There's a lot to be said for watching humans whack each other
with swords. Soul Calibur IV doesn't
exactly refine that simple formula; it just packs in more pathos and fewer
clothes. Three dozen characters fight one-on-one in lush environments, all for
glory, or a demonic sword, or… something. The anemic story mode, built from a
set of one-round bouts, is brief and eminently forgettable. But who plays Soul
Calibur for the story?
Combat is less frenetic than in some fighters. Speed reduction
allows slightly more time to think about attacks, which is a pleasant surprise.
That gives button-mashers some leeway; flailing on the attack buttons will
still unleash an amazing move as often as not. Even theatrical finishing moves
don't require arcane button combinations; players simply beat enemies until
their armor falls off, then tap one button. Yet those without serious knowledge
of advanced moves and defensive timing will cruise along until the CPU quietly
shifts into overdrive, at which point battles quickly end in failure.
Keep scrolling for more great stories from A.V. Club.