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Kratos seeking vengeance in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny

by Jason Dobson { Jun 3rd 2009 at 9:00AM }

Namco Bandai must have an entire department dedicated to finding new ways and characters to market with its Soulcalibur brand. Following last year's ballet with the Force, the company has announced that God of War's Kratos will be taking out his frustration on the cast of Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny for the PSP.

What with all of his disemboweling and afternoons on the links, we honestly don't know how everyone's favorite Spartan with a chip on his shoulder fits bickering with Soulcalibur brawlers into his busy schedule. Nevertheless, the Ghost of Sparta will appear as a guest character in the miniaturized fighter. We just hope he's on his best behavior while in someone else's house when Broken Destiny ships later this summer.

See the trailer after the break.

Gallery: Kratos in Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (PSP)

Continued →

Namco scales down Ivy's polygons, not her 'size' for Broken Destiny

by Majed Athab { Jun 1st 2009 at 5:00PM }

Expect the upcoming PSP-exclusive Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny to have less polygons than its console counterpart, Soulcalibur IV; however, this doesn't mean a drop in the quality "visuals" the series has become known for. Namco recently showed off a comparison of the two Soulcaliburs, using Ivy and her voluptuous form to show off the seemingly lossless quality.

It appears that Broken Destiny will use not more than half the polygon count of Soulcalibur IV. The graphical disparities appear to affect clothing textures and shadow/lightning effects most of all. Still, with the PSP's relatively small screen it won't be too noticeable. That, and you'd be looking elsewhere, we think.

Portable Soulcalibur keeps things big

by Andrew Yoon { May 15th 2009 at 7:15PM }

Click Ivy to see more pictures.

As you can see in these new screenshots, Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny isn't giving up the graphical detail found in the console games. No, Ivy is well-endowed with ... polygons. It reminds us that although PSP may be a handheld device, it can pump out truly spectacular graphics so long as developers do the breast they can.

Gallery: Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (PSP)

Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny trailer transcends PSP graphical abilities

by Andrew Yoon { May 5th 2009 at 2:00PM }

Whoa, what kind of demon magic did Namco Bandai use to pull off the graphics of Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny? We know developers are squeezing more and more power out of the aging PSP, but we can't help but be amazed at the fidelity of this handheld game. Could this best Soulcalibur Legends? Oh, we think so.

Gallery: Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (PSP)

One more thing: Soulcalibur Broken Destiny heading to PSP

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 28th 2009 at 8:05PM }

Wait, Namco Bandai wasn't done announcing PSP games. Just an hour after their Tekken 6 announcement, the company also revealed a brand new Soulcalibur game for the handheld. Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny is a PSP-exclusive version of Soulcalibur IV. Gone are the Star Wars bonus characters, but in their stead will be at least one new character: Dampiere.

Broken Destiny will feature all the dressings of a console fighter, with arcade, versus and survival modes. New to the PSP version will be a new single-player mode meant for beginners struggling to learn the intricacies of the battle system. It will function, essentially, as an enhanced tutorial mode.

The PSP version will also feature new lighting effects that allow players to fight in stages at different times of day. Other gameplay components, such as the critical finish and armor destruction are also supposedly improved. Finally, Broken Destiny will offer Ad-Hoc wireless play, although according to Gamespot, Infrastructure might be a possibility. Expect Soulcalibur to hit your no-longer-defunct PSP this summer.

The soul still burns? Namco Bandai registers EXCALIBUR trademark

by Andrew Yoon { Mar 11th 2009 at 11:05PM }

Companies like to keep secrets, hiding their upcoming projects from the general public until the marketing and PR stars align. However, leaks can come from a variety of sources: ESRB database listings, early achievement reveals, and trademark registrations. NeoGAF's Stormbringer has compiled a list of new Japanese trademarks and one entry in particular caught our attention: Namco Bandai's EXCALIBUR.

While the trademark in question could be a reference to the classic story of King Arthur, we can't help but remember another popular Namco Bandai franchise: Soulcalibur (yes, it's one word). Could Namco Bandai be looking into creating a spin-off series of the popular fighting game? An even more dramatic possibility: the franchise will be donning an entirely new name. Let's not forget, the first game in the franchise was called Soul Edge, not Soulcalibur.

Tales of the World gets Soulcalibur-themed DLC

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 18th 2009 at 11:30AM }

The currently Japan-only PSP RPG, Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2, is growing far beyond just the Tales universe. The all-star lineup of Namco Bandai stars expands in new downloadable content, which allows players to get costumes from Soulcalibur and Legend of Valkyrie. According to Siliconera, most of these costumes have been free.

We're pretty certain that Namco Bandai will bring this game over to the US, DLC intact. It seems as though PSP owners will need to get ready for a new era of DLC and microtransactions.

Yoda appearing as Soulcalibur IV DLC, will cost $5

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 17th 2008 at 11:45AM }

SHOCK! Namco Bandai has just announced that Xbox 360's exclusive Soulcalibur IV character, Yoda, will be available as DLC on the PS3. We totally didn't see this coming.

The DLC pack will be available next Thursday, October 23rd, and will cost $4.99. Xbox 360 owners will be able to access the PS3-exclusive character, Darth Vader, for 400 Microsoft Points.

Soul Calibur IV ships 2 million

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 7th 2008 at 5:00PM }

It looks like Yoda and Darth Vader are finally working together. You see, the two Jedi masters have managed to help push 2 million copies of Soul Calibur IV onto the gaming populace. The number accounts for both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 version of the game. We're curious to see which version sold more copies. No, not because we want the Xbox 360 version to succeed, but because we want some new nerd ammunition for the next time we get into the Darth Vader vs Yoda conversation.

[Via Joystiq]

Soul Calibur IV burns two million souls worldwide

by Jason Dobson { Aug 7th 2008 at 3:00PM }

Namco Bandai's ridiculously cross-branded Soul Calibur IV has cut a deep swath into retail shelves worldwide, shipping not one million units but two since its July 29 debut.

Still, and not to make an example out of you, Namco, but really all of this chest puffery over units shipped is a bit overblown. It's like bragging about how many pencils you threw at the ceiling, rather than what's really important, namely how many stuck. Then again, we imagine it's difficult to look up and count while you're ducking under the desk from falling profits.

Snake versus Raiden: the SCIV user generated match

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 29th 2008 at 9:30AM }

The character creation tools of Soulcalibur IV look to be rather robust. Kotaku's CB has created facsimiles of our favorite Metal Gear Solid characters, Snake and Raiden, using the in-game system. While not 100% spot-on, these renders do add a distinct Metal Gear flair to the classic fighter. Seeing these two fighting on the Death Star with Soulcalibur weapons ... well, that's the kind of stuff fanfics are made of.

[Thanks, Gambit07!]

Yoda as DLC for Soulcalibur IV, says Korean PlayStation site

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 28th 2008 at 5:30PM }

Over the weekend, a video of Darth Vader and Yoda fighting each other in Soulcalibur IV was leaked onto the internet (and then it was subsequently pulled). Currently, Darth Vader lives only on the PS3 version, while Yoda lives only on the Xbox 360 version. Could Namco Bandai be planning DLC which unlocks the famed Star Wars characters in both versions? It would make a lot of sense, wouldn't it?

According to the Korean PlayStation site, Yoda will be available for download from the PSN. That sounds like DLC to us. While Namco Bandai hasn't confirmed anything yet, we wouldn't be surprised if Yoda (and who knows what other characters) ended up appearing in Soulcalibur IV.

[Via Siliconera; Image via GamersReports]

Shipping this week: Now with more Yoda edition

by Richard Mitchell { Jul 28th 2008 at 3:45PM }

This is it folks, this week officially marks the release of Soul Calibur IV. You may recall SCIV as the weapons based fighter that features not only ridiculously proportioned female fighters but also Yoda. The Playstation 3 version gets Darth Vader himself, though he may be Force choking his way to the 360 if rumors are to be believed. Also on the release this week are Spectral Force 3 and Summer Athletics The Ultimate Challenge. Spectral Force 3 is a Japanese strategy RPG and Summer Athletics The Ultmate Challenge is ... well, honestly, we have no idea. Looking at the title, we'd say someone is looking to cash in on the Olympic Games.

[Via Joystiq]

Deal of the Day: Soulcalibur IV Hori Fighting Stick $42

by Alan Tsang { Jul 22nd 2008 at 12:15PM }

Those of you who were on the fence about the Soulcalibur Limited Edition Fighting Stick 3 by Hori last month might want to reconsider the peripheral again: the price has been reduced $8 to $41.99. Not too bad for a newly released product.

We are aware there are some higher-end fighting sticks around, but at this price range, this particular one is unbeatable. With Soulcalibur IV arriving in stores a week from today, order one now and you might just have it ready when you bring the game home.

[Via CAG]

Soul Calibur IV demo coming 'down the road'

by Jason Dobson { Jul 17th 2008 at 4:45PM }

Fighting fans hoping for a pre-launch lightsaber throw down will wait until Soul Calibur IV cuts into retail shelves later this month, as Namco Bandai informs us that a demo for the game won't be available until after the game is released.

According to reps manning the company's E3 room, the devs are currently putting all of their effort towards getting the game ready for its release for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on July 29. As for what and when exactly we can expect from the demo when it's finally released, Namco Bandai wouldn't say, teasing only that it'll be available sometime "down the road."