Before we get into the specifics, let's lay out the basics. Soulcalibur IV, like its predecessors, is a one-on-one, 3D fighting game that pits heroes and villains against each other as they use an assortment of deadly weapons, like swords, axes, whips and staffs. Soulcalibur is a rather deep title with a host of different gameplay mechanics, including holds, counters, parries, armor deformation and Critical Finishes. Although we'll touch on the Critical Finishes in a moment, we'll summarize by saying that there's a lot to do in this fighter and it's a lot of fun.
The two versions of Soulcalibur are identical to each other, except for the included Star Wars bonus character. As you may or may not know, Darth Vader will be showing his helmeted head in the PS3 version and the green master Yoda will be leaping about in the 360 version. Otherwise, you'll be getting the same gameplay experience on either platform, though you will be able to perform an optional install on the PS3 version which takes up a little over two gigs.
We played the PS3 version and were pleased to see that there were no more framerate issues that had popped up in previous builds. In the past, the 360 seemed to have the upper hand, but the playing field looks even now, which is good.
Before jumping into a match, we decided to play around with the Character Creation system. We were really impressed at the number of different options players will have for creating their own warriors. To start, you choose your fighter's gender and then set a few basic attributes like moral alignment, focuses and basic character types. The system then auto-generates a character for you to work off of, so you can jump into the editor proper once you have your template.
You can then adjust the character's physique (including the amount of muscle definition), adjust their hair style, facial type, skin color and other various attributes. Once these basic elements are in place, you can completely customize their armor set, weapon type and even voice (and vocal pitch). There are other more detailed traits we couldn't fully explore, like the skill system, but the main foundation for your fighter can be any of the Soulcalibur characters (besides the Star Wars ones). Your creation will simply mirror the actions and behaviors of the selected fighter.
After spending some time in Character Creation, we had fun performing the Critical Finish moves of several different characters. These techniques are spectacular, brutal attacks that can be executed under special circumstances. You must first destroy one piece of your opponent's armor and then wear their Soul Gauge down completely. After you knock them back one last time, you just need to hit all four face buttons to pull off the move. From what we saw, each move "teleports" both fighters to a different arena and you proceed to perform some flashy moves in an over-the-top sequence. For example, Vader's Critical Finish sent a lightsaber dancing through the air, slashing the opponent in a flurry of red shadows. We think these moves add a dramatic (and showy) tone to the game.