First off, Soul Calibur III is now PlayStation 2 exclusive. The reason for this move to just one console is simply, who knows. There are only a few new characters, with many familiar faces to reprise. The engine seems relatively the same, with a lack of environment interaction. Lastly, there is no online play whatsoever! Funniest thing about that is the game mode called World Competition Mode that does not allow you to 'really' compete against the world. What you do get that is totally new is a mode that acts like a real time simulation…wait…this is a fighting series right? Like it or not, this is your new Soul Calibur title, and agree or disagree with what I'm about to say in this review, the end result is underwhelming.

Visually Soul Calibur III looks just as nice, if not a touch nicer than its predecessors do. The use of progressive scan helps to improve the visuals, giving the game a very clean and vibrant look. Your favorite characters are back, and have received the typical makeover with new outfits and some new hairstyles. Animations for these characters are extremely fluid and life like, and the glimmering special effects really provide that needed "oomph" that most fighters lack now a days. The game has always favored brilliant lighting, and in Soul Calibur III , this is no different. The arenas are beautifully designed, varied in creation and use dramatic lighting to catch the eye. The game provides a wonderful presentation, from the opening CG movie, to the in-game story cut scenes, to the easy to navigate menus. Actually the weakest visuals come in the new game mode, Chronicles of the Sword, where the over world map and characters are lacking in detail and animate poorly. For the most part, if you are a fan of the series, you will get what you expect with this game visually. Something old, something new, but overall, it is Soul Calibur.

Audio remains faithful to the series, which means a very good musical score, strong announcer voice, and weak English translated character dialog. Thankfully, the inclusion of a Japanese language option complete with subtitles will give gamers a choice between pleasure and pain.

Gameplay is the heart of the series, and many will agree that there is no equal to Soul Calibur when it comes to one on one weapon fighting action. True to the series, the game is easy to play, tough to master, and incredibly addicting. The multiplayer action is the core to the series, and SC3 is no different as you will be taking down friends and loved one for hours on end until you have to rest from the results of blisters or carpel tunnel. Another familiarity is the single player fighting when it concerns the A.I. The CPU is quick, cunning, and most importantly, the end battles and final bosses are incredibly cheap bastards! No amount of time in the practice mode can prepare you for this cruelty, so you just have to go in head first, and hope you can break the enemy before you do the controller. I'd love to say that there is a ton of new moves and strategies to learn, but honestly, besides the 3 new characters, the game may end up feeling a bit too familiar in the one-on-one and story modes.

Gamers will find variance in the new Chronicles of the Sword mode. Trying to mimic the likes of Koei, this mode is a real time strategy game, if albeit a slow moving and watered down one. You begin by creating your character; you can customize everything from their head to their toes. Granted, the engine is very shallow, so don't expect something out of a sports or wrestling game when it comes to customizing your fighter. Once you have made and named your hero, you go through some text briefing and on to a map screen. Here you control your movements and units in real time. When you come in contract with a foe, you skirmish. With a boss, you control the battle. Your goal is to complete each chapter, destroy your foe and collect lots of gold. This mode unfortunately takes away from the Soul Calibur III experience and feels like a totally different game completely, if not a very bad game.

Thankfully, this mode is only one of many, and the rest of the game modes incorporate the classic Soul Calibur fighting engine. I mean, that is what we pay our fifty dollars for anyway, a Soul Calibur game, not Soul Calibur Tactics! The Tales of the Sword mode has you choosing a character and battle as your story unfolds. The World Competition Mode is a mode of a higher level of competitiveness and for veterans of the series who has the skills. You tour around a fantasy world obtaining prizes and prestige by stringing together impressive victories against the best players in the 'virtual' world.

Overall, Soul Calibur III is not going to blow anyone's doors off. The new modes are weak, there is no online play, and with only 3 new characters, the game will begin to feel too similar after a few short hours of game play. The lasting appeal will merit on if you have a few friends to invite over to pound on, as the multiplayer is really the only reason to shell out 50 dollars for this version. The end result is the same old song and dance, which to some isn't a bad thing, but to others isn't enough.