Video Games

Soul Calibur IV

B+For Xbox 360 (PS3 version also available).

Rated for ages 13 and up. $59.

BACK IN THE RING: After devouring the original Soul Calibur, I only dabbled in the two sequels. Returning to the franchise with Part 4, though, it felt as if I'd never left. For gamers who just want more of the same, that's great. But if you're looking for innovation, this isn't the place.

YODA GOES SLUMMING: There's a story in here about mystical swords, but don't worry about that. Pick a character and then go stab and slice your opponent. Jazzing things up a bit is the odd inclusion of Yoda as a playable character in the Xbox 360 version and Darth Vader in the PS3 version. Yoda is a lot of fun – he bounces and flies around just like in the prequel movies – but it's almost impossible to grab and throw him, which gives him a large advantage over other human fighters.

PRESENTATION PROBLEMS: The core gameplay is solid, and the controls will be second nature to Soul Calibur vets. What is annoying, though, is that the melodramatic intros spoken before each match by the master of ceremonies – sort of a medieval Don King – often overlap with each fighter's little trash-talking speech.

BOTTOM LINE: Soul Calibur IV is the franchise's first foray into online duels, but other than that, this is basically a carbon copy of the original title with polished graphics and more characters.

Victor Godinez

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