Soul Calibur has been a series of fighters that started its console run on the Sega Dreamcast. Following a perfect formula of combat with ridiculous looking swords that kick ass. The Soul Calibur franchise suffered a bit of a bump with Soul Calibur 2 and 3, and unfortunately that dip continues with Soul Calibur IV for 360 and PS3. (I own the PS3 version).
I'm not saying its a bad game, because its not. It's not a bad game at all. The inclusion of Online play is probably the best thing about the whole package. You can also play as the Apprentice from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Yoda(360) or Darth Vader(PS3). While Vader and the Apprentice can be somewhat cheap characters, but they still have weaknesses and can be beaten through regular play. Yoda on the other hand, is so short, you can barely even hit him. His attacks are fast, so dont expect to hit him as much when he jumps up to attack you.
The controls i feel are better on the PS3 version rather than the 360 version. I had the chance to try out both and attacking and guarding felt more responsive on the Sixaxis/DualShock3 controller rather than the XB360 Controller. Although those who own SCIV on 360 have probably gotten used to the controls by now.
Characters have been gimped when it comes to attacks. Seong Mina is no longer as fast as she was in 3, neither is Talim. But to those people who are used to playing these characters have a sigh of relief in Amy. She fast, and her attacks can take off a lot of damage due to juggling. But she is weak. So its a double edge sword there.
Then, there are the boobs. That have been WAY overdone. Ivy's boobs are scary looking and her body figure is, at best, abnormal. She looks alright when youre playing in a fight, but that loading screen and that post. my god... it just dosent go.
Character creation is limited, but its better than 3's. Now the armor you put on your character can boost its stats; from HP to special abilities. Even one to nullify a ring out... if only everyone had that... or if the game had more levels with WALLS. Still winning by Ring Out is usually cheap and does not feel good at all.
Tower of Lost Souls reminds me of Bloody Palace in Devil May Cry. Its pretty much the same. You fight, you ascend, you fight more. Only in this mode, you can unlock treasures which can be from Honor(achievements) or extra knick-nacks in the character creater mode. Story mode is a tad short with only 5 stages and a boss who is the biggest pushover i have ever fought against, but its a great way to earn Gold; which is what you need to deck your character out in armor and stats, even buy the art in the Museum.
For my closing comments. Soul Calibur IV is just another Soul Calibur IV. Your friends who know nothing of the game can still beat you by mashing buttons, cheap wins due to ring outs, a limited character creation, a short story mode, etc. But it does so many improvements to actually balance the gameplay and the fact that you can beat your friends from the comfort of your own home with online play, just makes it a better game. It aint perfect, but it still deserves my score.
4 out of 5 stars.