[ Closed ] Soul Calibur 2

I was optimistic at first... The fighting genre really appeals to me, but I didn’t like the sound of this fighter... The console specific chars are out of place, and do not fit with the game... After my countless consideration on buying this game and for which system, I checked countless reviews, and went to the mall, Kmart, and Walmart to play all 3 versions....(not all at the same time may I mind you =p I do have a life...)  I came to the conclusion that the PS2 version in no way was going to be my first choice. Slow down and countless bugs were riddled through out the game, long load times and for a weapon based game, PS2's console specific dude was off of Tekken and had no weapon.... bummer... Both Xbox and Gamecube has better graphics.. So I crossed it off the list.. Only thing good about PS2's version is the controller... Unless of course you are using the imported Fight Pad (SNES shaped controller, built for fighting games for the Gamecube..)

I evaluated the Xbox version next, it has the Superior graphics over Gamecube.. but not by much, Its load times were much shorter, but bad karma on the controller.... Spawn fit the weapon scheme at least, but he was highly out of place... but I could deal with it...

Next came the Gamecube’s version.. I am a serious Nintendo Fanboy, but I didn't believe Link really belonged in the game, and I would always buy Quality, not just pick it up so and so system because im a fanboy... The Graphics were sharp and Smooth, but the controls were funky at first until I got used to it, they used a decent storyline to link Link into the game, and he was fairly balanced and a good starting character.... What took the cake on the gamecube version for me was the complete absence of load times....

                           Playstation 2            Xbox              Gamecube

Controls                        10                    3                   8 
Graphics                         5                   10                   9 
Spec. Characters                 3                    5                   7  
Bugs/Slowdowns                   5                   10                  10    
Loadtimes                        2                    7                  10 
Overall                          5                    7                   9 

Winner: Gamecube

Those are not overall scores on what I give this game.. Those were Scores from me evaluating the games against each other... I made my decision to buy the Gamecube version... After I opened it up I read the instructions, they were a little confusing, and the first 3 matches of the Weapons Master were a bit confusing.. I went to Vs. Mode with a friend to get more familiar with the controls... The versions I played in the store used grimey controllers, and hard to play with... I quickly remembered some stuff I did on the store versions and was quickly familiar with the controls.. I had no problems needing to adjust with the Gamecube controller it was fine... We played every Character that was on the original roster...(Had nothing unlocked yet)... As usual I disliked slow and powerful.. I went for the fast and quick with low defense... at the time I wasn’t sure which were which.. So I picked the smaller Guys and gals, rather that the burley tanks and Shemale (Ivy)... Link was my first choice... Link was a very well balanced character, he had Avg. Defense, Avg. Offense, and was decently quick... He became an instant favorite.. I wasn’t going to play him the entire time though so I switched chars.. decided to try one of the girls... My choice was based on hotness  I wanted to see some Tits jiggle in the air.... but the girls seemed to be fast and well placed... The first chick I picked wasn't that fast of a fighter.. She used a shield though so decent Defense... I picked her skimpier outfit.. but unlike Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance... These chicks didn't have as big of tits and didn’t see much jiggling... ok.. now we can talk about the fighting and the tits heh.... Casandra was the chicks name... She wasn’t that decent, but I managed through her.. Lost to my friend in the third match... I instantly hated Ring Outs... but I grew to love them later on... (Link has a cheap throw if you can back your opponent up to the edge).. Eventually I played every single character and let me tell you... Necrid = over powered... He was Fast, Strong, and Avg. to High Defense... I dislike Necrid though, I am uncertain why.... After my friend left I got sometime to the game alone, and became hopelessly addicted.... I beat Weapon Master Mode, and unlocked Extra Weapon Master Mode... Currently I am searching for the Last Character I need... Lizardman... and I'm buying up the rest of the weapons... Which I may add I love the ability to buy better weapons... Some have Long Range, low Defense but high offense (and vice versa), short range and powerful... So many choices... When I began playing Weapon Master mode, I did not use Link... I became a HUGE fan of a Female character, Xianghua, she was impressively fast and decent defense. Her weapon was a sword, one handed Quick and yet not to weak.. After I beat Weapon Master Mode, I took Link and started on the Extra Weapon Master Mode... I am currently doing this... I have played every mode and yet, I enjoy Weapon Master Mode the most...

The ability to gain more weapons and use those weapons is what makes this game stand out... The characters are VERY well balanced, except for Necrid, and the story is deep and detailed... Secrets are plentiful, and the Weapon Master mode plays like a RPG, which is awesome... This game is Missing nothing at all, it has a very nice Roster, and very easy to figure out what to do...

Good: Amazing Graphics, No loadtimes(GC only), Challenging play
Bad: Confusing to start out, In Weapon Master Mode, story goes by faster than you can read sometimes....

Sound: 10 (Great tracks, nothing repetitive, nothing annoying)
Graphics: 10 (Looks sweeter than it plays... and it plays good)
Controls: 9 (When you figure everything out, controls are simple)
Replay: 9 (Trust me, you will be playing this over and over again)
Presentation: 10 (a great Intro)
Gameplay: 10 (The deep fighting system carries the game for the most part)
Console Pick: Gamecube (No competition if you have all 3 consoles)

Overall: 10   

I would like to add the overall Score does not have anything to do with the Sound Score, Graphic score.. ect.... It is my Overall opinion Score of the game....  Also, console Scores are competitive... Graphics get a 10 for all 3 systems but compared to the Xbox PS2 only gets a 3.... This is almost as unbiased as you can get... the fact that I am a Nintendo Fanboy means nothing... I reviewed this game based on what I saw and played, not what system I enjoy better... Anyways......

Soul Calibur 2 is a must get on any system... Look for more Fireborn Reviews, when I have School Cancellations!!!