Soul Calibur IV Premium Edition

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wear it instead.

2. Code for in-game material: Very straightforward instructions for entering the code in the Playstation network (internet connection required, of course). It didn't exactly specify what was given, and I didn't bother to go through each character model to look for them, but if you're a completist and need every available costume and look, well, there you go!

3. "Art Book": As another reviewer said, this one's a negative. The picture shown in Amazon shows a hardcover book, and it's supposed to be an Art Book, according to the description, but it's only half that. The first half of the book is a short, but decent, comic, about SC, and introduces a couple new characters you'll find in the game (no, not Darth Vader). Basically, if you got a regular cheap comic (since it's black and white), and shrunk it down to the size of 7 by 5, that's the first half of this "art book". The second half does indeed have some drawings of SOME of the characters. I would have thought that they would have at least included pics of all characters, but oh, well.

4. Tournament bracket card: I've never been to a SC tournament, so I have no idea if this is a replica or if there's any significance. Just a plastic card, no use for me.

5. Metal box: Nice, everything fits into it, its closure snaps okay. You can probably use it as a candy dish or something.


Overall: Is this a good package? Yes. Is it worth the extra 20 bucks? I would say so, the Tshirt by itself is mostly worth it, the comic/art book is worth 2 bucks, and the case, additional content (costumes) and that nifty card is just extra dressing.

I'd recommend this Edition over the regular edition, especially if any of the extra items are things you'd care for. If not, you're not losing out too much by buying the regular edition. Either way, I'd get the game, though, because graphically, the game is very good. Cutscenes are also good, and the stories are okay.

Soul Calibur IV Premium Edition

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to life while they're flying across the screen trying to pummel each other. I'm also glad that many (if not all) of the moves I remember from the original game are here as well for those returning characters, along with new moves to master.


THE BAD:
Graphics! (None)

Characters! Okay, see above. The same thing that makes this game's characters interesting is exactly what has me rolling my eyes. Sometimes I don't know if I'm playing Soul Calibur or Dead or Alive 'Beach Volleyball'. Sheesh.

However, I'd rather see DD's flying across the screen than the insanity that is Star Wars characters let loose on my fav fighting game. I'm all for people making $$ off of their creations but COME ON, George. And to top it all off, Vader (PS3 version) and his apprentice seem to have an uncanny ability to slash right through all kinds of blocks and if my eyes don't deceive me, seem a little quicker than the other characters. I really wish they hadn't included this franchise in the game, but what can you do?

Gameplay! My major complaint here, is the lack of response we both experienced while trying to stop combos of the opponent. Rolling out of the way works best if you're already hit and down, but don't think you're going to go into a block once someone lands a blow. Also, I think the game modes--arcade in particular--are too short and in that case especially, don't give the player much, if any, satisfaction once it's beaten (I remember the goregous cut scenes from the original). It was just 'back to the character select screen you go'. Oh, and it's nit-picking, but it just irks me that you can actually beat someone by just kicking them in the shins. C'mon.


THE UGLY:
Amazon's "Get it on release day!" hype. I know it has nothing to do with the game itself, and no I didn't take a star for that (although I should), but to allow pre-orders even after you know you've surpassed the number of units available to ship on relase day is just plain wrong. I suffered the same disappointment as the other reviewer here, and let Amazon know that was NOT ok. I guess this shouldn't impact anyone now but shame on Amazon for poor customer service (they tried to make it up to me, but only after the fact). Oh, and where's the art book? They don't mean that little comic book, do they?? That's not what's in the pic above, either. O well...

I need to go beat up on something with a big demonic sword, so excuse me.