SoulCalibur II

Transcending History and the World, A Tale of Souls and Swords Eternally Retold

Four years have passed since the spirit sword, Soul Calibur, defeated the evil Soul Edge. At the end of that fateful battle, the shards of the shattered Soul Edge were scattered across the world and Soul Calibur was lost to the void. Now, the evil that still resides in the scattered shards of Soul Edge threatens again to engulf the world in darkness.

• Over 15 warriors, both familiar and new, battle each other in search of Soul Edge.
• More than 10 exciting game modes including: Arcade Mode, Time Attack Mode, Survival Mode, VS Mode, and Team Battle Mode.
• Collect and use over 200 weapons and items in the all-new Weapon Master mode.
• Necrid character created by Todd McFarlane Productions exclusively for the home console.
• Unlockable features including characters, costumes, arenas and more.

Heihachi, from the Tekken series, is a special guest appearing exclusively for PlayStation 2.

Source:

Back of Case - PlayStation 2 (Canada/U.S.)

Transcending History and the World, A Tale of Souls and Swords Eternally Retold

Four years have passed since the spirit sword, Soul Calibur, defeated the evil Soul Edge. At the end of that fateful battle, the shards of the shattered Soul Edge were scattered across the world and Soul Calibur was lost to the void. Now, the evil that still resides in the scattered shards of Soul Edge threatens again to engulf the world in darkness.

• Over 15 warriors, both familiar and new, battle each other in search of Soul Edge.
• More than 10 exciting game modes including: Arcade Mode, Time Attack Mode, Survival Mode, VS Mode, and Team Battle Mode.
• Collect and use over 200 weapons and items in the all-new Weapon Master mode.
• Necrid character created by Todd McFarlane Productions exclusively for the home console.
• Unlockable features including characters, costumes, areans and more.

Link, from the Legend of Zelda series, is a special guest appearing exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube.

Source:

Back of Case - GameCube (Canada/U.S.)

Transcending History and the World, A Tale of Souls and Swords Eternally Retold

Four years have passed since the spirit sword, Soul Calibur, defeated the evil Soul Edge. At the end of that fateful battle, the shards of the shattered Soul Edge were scattered across the world and Soul Calibur was lost to the void. Now, the evil that still resides in the scattered shards of Soul Edge threatens again to engulf the world in darkness.

• Over 15 warriors, both familiar and new, battle each other in search of Soul Edge.
• More than 10 exciting game modes including: Arcade Mode, Time Attack Mode, Survival Mode, VS Mode, and Team Battle Mode.
• Collect and use over 200 weapons and items in the all-new Weapon Master mode.
• Necrid character created by Todd McFarlane Productions exclusively for the home console.
• Unlockable features including characters, costumes, arenas and more.

Spawn, the popular comic book character by Todd McFarlane, appears exclusively for Xbox.

Source:

Back of Case - XBox (Canada/U.S.)

The legend will never die...

Soulcalibur’ II is the third instalment in the hugely successful "Soul" franchise. Four years have passed since the release of Soulcalibur, which drew fully upon the concept of 3D weapon-based fighting action game, and it is often called "the best fighting game ever".

Countless legends surround a sword known as Soul Edge. Some claim it was the ultimate weapon. Others refer to it as the "Sword of Heroes." …There are even those who consider it the "Sword of Salvation." Rumours and folklore spread across the world. In reality, Soul Edge was comprised of twin blades that fed on human souls. No one knew that a spirit sword named Soulcalibur appeared from the East, as if to answer the call of the raging Soul Edge. No one witnessed the final battle to the death where Soul Edge was shattered. No one knew that the spirit sword was left behind in the vortex of evil to stop the demon sword's powers. With Soulcalibur lost in the void, it was only a matter of time before the evil sword's dark powers infected the entire world.

Soulcalibur II offers massive refinements in its arena design, offensive and defensive combat and battle tactics, alongside improved character graphics and intuitive controls that could only be delivered by the technical team at Namco.

FEATURES - Most satisfyingly fluid and intuitive control system - The original Soulcalibur's control system was a revolution in its time. Soulcalibur II offers greatly improved controls to deliver the ultimate 3D fighting experience. Using the left stick allows the player to develop his own combat style, taking advantage of horizontal and vertical runs, and fighting moves.

• 19 stunning common characters and exclusive characters on each platform - Soulcalibur II features 19 fighters with totally different fighting styles and moves. 5 unlockable characters add replay value and new challenges. Furthermore, each platform has an exclusive character: Heihachi on the PS2 will be familiar to Tekken fans, while Todd McFarlane's Spawn pays a visit from hell.

• 8 exciting gameplay modes - In Survival mode the player will have a fixed amount of energy from the start; in Team Battle Mode the player chooses a team of characters. Alongside these, Arcade, Time Attack, Practice and the challenging Vs. mode. The Weapon Master Mode allows you to collect up to 200 weapons and equip your characters with them, while collecting experience to improve your game ranking.

• 10 jaw-dropping fighting stages - Fight in the most stunning stages in any beat'em up game. Detailed 3D environments and locations create the perfect surroundings for the most impressive moves and combos.

• Extended gameplay time - The gameplay offered by Soulcalibur II is extended by the addition of a large number of hidden features such as extra gameplay modes, fighting stages, characters and weapons.

• Different packaging and logos for each platform - The game will have different packaging for PlayStation®2 and Xbox’, emphasising the different guest characters and increasing the collection value of the pack.

Source:

Electronic Arts UK website - PlayStation 2

Wieder Da: Das beste Kampfspiel aller Zeiten!

Erlebe das Abenteuer im bewaffneten Kampf gegen eine Vielzahl von Feinden: beweg dich durch noch bessere Kampfarenen und kämpf dich vor bis zur endgültigen Vernichtung des Schwert des Bösen.

• Flüssige und intuitive Steuerung, die eine volle Nutzung der 3D-Umgebung ermöglicht

• Mit 13 historischen Kampffiguren und komplett neuen Kriegern, u.a. Necrid, eine Neuentwicklung von Tod McFarlane Productions Inc., und Heiachi aus der Tekken-Serie

• Spannende Spielarten wie Team Battle, Arcade Time Attack, und Versus plus brandneuem Waffenmeister-Modus, mit dem du 200 Waffen zur Ausrüstung deiner Figuren sammeln kannst

Source:

Back of Case - Playstation 2 (German)

Soul Calibur II ist der dritte Teil der erfolgreichen "Soul"-Reihe. Vier Jahre sind seit der Veröffentlichung von Soul Calibur vergangen und nun endlich erscheint das 3D- Waffen-Beat-Em-Up, das häufig als "das beste Kampfspiel aller Zeiten" bezeichnet wird, für die Next Generation Konsolen.

In der zweiten Hälfte des 16.Jahrhunderts gehen Gerüchte um ein böses Schwert durchs Land, das in einer blutigen Schlacht verschwand und Jahre später wieder erwachte. Vor diesem Hintergrund kämpft der Spieler in zehn fantastischen Arenen.

Soul Calibur II bietet zahlreiche Verbesserungen am Arena-Design, Offensiv- und Defensivkämpfe sowie Kampftaktiken. Darüber hinaus wurden die Charaktergrafiken und die Steuerung vom erfahrenen Technikerteam bei Namco enorm verbessert.

Features: * Nachfolger des besten Beat"em Ups aller Zeiten * Mehr als 200 Waffen und Gegenstände mit ihrer eigenen Geschichte * Flüssige und intuitive Steuerung * 10 fantastische Kampfarenen * 8 aufregende Spielmodi * 19 atemberaubende plattformübergreifende Charaktere * Gaststars in der Xbox-Version sind Necrid und der Comic- und Filmheld Spawn

Source:

www.electronic-arts.de - PlayStation 2/Xbox

Welcome to the Stage of History

With beautiful graphics and refined gameplay, Namco's weapons-based fighting game beats all expectations. The gorgeous result is a fighter for the ages.

Get ready for a battle of the ages. A wide-ranging cast of 20 fighters is available. The Nintendo GameCube version features an exclusive special guest: a sword-wielding Link from the Legend of Zelda series!

These combatants venture forth from distant times, places and dimensions in pursuit of an evil and powerful blade known as the Soul Edge. This epic tale unscrolls throughout the game, but no background is necessary to enjoy the intense fighting action.

Roster of Champions

Each character has at least two outfits (Link has four) and 11 unique weapons. Museum mode tells more about each character.

Astaroth

Age: 7
Height: 6'8";
Origin: Unknown
Default Weapon: Giant Ax

Cassandra
Age: 21
Height: 5'5";
Origin: Athens
Default Weapon: Short Sword

Ivy
Age: 32

Height: 5'10";
Origin: London
Default Weapon: Valentine (Ivy Blade)

Kilik
Age: 23
Height: 5'6";
Origin: Unknown
Default Weapon: Kali-Yuga

Link
Age: Unknown

Height: Unknown
Origin: Hyrule
Default Weapon: Master Sword

Maxi
Age: 28
Height: 5'8";
Origin: Syuri
Default Weapon: Nunchaku

Mitsurugi
Age: 29
Height: 5'7";

Origin: Japan
Default Weapon: Katana

Necrid
Age: Unknown

Height: 6'5";
Origin: Unknown
Default Weapon: Enigma

Nightmare
Age: Unknown
Height: 5'6";
Origin: Unknown

Default Weapon: Soul Edge

Raphael
Age: 32
Height: 5'9";

Origin: France
Default Weapon: English Rapier Sword

Taki

Age: 29
Height: 5'7";
Origin: Japan
Default Weapons: Ninja Swords

Talim
Age: 15
Height: 4'8";
Origin: Southeast Asia
Default Weapons: Lokia Luha and Syi Salika

Voldo
Age: 50
Height: 6'1";
Origin: Naples
Default Weapon: Katars

Xianghua
Age: 20
Height: 5'0";

Origin: Peking
Default Weapon: Chinese Sword

Yunsung

Age: 18
Height: 5'9";
Origin: Chi-Ri san
Default Weapon: Chinese Sword

The following characters can only be unlocked in Weapon Master mode.

Cervantes
Age: Stopped at 48

Height: 5'9";
Origin: Spain
Default Weapons: Soul Edge and Nirvana

Charade
Age: Unknown
Height: Varied

Origin: Unknown
Default Weapon: Charade

Seung Mina

Age: 23
Height: 5'4";
Origin: Chi-Ri san
Default Weapon: Zamba-toh

Sophitia
Age: 25
Height: 5'6";

Origin: Athens
Default Weapon: Short Sword

Yoshimitsu

Age: Unknown
Height: 5'7";
Origin: Unknown
Default Weapon: Katana

The Soul Still Burns

The original Soul Calibur, for the now-defunct Sega Dreamcast, received acclaim from both fans and critics. As expected, this sequel has more fighters and more game modes, but the fighting system has also been beefed up with hundreds of moves.

Controls are fully customizable, but the default scheme allows for smooth combos and lightning-fast evasions. Learning the basics is simple and intuitive, but mastering each character's style and special moves takes dedication.

Militant Modes

The main action is in the Arcade Mode, in which you guide one fighter through a tension-packed series of battles, ultimately squaring off against a boss character named Inferno. Team Attack and Time Attack modes pit you against multiple enemies. Exquisitely balanced gameplay makes the Vs. mode one of the top two-player modes ever. Learn your chops and hacks in Practice mode.

Weapon Master stirs in substantial role-playing elements. In this mode, you can collect and equip up to 200 different character-specific weapons. You'll fight hundreds of battles and earn Gold to buy weapons, new art and costumes.

You'll also earn Experience to achieve new rankings that are great for bragging rights. The lavish variety of objectives and unlockable content will keep you thrusting and slashing for quite some time.

Weapons differ greatly in their damage effects, ranges and effect depend on the attacker's strength. Some will even drain your own health while dealing extra damage to your foe.

Mastering each weapon in relation to each fighter's unique physical traits gives Soul Calibur II its tremendous depth of strategy. Plus, it's just awesome to see Link swing his Megaton Hammer!

Graphics

Whether they're realistic martial arts attacks or gravity defying flips, each move looks smooth and lifelike. Idle animations and transitions from one move to the next have all been executed with painstaking detail that is sure to wow onlookers.

Environments are equally detailed and feature fantastic vistas and premier lighting effects. Radically differing sizes and configurations of arenas dramatically affect strategy. Some arenas have fearsome drop-offs to bottomless pits or walls that you can pin your opponent against.

Galleries showcase character art, weapons and choreographed demonstrations.

Soul Calibur II delivers a refined and balanced battle system with beautiful graphics. The Weapon Master mode rewards you with great unlockable content. The multiplayer battles are excellent too.

Be sure to check out nintendo.com's art work and screen shot sections for a tantalizing taste of this great game!

Source:

www.nintendo.com – Nintendo GameCube

Transcending History and the World, A Tale of Souls and Swords Eternally Retold

Four years have passed since the spirit sword, Soul Calibur, defeated the evil Soul Edge. At the end of that fateful battle, the shards of the shattered Soul Edge were scattered across the world and Soul Calibur was lost to the void. Now, the evil that still resides in the scattered shards of Soul Edge threatens again to engulf the world in darkness.* Over 15 warriors, both familiar and new, battle each other in search of Soul Edge. * More than 10 exciting game modes including: Arcade Mode, Time Attack Mode, Survival Mode, VS Mode, and Team Battle Mode. * Collect and use over 200 weapons and items in the all-new Weapon Master mode. * Necrid character created by Todd McFarlane exclusively for the home console. * Unlockable features including characters, costumes, arenas and more.

Link, from the Legend of Zelda series, is a special guest appearing exclusively for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE.

Source:

Back of Case - GameCube (UK)

• 13 historic fighters plus all new combatants, including
  Necrid, specially designed by Todd McFarlane
  Productions, Inc.
• Unique special guest fighters for each platform include
  Link, Heihachi and Todd McFarlane’s Spawn.
• 7 exciting modes of play, including Arcade, Versus, Time
  Attack, Survival, Team Battle, Practice and Weapon
  Master.
• Collect 200 different weapons in the all new,
  mission–based Weapon Master mode.

Source:

www.namcobandaigames.com

Journey back to a time where the finest warriors from across the globe violently clashed in one-on-one combat to claim a mythical prize

Namco's Soul series makes its stunning debut on PS2 with Soul Calibur II, the third and by far the finest instalment yet. Choose from an array of exquisitely designed characters, from samurai to blind, bondage gear-loving oddities, and do battle on the new stage of history for Soul Edge, a mighty blade with incredible dark powers. As you'd expect from the creators of Tekken, SCII offers a level of depth beyond that seen in most games of its ilk, although this doesn't make it any less accessible for the casual player. In fact, we'd challenge anyone not to pull of a move within the first few minutes of playing that won't elicit at least a small gasp of delight. Not that we're advocating button bashing or anything, but hey - everyone's got to start somewhere.

Supplementing the typical Arcade, Survival, Time Attack modes for solo players is Weapon Master, a lengthy jaunt through the Soul Calibur world where you can locate and purchase a variety of extra weaponry for every fighter. As ever, though, the real testing ground for your skills is the two-player Versus mode, home to some of the most thrilling clashes between human opponents ever. If you've pining for some quality, no-nonsense fighting action on your PS2, Soul Calibur II delivers the goods with aplomb.

Soul Blade and Soul Calibur fans will be pleased to learn that a number of familiar faces return to the fray once more, including katana-wielding samurai Mitsurugi, ninja vixen Taki, rod-swinging Kilik and the owner of Soul Edge himself, Nightmare. They're joined by a number of new faces, including arrogant French fencer Raphael, the youthful-but-deadly Talim, green demon Necrid (designed by comic book guru Todd McFarlane), Hwang's protégé Yunsung and Sophitia's kid sister Cassandra. Tekken mainstay Heihachi Mishima also makes a PS2-only appearance and proves that the King of Iron Fist isn't just a name - how else could he block razor-sharp blades with just his bare hands? Of course, being a Namco fighter, SCII isn't without its fair share of unlockable characters, although we'll leave it up to you discover who they are.

You'll find many of them tucked away in the vast world of Weapon Master, which does away with the quick fix entertainment of the standard Arcade mode in favour of a lengthier - and ultimately more fulfilling - quest for your warriors. Although it features plenty of textual narrative to add context to your travels, Weapon Master is essentially about defeating opponents under an increasingly difficult set of conditions and imaginative stipulations. This can be anything from battling while poisoned to defeating six opponents consecutively in just 100 seconds. Aside from new fighters, you'll also earn valuable gold, which can be used to obtain various death-dealing implements with unique characteristics that can both hinder and aid your pursuits. For example, a weighty new rod for Kilik may inflict more damage on your adversary, but the effort it takes to use it also results in a minor loss of energy. As you can imagine, completion of certain missions can rely on your ability to select the right weapon for the right occasion.

For a console with such a vast catalogue of games, it's perhaps surprising that PS2 has encountered such a relative dearth of quality fighters. Soul Calibur II may not redress the balance - it is only one game after all - but it makes a damn good effort of doing so. After you've witnessed the gorgeous environments, meticulously detailed characters and, most importantly, got to grips with its fast-paced, multi-faceted combat, we're sure you won't be longing for another beat 'em up for quite some time. This Soul most definitely still burns.

• Earn new weapons for each character in the challenging Weapon Master mode
• Seven new fighters, including PS2-exclusive warrior Heihachi
• Thousands of moves and combos to master
• Sumptuously-detailed arenas and unparalleled character animation

Source:

uk.playstation.com

Soul Calibur® II is the ultimate sequel to one of the most revered weapons-based fighters of all time. Improved gameplay, state-of-the art graphics, and exclusive Xbox features make it the must-have fighting game for 2003.

In addition to new and returning souls, Soul Calibur® II also features a console-exclusive guest character for each platform; the Xbox features McFarlane's Spawn®! And, now, in addition to arcade-perfect gameplay modes, the new Weapon Master mode enables players to fight in different missions to collect more than 200 unique weapons! Each weapon possesses unique attributes that add an element of strategy to every battle for hours and hours of fun.

• More than 15 Warriors: Familiar and new warriors battle it out for the ultimate sword, Soul Edge.
• Spawn: An added character you'll find only on Xbox.
• Necrid: Created by Todd McFarlane, Necrid is a special character found only on console versions of the game.
• More than 10 exhilarating game modes:Including Arcade, Time Attack, Survival, Versus, and Team Battle modes.
• More than 200 collectible weapons and items:Win fights to collect unique weapons in the all-new Weapon Master mode.
• Unlockable features: Including characters, costumes, arenas, and more.

Source:

www.xbox.com

The best fighting game ever is back!

Experience the thrill and fluidity of weapons-based combat against a wide range of enemies, enjoy massively refined fighting arenas, and fight your way to the final destruction of the evil sword

• Fluid and intuitive control system, which allows for full use of the 3d environment

• 13 historic fighters plus all new combatants including Necrid, specially designed by Todd McFarlane Productions, Inc., and Heihachi from the Tekken series.

• Exciting gameplay modes like Team Battle, Arcade, Time Attack, Versus and the all new Weapon Master mode, where you can collect 200 weapons to equip your characters

Source:

Back of Case - PlayStation 2 (UK)