Soul blade

Developers: Namco

1-2 Players

This is in my opinion simply the best in beat’m’up action.  Unlike virtually every other fighter on the market the soul blade series gives you the option to fight with a wide range of weapons, which you can hack and slash your opponents with.  These range from samurai swords to gigantic hammers to pikes.  The game play is simplistic enough that new players will want to pick up this game and play while still being challenging.  The story mode is unique in the sense that as each individual character will gain a new weapon which will be different from its predecessor such as greater reach or increased damage inflicted on opponents or the ability to recover your characters health. 

In soul blade the blocking is just as important as the hitting and players have the ability to become very good at this game with a bit of practice, it is not just a case button bashing.  There are hundredths of combos throws, side steeping attacks and counters to master (just like Namco’s other master piece Tekken) which are just oh so satisfying when done correctly.  Soul blades weapon master mode allows you to hone these skills as each round will require you to disable your opponents using a specific technique such as attacking when your opponents in the air or using throws.  The weapons master mode plays like reading a story and will develop into (what I think) is  an enthralling saga which will add to the overall addictive must play feel to the game.

Soul blade like Tekken was originally developed for the arcades and Namco have made a great job in transferring the arcade feel to the playstation, The game is set in lavish 3D arenas with characters which movements are fluidic free flowing considering this game was created alone side Tekken 2 in 1997.  The announcement and voiceovers also retain the all important arcade feel.

However if fault is to be found in this game it is in the lack of playable characters (even though each of the characters have unique abilities, advantages and disadvantages which means all players will be able to find a character to suit their own playing styles) and the slightly repetitive arcade mode.  All in all the uniqueness of this classic game makes it stand out against the reams of hand combat beat’m’ups out there.