It's not a shock to see that after the capable videogames.com critic had given Soul Calibur a 10, there was a legion of reader reviews to do the same. I mean, the game is impressive, no doubt about that. The graphic integrity alone is not supposed to be technologically possible for another 5 years. But of course, Namco again pulls of a technological masterpiece, fitted with intense and very enthralling gameplay, however I feel, although the perfect fighting game, it is not a perfect GAME, although I'm definite hate-mail is sure to follow if my e-mail can be grasped.
The game mechanics are shot for shot perfectly conversed from the arcade version, with the addition of Internet mode, mission mode, like that of the Edge master mode in Soul Blade, and a myriad of others. Yes, it's expected from Namco, I would have never found myself playing Tekken three for so long without the additional modes. But, like all do, this fighting game will tire after immense playing time, despite the technological and gameplay advancements.
The graphics is sheer utter magnificence. My eyes were bleeding at the first sight of this game. The light sourcing, the character details, the level and background details, all brilliant. Just watching Astaroths cone of hair sway back and forth in the wind made my jaw drop in awe.
And, the full orchestral scores from the arcade are intact, as I'm guessing there are more, although I've never played the arcade enough to know.
This is the game I had decided to pre-book for when my Dreamcast hits shores here. I'm sure it will be impressive here as well, as long as everything remains the way the import had (not like Rival Schools had) and I'm sure it will be a million seller within two months of sale time, because it truly is what the Dreamcast promised to be, A technological achievement? Oh yes. It's also hella cool. {SCORE: 9.3/10}
-Elias Benmergui[source:videogames.com]