Soul Calibur 3

[Razor]

If you liked 2...3 will be a dream for you...

[Altl]

Eh? Not really.

I got a chance to finally sit down and play three and I cannot really say I was impressed personally. The game provides some new people which were alright(though the chick with the hula hoop just seems like an accident waiting to happen), but that seems minor compared with all the "bad". The load time is horrible, it takes forever to even scroll through the character selection screen, that is if you want to look at the various characters; you'd think that after they are loaded it'll be faster, but no they have to load again. Then you have the lack of graphics improvement, I try not to complain about graphics, but I expected them to at the very least correct the grain-osity of SCII(v.PS2). I did enjoy some of the new combos though, but it just doesn't seem like it actually constitutes a whole new game.

What exactly did you see in it? I didn't really try the one player stuff, make your own character and such.

[Draxas]

Then basically, Alt, you missed 99% of the appeal.

I had a chance to play a bit on a friend's copy this weekend. I didn't get a chance to try most of the stuff that was there, but I did play Tales of Souls. Let me say, I missed the individualized story modes and character-specific missions that were the core of Edgemaster mode in SoulEdge/Blade, so I'm very pleased they finally brought them back. Then again, it also heralded the return of button combos during story scenes, which were always annoying, but at least the game tells you which buttons to press this time.

I have to admit, though; the load times did seem a bit excessive, and the graphics haven't improved much, if at all, from 2. Then again, I think we're just discussing the limitations of the PS2 at this point, rather than anything that can be controlled. Remember, the game isn't just loading a single character model like it was in 2; instead, it's loading a complete set of custon parts each time, even with a storyline character, since it seems like you can use just about anyone's components to create a custom. It's a little annoying, but forgivable.

I'll probably pick up a copy of my own when the price comes down some.

[Ranger]

anyone care to explain how Sony came about having sole custody of SC3? just a to the highest bidder because of a flop in sales trying to release multiplatform... Surely XBOX would have been able to handle it better. Maybe I just didn't look enough into it and it actually is there for others?

[Razor]

Nope, it's not, and Draxas is right...the grainy look is a limitation of the PS2. There WERE many graphical improvements, and actually, the load times are about the same as in SC2 (discluding battle scenes in Chronicles...but that's understandable because of all the data that has to be loaded in). Character Creation is roughly 75% of the game's appeal, really...

[Draxas]

The exclusivity is an odd thing, and sort of reeks of a "last minute backroom deal" or somesuch between Sony and Namco.

Why would I say something like this? Check out the two "Edit color" costumes for Siegfried. Those looks remind you of a couple of someones? Those of us who have played SSBM should pick up on it right away. Now why would they stick the likenesses of a couple of popular Nintendo characters in a Sony exclusive game? Unless it was never intended to be PS2 exclusive (or the programmers and artists are just having a laugh or making a "subtle" tribute).

Then again, this wouldn't be the first time that one system gets an "exclusive" title in a major franchise, but only for a couple of months, and then the same title is announced for the other consoles (often with extra features!). So, wait and see. I'd be willing to bet that PS2 exclusivity is only temporary.

[Ranger]

ehh well if thats so then I will wait for the hellbox or kiddycube versions

[Altl]

Even with a good single player I can't help but think when I'm playing a fighting game I'm generally not looking to customize as much as I am look for a balanced yet diverse set of characters. As for your argument about the game challenging the ps2's capabilities, I can't help but wonder why games like Teken (5) and Virtua Fighter don't look very grainy and even look better grain aside. As for the load times, I don't remember them being as bad in two, but then again I played it on the Cube primarly, and it is quite possible like Draxas said its not just loading a model this time.

As for it possibly being only a temporary exclusive, it would be nice to see a port to the other systems, since they could perhaps handle the game better. Although, I suspect over the next few months we'll be seeing more and more excessive load times as its a clear sign that the current generation of consoles is on its way out.

[Draxas]

You can bet, at least on a 'Cube version, that the load time would he half as long or less. It's one of the advantages of the minidisc.

I thought Tekken 5 looked like it was pretty much on par with SC3 graphics-wise. Then again, that's the last thing I tend to care about. So long as I can tell what's going on, that typically works for me.

I'd say most of the premade characters are pretty diverse, at least. I only played as a couple of them, so I can't really comment about balance.

The current generation of consoles is only on its way out because there's money to be made by putting the next generation of consoles in. It's like that with every generation. I think the only company that bucks that trend even in the slightest is Nintendo, as they seem to usually release a console only when they have got a real innovation to showcase. I think the main exception to that was the Gamecube. I mean, look at how long it took them to update their basic Gameboy design, and how many other, supposedly superior, handhelds came and went in that time?

If the programmers were given the leave necessary, they could make awesome games for the current set of consoles for years to come; their upper limits haven't even come close to being pushed (except maybe the PS2, but that's because it's way behind the others technologically). But all these companies would rather boost their bottom lines with the "next big thing." I mean, seriously. How much do you think the new batch of consoles (once again, with the possible exception of N, as the Revolution remains a wildcard) is going to change things? We're still going to see the same batch of sequels and copycats as we have with this bunch, which was mainly sequels and copycats of the last batch... It never ends.

But at least you don't have to upgrade your consoles every other week like with a PC.

[niff]

*replies to last sentence*

Yes, it costs more with a PC, but PC versions > inferior bastardised versions of the same game. Console only games still have their appeal though.

[Draxas]

Few PC games are truly workable on a console. That's not opinion, it's historical fact. The same goes for the opposite, really.

I appreciate consoles not only for the lower cost and lack of a necessity for constant upgrades, but also because I won't have to spend hours, days, or longer trying to get a tempermental piece of software to install right or work with some obscure driver somewhere. Besides, I haven't seen anything that really interests me in PC gaming in eons, mainly because my opinion of FPS games is starting to trend towards dislike, and my opinion of MMOs has pretty consistently sat at the bottom of dislike for a long time.

[Ranger]

I know its an online forum but honestly I keep forgetting that you actually have a online capable PC Draxas. I honestly think that PC games can be properly ported but thats me... Everything has a way to be used to the potential of the PC on consoles its just a matter of having a great team

[Draxas]

A great team, infinite money, no release deadline... Which is why most ports fail.

And my "online capable" PC was obsolete out of the box. I couldn't even dream of playing anything that's been released in the past 2 years or so on this machine without some serious upgrades.

[niff]

*soils pants waiting for Oblivion*

[Razor]

On what you said, Draxas, about the "Edit Color" Siegfrieds...I didn't even really look at them. I edited THOSE two pretty much immediately...now my Edit Color 1 looks like Sephiroth, and my 2 looks kinda like a heavy-armor Reno...