SoulCalibur VI

Presentation

SoulCalibur VI is a 3D fighting game centered on weapon-based combat. It revisits the series' foundational events surrounding the two legendary swords, Soul Edge and Soul Calibur, while introducing new characters and narrative elements.

Each fighter has their own weapon, range and style. Swords, spears, staffs, whip-blades and more unusual weapons create very different approaches, while eight-way movement allows players to circle opponents and make full use of the arena.

Reversal Edge is one of the main new mechanics. It allows a fighter to absorb or deflect an offensive before launching a counterattack that can lead into a cinematic clash where both players must anticipate the opponent's response.

Soul Charge uses the Soul Gauge to temporarily strengthen a character. While active, certain attacks become more powerful and new properties can alter the fighter's playstyle.

Critical Edges act as powerful special attacks, while Lethal Hits reward specific actions by opening additional combo opportunities.

The game includes two distinct campaigns. Soul Chronicle follows the stories of the main fighters and revisits the events of the first SoulCalibur from several perspectives.

Libra of Soul uses a more RPG-inspired structure. The player creates their own fighter, travels across a world map, improves equipment and completes different missions centered on a threat seeking to gather fragments of Soul Edge.

Character creation therefore plays an important role. Appearance, equipment and fighting style can be customized using techniques from existing characters, then used in Libra of Soul or certain multiplayer modes.

Alongside its campaigns, SoulCalibur VI also includes traditional versus battles, training and online multiplayer, with casual and ranked matches.

Key points

• A 3D weapon-based fighting game.
• A reinterpretation of the foundational conflict surrounding Soul Edge and Soul Calibur.
• Fighters with their own weapons and distinct styles.
• Eight-way movement allowing players to circle opponents.
• Reversal Edge combining defense and counterattack.
• Soul Charge temporarily strengthens a character.
• Critical Edges serve as powerful special attacks.
• Lethal Hits reward specific actions and open new combo opportunities.
• Soul Chronicle tells the stories of the main fighters.
• Libra of Soul offers a campaign with a created character and RPG progression.
• A full fighter creation and customization system.
• Versus, training and online battle modes.

Conclusion

SoulCalibur VI returns to the foundations of the series while modernizing its combat system with mechanics designed to create more reversals and immediate tactical decisions.

Reversal Edge, Soul Charge and Critical Edge complement the already pronounced differences between each fighter's weapons and styles.

The two campaigns also offer distinct approaches to the universe: Soul Chronicle develops the established cast, while Libra of Soul allows players to create their own warrior and follow a more open adventure centered on Soul Edge.

Good to know

SoulCalibur VI was developed by Project Soul and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.

The game was released on October 19, 2018 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC via Steam.

It uses Unreal Engine 4, a first for the series.

The game features two main story modes: Soul Chronicle, focused on established fighters and the series' foundational events, and Libra of Soul, centered on a player-created character.

Geralt of Rivia, from The Witcher, is included in the base-game roster.

Two Season Passes later add several fighters and additional content, including Tira, 2B, Amy, Cassandra, Hilde, Haohmaru, Setsuka and Hwang. These additions remain separate from the launch content.

Created characters can be used in Libra of Soul as well as in certain online activities.

This entry focuses on the base game, Soul Chronicle, Libra of Soul and the core systems of SoulCalibur VI, without detailing every fighter or downloadable content release individually.