Pros: Great graphics, tons of game modes, good replay value
Cons: Only 2 players
The bottom line: A must own game for Dreamcast owners.
Soul Calibur is the best fighting game on Dreamcast and maybe even the best that out of all fighting games ever created. This was one of the most anticipated games along with Sonic Adventure when the Dreamcast first came out back in 1999.

This game wasn't one of the most anticipated games for no reason. This is the sequel to Soul Blade, which was for the original Playstation. While I never actually owned Soul Blade from what I have heard most of the characters from the original made it to the sequel and those that did not have someone who has either a very similar fighting style, appearance, or maybe a combination of both. Namco is the company that developed this game and their team did an excellent job. Fighting games must be Namco's specialty with all the great fighting games they have created (this game, the Tekken Series) While writing this review I will try not to give so many adjectives like great, awesome, and cool; but it is hard because this game is just so good.

The Story
Fighters are all fighting for a legendary sword called the Soul Edge. This sword is very powerful, but also is supposed to be evil. Each fighter has his or her own reason for wanting to obtain the Soul Edge. Some want to get it so that they can rule the world, others so that they can destroy it so that it will never fall into the wrong hands, and some were just ordered to do so. I like how each fighter has a story this is cool and adds more meaning to the game and also may make you want to beat the game for each character so you can see what happens. If you beat the game in one of the modes you will see a short explanation of what happened to the character through still pictures and writing.

Some of the Characters
Kilik- a warrior with a legendary Kali-Yuga Rod from the Ling Sheng Su Temple.
Xianghua-Girl how is fast and good with a her sword
Maxi-the young leader of pirates
Nightmare-a man who has been transformed by the Soul Edge
Mitsurugi-A samurai who is known as "the Demon" for his fighting style on the battlefield
Taki-women who is dedicated to destroying Demons
Sophitia-Has something to do with Gods
Voldo-Guardian of the Money Pit. Has a very odd fighting style.
Ivy-has a sword that can transform into a whip, this gives you great range
Astaroth-the creation of a heretical order
Even more- there are even more characters you can unlock including the Edge Master, Rock, and Cervantes.

Gameplay: 10
The controls follow your basic fighter controls with buttons for high, middle, and low attacks. Combine buttons to do combinations and special moves. The only problem is that the special moves and longer combinations are harder to use. Especially the special moves that need a second to perform because they will more then often be disrubted. One more problem is that a button masher could beat a more experienced player because all you need to know are some simple combos.

This game has tons of options in gameplay and that is why it got such a high score. You start off with Arcade Mode, VS. Battle Mode, Time Attack Mode, Mission Battle Mode, Survival Mode, Team Battle Mode and Practice. This is not all you can even unlock more options. I'm not going to explain all these to you because some are pretty basic, do you really need me to explain to you what time attack mode is?

Now in case you did not know this isn't your basic hand to hand fighting game you have weapons which means you may have to involve more strategy when your fighting. There are three ways that you can win a match either by knocking out your opponent, getting a ring out, or by having more life left then your opponent when time runs out. Ring outs are okay feature that can be really annoying or your best friend. For example you could be completely dominating a match your opponent hits you for the first time and you fall out of the ring. That really sucks, but on the other hand you could be getting your ars handed to you and you get one lucky blow and win the match. Also ring outs will help make your time attack competition easier.

The rings are normally some type of geometric shape with fire, water, etc. around the ring if you fall out. I like it when I knock my opponent into the water you get to see them fall in and hear a nice splashing sound. I may even watch the replay of this because I enjoy it so much.

Mission Mode
The point of this mode is to complete missions, so that you can gain points, so that you can purchase art cards, which will unlock secrets for you. The missions will put you in many different situations such as you can only defeat your opponent by getting a ring out, your on a skinny walkway you must defeat at least 5 opponents within the time limit without getting hit (you defeat your opponent when you hit them), your poisoned and your life will slowly be drained etc.

Arcade Mode
Fight your way through several opponents until you reach Inferno and battle for the Soul Edge. You can unlock characters through this mode.

Team Battle Mode
Choose up to 8 characters to be on your team an then battle either a friend or the computer's team. You can have a handicap match by giving one or the other person more characters. The person who knocks out the other team wins.

Survival Mode
Defeat as many enemies as you can using a single life bar. This mode is okay just for fooling around and testing your skills. I however didn't like it very much, it just didn't appeal to me. Beating opponent after opponent just got boring.

Graphics: 10
These are really great all the characters are smooth and nicely done. A example of how good the graphics are would be after you win a match they will do a close up on your character and you will say something. When it goes in for that close up you can see a lot of detail like how the hair moves with the wind. Just about everything in this game is well done from the stages to the backgrounds. This game truly showed off what the Dreamcast was capable of.

Sound: 9.5
The characters all have like 8 phrases they say after a win. All these phrases are in Japanese or something with English subtitles. It is cool to hear the people talk in whatever language they are talking in. The only odd thing is you will see like a knight that is probably from like Europe some where speaking Japanese. Hear the clashing of swords, rods, etc. Good overall job on the sound.

Replay Value: 9
Tons of modes to play, lots of things to unlock from characters to alternative outfits, unlock more stages, well designed fighting game will mean a lot of time spent playing this game.

Overall: 9.75
Best fighting game on the Dreamcast. Fun game with great graphics and sound effects. If you own a Dreamcast then you should have this game. The only problem I have with this game is that it is only 2 player. It would have been awesome if you could have a four person melee or they just allowed each person to control half the people in Team Battle.

This is an Epinion for Pika312's A Tribute to Sega W/O. The participants are:
Pika312
Jeremy1456
Horhay
erny3796
LorinSilver
swanton00
rpgguy16
yarrick(me)

If you would like to view Pika312's profile page go to http://www.epinions.com/user-pika312. Like the idea of a Sega Write-Off. How would you like to join one for the Nintendo 64? Go to my profile page for more information.