning is that Arcade's 7th battle is called a "Destined Battle", a battle predefined that never changes. Each character has one according to their story, and are shared by groups of two (MitsurugiTaki, TakiMitsurugi) with the exception of the console-exclusive characters.
• A returning feature from Soul Edge is the inclusion of Extra Weapons. Instead of Soul Edge's system of different stats, this one is based on power %, defense % and special abilities (drains energy, pass through defense, etc). Each character has 12 different weapons, from the standard (basic) weapons for 1P and 2P to the powerful "Ultimate Weapon". Also each one was granted a Soul Edge version of their arms and a "Joke Weapon", weapons with bad stats and effect, and with unique, and funny, hit sounds. Each weapon is given a backstory in the "Weapon Gallery".
• The Arcade version has a unique mode called "Conquest Mode". Conquest Mode allows the player to pick an army, fight enemies and gain experience points, allowing it to increase the level of the selected player.
• "Weapon Master Mode" takes the core system from "Conquest Mode" and expands upon it. This mode, made in a similar fashion to Soul Edge's "Edge Master Mode" and Soul Calibur's "Mission Mode", presents a history set in an alternate world, while the player moves in a map divided in "regions" (named after stars) and fight enemies to gain experience points (and raise the "rank" of the character) and money (which could be later used to bought weapons, art, costumes and videos). The mode counts with 10 normal chapters, 4 sub-chapters and 2 extra-chapters as well as Extra-Missions (alternate version of normal missions). The plot of the mode puts the player into the role of a swordsman searching Soul Edge, which suddenly is faced against a powerful mad knight named Veral, who searches Soul Edge for his own desires.
• As in Soul Calibur, there is a "Museum", containing character artwork, various videos (like Arcade Intro or WMM intro and Ending) and Weapon Exhibition (or "katas"). There is also the "Profile Viewer" (to see character's stories) and "Battle Theater" (to see CPU vs CPU battles).
• Like before, some characters are granted with 3rd costumes, purchased in Weapon Master Mode. Out of the 25 selectable characters, only 13 were granted a 3rd costume: Astaroth, Cassandra, Ivy, Mitsurugi, Nightmare, Raphael, Seong Mi-na, Sophitia, Taki, Talim, Voldo and Xianghua. It should also be noted that Link has four costumes (exactly like the ones that he has in Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64), and Assassin, Berserker and Lizardman each have 6 different costumes (3 color edits of their 2 standard costumes).
• The game also featured the option to hear the characters speak in Japanese or English.

Soul Edge ) is the first installment in the Soul series of fighting games developed and published by Namco. ... Soul Edge ) is the first installment in the Soul series of fighting games developed and published by Namco. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Kata (型 or 形) (literally: form) is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs. ... Astaroth (アスタロス Asutarosu) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Cassandra Alexandra (カサンドラ・アレクサンドル Cassandra Alexander) is a fictional character from the Soul series of fighting games. ... Isabella Ivy Valentine (イザベラ・バレンタイン - アイヴィー Izabera Barentain - Aivī) is a fictional character designed for the Soul series of fighting games. ... Heishiro Mitsurugi ) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Nightmare ) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games, making his debut in Soul Calibur. ... Raphael Sorel (ラファエル・ソレル Rafaeru Soreru) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Seong Mi-na (Hanja: 成美那 Hangul: 성미나 Katakana: ソン・ミナ) is a fictional Korean character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Sophitia Alexandra (ソフィーテーア・アレクサンドル Sofītīa Arekusandoru) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Taki ) is a fictional character designed for the Soul series of fighting games, making her debut in the first game on the series, Soul Edge. ... Talim (タリム Tarimu) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Voldo ) is a fictional character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Chai Xianghua , Chinese: 柴香華 Pinyin: Chái Xiānghuà) is a fictional Chinese character designed for the Soul Series of fighting games. ... Super Smash Bros. ... This section needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ...

Reviews

Game Rankings currently scores it 91.6% for the PlayStation 2, 92.5% for the Gamecube, and 91.8% for the Xbox. Game Rankings is a website which keeps track of video game reviews from other sites, and combines them to present an average rating for each game. ... The PlayStation 2 , abbreviated PS2) is Sonys second video game console, the successor to the PlayStation and the predecessor to the PlayStation 3. ... The Nintendo GameCube (Japanese: ゲームキューブ; originally code-named Dolphin during development; abbreviated as GCN) is Nintendos fourth home video game console, belonging to the 128-bit era; the same generation as Segas Dreamcast, Sonys PlayStation 2, and Microsofts Xbox. ... The Xbox is a sixth generation era video game console produced by Microsoft Corporation. ...

Awards

• E3 2003 Game Critics Awards: Best Fighting Game
• X-Play - 10th best GameCube game of all time

E³ logo The Electronic Entertainment Expo, commonly known as E³, was an annual trade show for the computer and video games industry presented by the Entertainment Software Association. ... The Game Critics Awards are a set of prestigious annual awards held after the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E³) since 1998 to current. ... X-Play logo X-Play (previously Gamespot TV and Extended Play) is a video game review television show hosted by Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb. ...

External links

• Official Project Soul website
• Official Soul Calibur forums
• Soul Calibur II at GameFAQs
• IGN GC review
• Team Crooked Jester, New Jersey Tournament Community
• The Stage of History - Soul Calibur Fansite with lots of information and Pictures