Topic: Soul Calibur is a fine example of worst storytelling

[Lumi Kløvstad]

Soul Calibur right? Awesome series of awesome fighters (though as I have previously admitted, I am rubbish at fighting games), with an awesome story.

Trouble is, that story is presented in a pretty awful manner.

Soul Calibur story presentation, in a nutshell:

1) Each character has a storyline, usually completely independent from everyone else's (later games get a little better about this, but they still remain largely independent).
2) None of these storylines are actually canon.
3) You must ALWAYS buy the next game to find out how the last one actually ended, which is always a hodgepodge of the storylines of 2-4 characters storylines.
4) The most important shit (like Nightmare's defeat by Raphael [of all people] in Soul Calibur II) is never actually witnessed in-game, and you spend the entire next game going "when did this happen?" and you're left to puzzle about world changing events that you only hear about in passing mention from other characters, and occasionally, some manner of omniscient narrator.

Whatever epicness the story might have is drowned out by the exceedingly bad storytelling, though admittedly, the fighting game as a genre isn't as readily made for exploring deep storylines like Soul Calibur's, so it takes more effort in this genre. But it always seems like Soul Calibur doesn't try quite hard enough.

That said, the first few games remain awesome, despite getting the worst case of the bad storytelling, especially Soul Blade on Playstation. Despite being only the first crude effort at what would later become a best selling franchise, I hold it to be the best thanks to it's combination of a good combat engine (including breakable weapons), great music from Namco's Khan Super Session (who provided a revamped soundtrack for the console release), and a good story that wasn't too simple or complex.

Discuss.

[VladCT]

You mean someone actually plays it for the storyline? I was only in it to mess around with the character creation system. LOL
Joking aside, from the moment guest fighters from not-so fitting universes (Spawn, the Star Wars characters) start popping in I knew the storyline was not to be taken seriously.

[darkmanx_429]

Still waiting for Soul Calibur X Tekken...

[VladCT]

Pick Heihachi in PS2 SCII or create a character with the Soul of Devil Jin style in SCV. Go nuts.
...Yeah, in all seriousness, a Namco-only crossover fighting game is quite a longshot.

[Sumac]

You mean someone actually plays it for the storyline?

Actually there are a lot of people who interested in Soul series storyline.
However, as it previously stated, Namco's efforts in regard of storytelling in this series usually leave alot to be desired.

[VladCT]

Well, with Namco pulling a SF3 with the characters and only giving a handful of them key roles in the storyline I think many would be disappointed to the point of not caring anymore.

[darkmanx_429]

Well, with Namco pulling a SF3 with the characters and only giving a handful of them key roles in the storyline I think many would be disappointed to the point of not caring anymore.

I dunno....I think after the release of Tekken X Street Fighter happens, at least the door to it could be open. If I ever make it to work for Namco, I will surely throw the idea out there...I've had that idea for little while now I think when I first started seeing the Vs. games so to speak... I think it would be interesting maybe we could do some fan-ideas for a Soul Cailbur X Tekken on a thread..

[VladCT]

Dude, I think you quoted the wrong post.

[Sumac]

On note: many important points about story and characters-whereabouts were explained in the special Collector's Art Book (Japanese only obviously).
Actually SC5 supposed to have much more ambitious story, than the final version. But managers valued their deadlines more than quality.

[crisis]

i hope they put batman in the next game

or captain jack sparrow

[DarkPrinceAlucard]

Dante from DMC would make a nice fit for Soul Calibur IMO.

[Claimh Solais]

Dante from DMC would make a nice fit for Soul Calibur IMO.

Who was supposed to be in Soul Calibur III according to reports, which led to the removal of Kilik's red coat. Reasonings for his removal from the character cast are unknown though.

[DarkPrinceAlucard]

Who was supposed to be in Soul Calibur III according to reports, which led to the removal of Kilik's red coat. Reasonings for his removal from the character cast are unknown though.

Yea I heard about that rumor before it came out.

I was so excited for it at the time and could not wait to see Dante.

Needles to say it was a letdown, but SCIII still turned out to be a great game and the first to introduce the custome character creation which I loved at the time.

So all was forgiven on my end.

[VladCT]

...but SCIII still turned out to be a great game and the first to introduce the custome character creation which I loved at the time.

Fun as it may be (which is kind of stretching it, with the cheap AI and all), it was unbalanced and buggy (hell, it even had a fatal glitch that could kill your memory card). That doesn't really qualify as great on my book.
Though I have to admit I did have fun with the character creation mode, despite the limited parts and somewhat nonsensical clothing-based alignment system.

[DarkPrinceAlucard]

Fun as it may be (which is kind of stretching it, with the cheap AI and all), it was unbalanced and buggy (hell, it even had a fatal glitch that could kill your memory card). That doesn't really qualify as great on my book.
Though I have to admit I did have fun with the character creation mode, despite the limited parts and somewhat nonsensical clothing-based alignment system.

Well my expectations must be lower than yours since I honestly did not find the AI cheap or the game unbalanced and buggy.

It was a step up from SCII in my honest opinion.

All a matter of personal preference really.

To each there own.